Does a Firbolg’s Hidden Step count as a spell or cantrip?











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I am making a Firbolg Druid, and I was wondering if the racial feature Hidden Step (Invisible as a Bonus Action) counts as a Spell or a Cantrip? I can’t find anything that specifically says. I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.










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    Related on Can Fade Away be counterspelled?
    – NautArch
    Nov 26 at 18:27






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    Related: What counts as a spell?
    – Rubiksmoose
    Nov 26 at 19:22















up vote
16
down vote

favorite












I am making a Firbolg Druid, and I was wondering if the racial feature Hidden Step (Invisible as a Bonus Action) counts as a Spell or a Cantrip? I can’t find anything that specifically says. I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.










share|improve this question




















  • 4




    Related on Can Fade Away be counterspelled?
    – NautArch
    Nov 26 at 18:27






  • 3




    Related: What counts as a spell?
    – Rubiksmoose
    Nov 26 at 19:22













up vote
16
down vote

favorite









up vote
16
down vote

favorite











I am making a Firbolg Druid, and I was wondering if the racial feature Hidden Step (Invisible as a Bonus Action) counts as a Spell or a Cantrip? I can’t find anything that specifically says. I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.










share|improve this question















I am making a Firbolg Druid, and I was wondering if the racial feature Hidden Step (Invisible as a Bonus Action) counts as a Spell or a Cantrip? I can’t find anything that specifically says. I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.







dnd-5e spells racial-traits cantrips






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edited Nov 27 at 8:18









SevenSidedDie

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asked Nov 26 at 18:23









Eternallord66

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686421








  • 4




    Related on Can Fade Away be counterspelled?
    – NautArch
    Nov 26 at 18:27






  • 3




    Related: What counts as a spell?
    – Rubiksmoose
    Nov 26 at 19:22














  • 4




    Related on Can Fade Away be counterspelled?
    – NautArch
    Nov 26 at 18:27






  • 3




    Related: What counts as a spell?
    – Rubiksmoose
    Nov 26 at 19:22








4




4




Related on Can Fade Away be counterspelled?
– NautArch
Nov 26 at 18:27




Related on Can Fade Away be counterspelled?
– NautArch
Nov 26 at 18:27




3




3




Related: What counts as a spell?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 26 at 19:22




Related: What counts as a spell?
– Rubiksmoose
Nov 26 at 19:22










4 Answers
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up vote
37
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Neither.



The ability states that you magically become invisible. You do not have to cast the Invisibility spell to do so.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    23
    down vote













    It does not count as either a spell or a cantrip.



    An ability is a spell if it says it counts as a spell, or if it references a specific spell in the book.



    For example, the Drow's Drow Magic ability says:




    You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once per day...




    That hits on both points: those are specific spells from the book referenced by name, and the description uses the words 'cantrip' and 'spell' just to be extra clear that they are in fact those things. So you can't, for example, use your racial faerie fire if you already used a bonus action to cast healing word this turn.



    But the firbolg's Hidden Step doesn't say any of that, so it isn't a spell or a cantrip, and doesn't restrict your ability to cast other spells during the same turn. It's just a special bonus action you can do, like a rogue's Cunning Action.






    share|improve this answer






























      up vote
      17
      down vote













      Feats and spell-like abilities are not spells



      Jeremy Crawford, lead rules designer for D&D 5e, says:




      Want to know what spells look like? See "Spells" (PH, 211–89). Nothing else is a spell unless it is presented as a spell or called one. (Crawford)




      See this answer on a related question for a detailed discussion of what is a spell.



      Since a racial feature is not a spell, there is nothing preventing you from casting a spell and then using Hidden Step.






      share|improve this answer






























        up vote
        6
        down vote













        Neither



        As Destruktor pointed out, Hidden Step is not a spell or cantrip, but a racial ability. A feature is only a spell or cantrip if there is text in the rules saying it is.



        That being said, I think you're misunderstanding the rules on bonus action spells, since you said that the reason you wanted to know if Hidden Step was a spell or cantrip was:




        I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.




        Note that cantrips are examples of spells, and the rules say that:




        A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. (PHB., p. 203)




        So if Hidden Step had been a cantrip that took a bonus action to cast (like shillelagh is), you also couldn't use your action to cast another spell (other than another cantrip). So it's a good thing that Hidden Step is not a spell (cantrip or otherwise).






        share|improve this answer





















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          4 Answers
          4






          active

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          4 Answers
          4






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          up vote
          37
          down vote













          Neither.



