Probably the most common house rule of Dungeons & Dragons: Throwing potions as a bonus action. Baldur’s Gate 3 also has this rule, and now the official rulebook is buckling
A new version of the current rulebook, i.e. the5th edition of Dungeons & Dragonswill be released at the end of 2024. A special event for the fans, as Wizards of the Coast celebrates the 50th anniversary of the pen&paper.
A lot is already known about the new player’s guide, the two D&D game designers Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford presented the new work in a video lasting about an hour. Among the changes and new artwork, one mechanic stands out, which is taken from Baldur’s Gate 3 – and which many of you probably already use as a house rule.
Drink first, then attack – or the other way round
In the updated rules, theuse of a potion will be executable as a bonus action If playgroups strictly follow the previous rules, this is currently not allowed, but you must spend your action on it.
Whoever is currently adventuring with others as a cleric, mage or ranger often has to make an unpleasant choice in combat: Is the one action per round used for an attack or spell – or is it necessary to drink a healing potion or similar useful concoction?From now on, that’s over, after the courageous sip you may also dish it out.
The new rule has already been implemented in the role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 by developer Larian, which may have inspired its own template for the noticeable change. Or perhaps it was the countless game rounds that had long since established “drinking as a bonus action.”
Does the rule change fit into the current manual?
On page 190 of the German edition of the Player’s Handbook, there is a list of examples of interactions with the environment that can be performed in addition to movement and actions – i.e. as a bonus action.
Included is the point “finish a beer in one go”, an action that is quite similar to emptying a flask or bottle.The rule change with potions is therefore a completely logical stepthat many fans have been calling for for years.
There is a lot of enthusiasm under the YouTube video about the new editions of the rulebook and the announced changes. However, in Dungeons&Dragons and pen&paper adventures in general, it is very common for game masters to change the rules. Do you have house rules in your games? Tell us about them!
