How DnD Combat Works: Rounds and Turns Explained

Combat and time sensitive moments in D&D 5e are split into turns ordered in rounds for ease of running.

A DnD round of combat take 6 seconds to complete. During one round of combat we assume each person is acting and moving concurrently.

We split the round so each player and opponent gets a turn. Then, everyone rolls a dexterity based check called Initiative to see what order they take their turns in.

In this post I’ll be breaking 5e D&D turns down into their individual parts, and explaining what options and limits you have for each.

So how do DnD turns work?

Each turn lasts six seconds (the length of a round) and can be split into five parts:

Action      -      Bonus Action      -      Free object interaction      -      Dialogue      -       Movement

I’ll also cover special movements and reactions at the end.

You can usually choose to do one of each of the five parts of your turn and in any order. 

Find out how they work below:

What can I do as part of an Action in DnD combat?

An action is usually the main part of a characters turn in combat. Unsurprisingly there are a lot of options to choose from.

Most often, an action is used to make a weapon attack or to cast a spell.

You may have the option of class specific actions such as a Druid’s Wildshape (Circle of the Land) or a Cleric’s Channel Divinity.

Another option could be to use your action to activate a magic item (for example to activate a Ring of the Ram and hit someone in the face with a spectral sheep).

But that's not all you can do!

You could decide to use your action to do make checks that can be done within 6 seconds. That might be a thieves tools check to pick a lock, an investigation check to look for traps and more.

If that’s not enough to choose from I’m here to offer other options too.

These are:

Holding an Action

You may hold an action for a specific trigger, using your reaction to complete this.

A mage may cast a spell and hold it, waiting for the perfect line of sight before releasing.

A rogue in a party fleeing may hold their action until the last ally is out of the tunnel before pulling the lever to collapse it behind them.

What can I do with a Bonus Action in DnD?

Various class features, spells, and other abilities let you take an additional, smaller action on your turn called a bonus action.

Not all characters will have these, and their use often varies.

Commonly seen options are a Rogue’s Cunning Action, a Bard’s Inspiration, a Barbarian’s Rage and bonus action spells like Healing Word.

You may also be able to activate some magic items with a Bonus Action, like the Boots of Speed.

Bonus actions are not interchangeable with actions. You cannot use your action to do a bonus action or vice versa.

What is a Free Object Interaction?

You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you chase after an enemy or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.

If you want to have two interactions in one turn though, you’ll have to use an action.

It is common for DM’s to upgrade some Free Actions to an Action if it makes sense. For example, a door stuck in its frame that needs a bit more welly may be a full action to break open.

How much can I talk on my turn?

During your turn you are “able to communicate however you are able, through brief utterances and gestures, as you take your turn” (Players Hand Book: Chapter 9).

I tend to rule it at my tables that you can get six seconds of dialogue out during your turn. Remember though - all turns are technically happening concurrently so it is not possible for characters to continue a protracted conversion over multiple turns.

DnD Movement Explained

As part of their movement a character can move up to the distance written on their movement speed. This can happen at any point during their turn and can be split up. For example, with a 30 ft movement speed as part of their turn a character could:

• move five feet closer to an ally
• cast Healing Word as a bonus action
• then move ten feet up into melee range with an enemy
• use an action to bonk them on the head
• then move ten feet towards a door
• Use object interaction to open the door
• Use last five feet of movement to get to the other side

How do Special Movements work in DnD?

You can also use your movement to climb, swim or crawl but, unless you have a climbing or swimming speed, you’ll only be able to move half the distance you normally could.

For climbing difficult surfaces like sheer cliff faces or buildings, as the DM you may want to ask for an athletics check. The same if they are trying to swim in strong currents or rough waters.

Using your movement to jump.

This is one of the only times your strength score (not the modifier) will come up in game! Provided the character takes a 10 ft run up, they can make a long jump = to their strength score (usually between 6-18 ft).

Each foot of movement that the character jumps is a foot of their movement for their turn used up.

A dwarf with a strength score of 15 and a movement speed of 25 ft could use 10 ft of their movement for a run up, then 15 ft of movement in their leap forwards across a fissure, landing with 0 ft to spare.

If a character wants to make a standing jump, they can jump a distance of half their strength score.

What are Reactions?

Reactions don’t have to happen as part of your turn but they can do and are certainly worth mentioning!

A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind. It can happen on your turn or someone else’s.

The most commonly seen reaction is the Attack of Opportunity.

Basically, if two combatants are engaged in melee and then combatant B turns and runs out of range, combatant A is allowed to use their reaction to make a single melee attack at their fleeing enemy.

Other examples of reactions could be a Rogue’s Uncanny Dodge or releasing a spell cast as part of a held action.

So in summary … there’s a lot of options!

It can take a bit to get into the swing of things and understand what you are able to do on your turn. It can be helpful to have a little tick list in front of you with Action, Bonus Action, Movement, Free object interaction and dialogue to remind you.

I also recommend preparing yourself with a few “backup” actions to take for when you can’t decide and are caught in analysis-paralysis under pressure.

My go-to’s are the ready action and the dodge action.

Dodging is always a solid choice as it gives enemies disadvantage when they try hit you.

It’s a great option to keep your character safe and combat moving as you think.

So there we have it! I hope this has been helpful and made turns in DnD combat a bit easier to grasp. Now go forth and get rolling! 

 

Hi! I'm Annabelle! I'm the author of this blog and a huge nerd!

I also make magnetic, double-sided, modular dungeon tiles!

My DnD terrain contains secret spinning magnets so that each piece snaps instantly to every other. They even come in a box disguised as a spellbook to store away on your bookshelf!

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