          The ability states that you magically become invisible. You do not have to cast the Invisibility spell to do so.






          share|improve this answer

























            up vote
            37
            down vote













            Neither.



            The ability states that you magically become invisible. You do not have to cast the Invisibility spell to do so.






            share|improve this answer























              up vote
              37
              down vote










              up vote
              37
              down vote









              Neither.



              The ability states that you magically become invisible. You do not have to cast the Invisibility spell to do so.






              share|improve this answer












              Neither.



              The ability states that you magically become invisible. You do not have to cast the Invisibility spell to do so.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Nov 26 at 18:25









              Destruktor

              3,3111952




              3,3111952
























                  up vote
                  23
                  down vote













                  It does not count as either a spell or a cantrip.



                  An ability is a spell if it says it counts as a spell, or if it references a specific spell in the book.



                  For example, the Drow's Drow Magic ability says:




                  You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once per day...




                  That hits on both points: those are specific spells from the book referenced by name, and the description uses the words 'cantrip' and 'spell' just to be extra clear that they are in fact those things. So you can't, for example, use your racial faerie fire if you already used a bonus action to cast healing word this turn.



                  But the firbolg's Hidden Step doesn't say any of that, so it isn't a spell or a cantrip, and doesn't restrict your ability to cast other spells during the same turn. It's just a special bonus action you can do, like a rogue's Cunning Action.






                  share|improve this answer



























                    up vote
                    23
                    down vote













                    It does not count as either a spell or a cantrip.



                    An ability is a spell if it says it counts as a spell, or if it references a specific spell in the book.



                    For example, the Drow's Drow Magic ability says:




                    You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once per day...




                    That hits on both points: those are specific spells from the book referenced by name, and the description uses the words 'cantrip' and 'spell' just to be extra clear that they are in fact those things. So you can't, for example, use your racial faerie fire if you already used a bonus action to cast healing word this turn.



                    But the firbolg's Hidden Step doesn't say any of that, so it isn't a spell or a cantrip, and doesn't restrict your ability to cast other spells during the same turn. It's just a special bonus action you can do, like a rogue's Cunning Action.






                    share|improve this answer

























                      up vote
                      23
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      23
                      down vote









                      It does not count as either a spell or a cantrip.



                      An ability is a spell if it says it counts as a spell, or if it references a specific spell in the book.



                      For example, the Drow's Drow Magic ability says:




                      You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once per day...




                      That hits on both points: those are specific spells from the book referenced by name, and the description uses the words 'cantrip' and 'spell' just to be extra clear that they are in fact those things. So you can't, for example, use your racial faerie fire if you already used a bonus action to cast healing word this turn.



                      But the firbolg's Hidden Step doesn't say any of that, so it isn't a spell or a cantrip, and doesn't restrict your ability to cast other spells during the same turn. It's just a special bonus action you can do, like a rogue's Cunning Action.






                      share|improve this answer














                      It does not count as either a spell or a cantrip.



                      An ability is a spell if it says it counts as a spell, or if it references a specific spell in the book.



                      For example, the Drow's Drow Magic ability says:




                      You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once per day...




                      That hits on both points: those are specific spells from the book referenced by name, and the description uses the words 'cantrip' and 'spell' just to be extra clear that they are in fact those things. So you can't, for example, use your racial faerie fire if you already used a bonus action to cast healing word this turn.



                      But the firbolg's Hidden Step doesn't say any of that, so it isn't a spell or a cantrip, and doesn't restrict your ability to cast other spells during the same turn. It's just a special bonus action you can do, like a rogue's Cunning Action.







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Nov 28 at 22:21

























                      answered Nov 26 at 19:06









                      Darth Pseudonym

                      9,9992258




                      9,9992258






















                          up vote
                          17
                          down vote













                          Feats and spell-like abilities are not spells



                          Jeremy Crawford, lead rules designer for D&D 5e, says:




                          Want to know what spells look like? See "Spells" (PH, 211–89). Nothing else is a spell unless it is presented as a spell or called one. (Crawford)




                          See this answer on a related question for a detailed discussion of what is a spell.



                          Since a racial feature is not a spell, there is nothing preventing you from casting a spell and then using Hidden Step.






                          share|improve this answer



























                            up vote
                            17
                            down vote













                            Feats and spell-like abilities are not spells



                            Jeremy Crawford, lead rules designer for D&D 5e, says:




                            Want to know what spells look like? See "Spells" (PH, 211–89). Nothing else is a spell unless it is presented as a spell or called one. (Crawford)




                            See this answer on a related question for a detailed discussion of what is a spell.



