For the record, 5e's rule is that you can only cast cantrips with that turn if you cast any spell (even a cantrip) as a bonus action - it's a pointless and arbitrary rule that only reduces enjoyment, causes confusion and second guessing and serves no real purpose of balance to the game, since it is entirely unnecessary; I've literally never had it improve play, only ever had it cause dissatisfaction or confusion, and never had any issue with its exclusion.

What needs fixed, in 5e, is simply Quicken spell, which should have the bonus action restriction applied to it specifically, and leave everything else alone. (That, and one or two other very specific BA spells that have very particular breaks associated with them)

To be clear - in 5e itself, these two examples are both correct and fully accurate and legitimate, as per the 5e rules as they currently exist, and it's silly:

(the issue with the 5e bonus action rule as written)
A 17Wizard/2Fighter, Mindy, Casts Meteor Swarm (9th level slot). Across the field, an enemy mage was waiting to counterspell the first thing that powerful caster did... Mindy, casting meteor swarm, sees them, and, without interrupting her calling of meteor swarm, expertly counterspells their attempted counterspell (using an 8th level slot, just to be sure). Meteors rain down and decimate the field, and then, because she was somewhat irked at this, Mindy then action surges, and levies an eighth level disintegrate at the impudent little upstart that had tried to counterspell her - the poor enemy caster can't counterspell this as they've already used their reaction, and they are disintegrated with great prejudice.

All perfectly legal in 5e.

Now, scenario two:

A similar powerful, high level wizard/fighter, Mordy, steps forward, but decides to raise a quick shield of faith over himself before they begin calling meteors... Across the field, and enemy mage, waiting to counterspell the first thing the powerful caster does... counterspells their shield of faith. Mordy, who always follows the rules as written in the handbook.... CANNOT counterspell the enemy mage: Counterspell is a levelled spell, and it is their turn, and they have cast a bonus action spell, so they are NOT ALLOWED to cast counterspell at this moment. Moreover, they now CANNOT cast their meteor swarm, due to have cast shield of faith. EVEN IF they Action Surge now, giving themselves that same entirely new action that Mindy gave herself, they STILL CANNOT cast their meteor swarm, or their disintegrate, or even a measly little magic missile at the enemy caster who foiled them. They throw a firebolt in disgust... it's all they can do.

These are identical mages, with the same abilities, following the by-the-book rules, and engaging in the same turn over the same amount of time, in the same situation.

The bonus action spell rule is not a sensible rule, and it doesn't serve a legitimate value. There is no break in balance to allowing spells to be cast according to their required turn economy and nothing more; there actually aren't that many bonus action spells, and none of them break the balance of the game to accompany a normal levelled spell any more than many, many other things that other classes can do with impunity. (like, for example the fighter/warlock/pally who can nova off 11 spell slots in a single turn perfectly legally.)

Last edited by Niara; 06/12/22 09:22 AM.