[Q12] For the Monk build, it says that you can get a bonus unarmed attack when attacking with weapons that do not have the two-handed property and are monk weapons. The quarterstaff is a monk weapon and does not have the 2-handed property but has versatile instead. Can you use the 1d8 damage for this or 1d6?

[Q13] As a follow up, when attacking with the monk's bonus attack, do you get the DEX modifier to damage? for instance 1d4+4 at level one for damage?

Thank you!!~

[A12] As of RAW you could indeed opt to use the versatile trait to deal 1d8 damage with your quaterstaff and still make an additional unarmed strike. The Versatile trait allows you make an attack with both hands but does not give the weapon the 'Two-Handed' trait.

[A13] See [A9]. But yes you do gain the Dex bonus to damage. Two-Weapon Fighting appears to be a specific case where you lose the bonus rather then a general rule.

Quick edit because I am an idiot.

Garren meant Answers not Questions.

Okay, people keep flopping around on this one so it would be nice to iron out what is actually correct.

Abilities like the Bard's 'Jack of All Trades' do effect your initiative value because it is a Dexterity Skill Check. Being proficient in Dexterity Saves does not give you +PROF to initiative rolls because "Dex Save" =/= "Dex Check". Correct?

Basically:

[Q14] Does being proficient in DEX Saves give you a bonus to Initiative rolls? Yes or No.

[A14] No it does not. An attribute check (which an Initiative check is) is not the same as a Saving Throw. Proficiency with one does not grant proficiency with the other.

[Q15]
How long is a creature surprised for? Does this last until the end of the surprise round? Until the first time they get to act (i.e. at their initiative in the second (non-surprise) round? Until the top of the second (i.e. non-surprise) round?

[Q16]
Are we allowed to retrain feats? Can you give up a feat at a later level and opt for a new feat, or for the ability score improvement?

[A15] A creature is effectively surprised until the start of it's second turn as it can not take any actions until that point.



[A16] Under RAW no you can not retrain feats.

[Q17] Does the fighter's Dueling fighting style work if you're using a shield?

[A17] Yes. A Fighter with Dueling can use a one-handed weapon with a shield, spellcasting focus, or an empty offhand.

Jeremy Crawford answered this on Twitter. I'll edit in the link when I find it.

[Q18]

What happens if the trigger doesn't occur? Do you lose the spell entirely?

[Q19] : Is the arcane focus 'Staff' also a 'Quaterstaff' ? Does it have the same combat uses as a quaterstaff or would I have to swap from my arcane focus to a normal weapon / hold weapon in one hand and focus in the offhand?

Q20 does a spell casters familiar radiate a magic aura... for the purpose of being seen through detect magic

[A2. Additional]

Not to dispute BH's answer (because BH is technically correct), but... Flanking is presented as an optional rule in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Use it if your DM says it is okay.


The book goes on to further explain in detailed paragraphs how to use flanking if you are using squares or if you are uses hexes, with pictured diagrams for each.