                            Since a racial feature is not a spell, there is nothing preventing you from casting a spell and then using Hidden Step.






                            share|improve this answer

























                              up vote
                              17
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              17
                              down vote









                              Feats and spell-like abilities are not spells



                              Jeremy Crawford, lead rules designer for D&D 5e, says:




                              Want to know what spells look like? See "Spells" (PH, 211–89). Nothing else is a spell unless it is presented as a spell or called one. (Crawford)




                              See this answer on a related question for a detailed discussion of what is a spell.



                              Since a racial feature is not a spell, there is nothing preventing you from casting a spell and then using Hidden Step.






                              share|improve this answer














                              Feats and spell-like abilities are not spells



                              Jeremy Crawford, lead rules designer for D&D 5e, says:




                              Want to know what spells look like? See "Spells" (PH, 211–89). Nothing else is a spell unless it is presented as a spell or called one. (Crawford)




                              See this answer on a related question for a detailed discussion of what is a spell.



                              Since a racial feature is not a spell, there is nothing preventing you from casting a spell and then using Hidden Step.







                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited Nov 27 at 1:39









                              V2Blast

                              18.7k251116




                              18.7k251116










                              answered Nov 26 at 19:09









                              ravery

                              8,30611859




                              8,30611859






















                                  up vote
                                  6
                                  down vote













                                  Neither



                                  As Destruktor pointed out, Hidden Step is not a spell or cantrip, but a racial ability. A feature is only a spell or cantrip if there is text in the rules saying it is.



                                  That being said, I think you're misunderstanding the rules on bonus action spells, since you said that the reason you wanted to know if Hidden Step was a spell or cantrip was:




                                  I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.




                                  Note that cantrips are examples of spells, and the rules say that:




                                  A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. (PHB., p. 203)




                                  So if Hidden Step had been a cantrip that took a bonus action to cast (like shillelagh is), you also couldn't use your action to cast another spell (other than another cantrip). So it's a good thing that Hidden Step is not a spell (cantrip or otherwise).






                                  share|improve this answer

























                                    up vote
                                    6
                                    down vote













                                    Neither



                                    As Destruktor pointed out, Hidden Step is not a spell or cantrip, but a racial ability. A feature is only a spell or cantrip if there is text in the rules saying it is.



                                    That being said, I think you're misunderstanding the rules on bonus action spells, since you said that the reason you wanted to know if Hidden Step was a spell or cantrip was:




                                    I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.




                                    Note that cantrips are examples of spells, and the rules say that:




                                    A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. (PHB., p. 203)




                                    So if Hidden Step had been a cantrip that took a bonus action to cast (like shillelagh is), you also couldn't use your action to cast another spell (other than another cantrip). So it's a good thing that Hidden Step is not a spell (cantrip or otherwise).






                                    share|improve this answer























                                      up vote
                                      6
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      6
                                      down vote









                                      Neither



                                      As Destruktor pointed out, Hidden Step is not a spell or cantrip, but a racial ability. A feature is only a spell or cantrip if there is text in the rules saying it is.



                                      That being said, I think you're misunderstanding the rules on bonus action spells, since you said that the reason you wanted to know if Hidden Step was a spell or cantrip was:




                                      I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.




                                      Note that cantrips are examples of spells, and the rules say that:




                                      A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. (PHB., p. 203)




                                      So if Hidden Step had been a cantrip that took a bonus action to cast (like shillelagh is), you also couldn't use your action to cast another spell (other than another cantrip). So it's a good thing that Hidden Step is not a spell (cantrip or otherwise).






                                      share|improve this answer












                                      Neither



                                      As Destruktor pointed out, Hidden Step is not a spell or cantrip, but a racial ability. A feature is only a spell or cantrip if there is text in the rules saying it is.



                                      That being said, I think you're misunderstanding the rules on bonus action spells, since you said that the reason you wanted to know if Hidden Step was a spell or cantrip was:




                                      I want to possibly use a spell and then use the Hidden Step and move away.




                                      Note that cantrips are examples of spells, and the rules say that:




                                      A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. (PHB., p. 203)




                                      So if Hidden Step had been a cantrip that took a bonus action to cast (like shillelagh is), you also couldn't use your action to cast another spell (other than another cantrip). So it's a good thing that Hidden Step is not a spell (cantrip or otherwise).







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Nov 27 at 0:13









                                      Gandalfmeansme

                                      17.2k364108




                                      17.2k364108






























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