[RPG] Can a Rogue effectively triple their speed by combining Dash and Ready, spreading it over several turns

actionsdnd-5emovementreadied-actionrogue

This question is a follow-up to:

Can you move on your turn, and then use the Ready Action to move again on another creature's turn?

The answer to that question is yes. Acting according to the following sequence should then enable a rogue (of at least second level) to triple their maximum movement in one round, right?

  1. Bonus Action: Cunning Action -> Dash
  2. Movement: move twice your speed
  3. Action: ready additional movement
  4. Reaction: move your speed

To clarify: The idea was not to move as far as possible on your own turn (which can be more easily achieved by simply taking Dash as a Bonus Action and as an Action, as was pointed out to me in the answers), but to spread your movement over several turns by using the reaction.

Best Answer

Yes a rogue can move three times their movement in one round

A rogue could:

  1. Use their full normal movement speed.
  2. Use 'Cunning Action' to Dash for a Bonus Action, moving your full movement speed again.
  3. Use the Ready action to prepare to move again. Then if your specified trigger is met, use your reaction to move your full movement once more.

That's fine, they've moved three times their movement speed in one round - job done.

However, it's also unnecessarily complicated.

If you just want to move as far as possible, then instead of readying an action to move, in step three, you could simply use your normal action to dash, on your turn, as well as using your bonus action.

Dash is an action which is always available, to any character, to take on their turn. The Rogue's special feature is their ability to do it as a bonus action as well (note Cunning Action is not the only way to get this ability).

Using the Dash action rather than the Ready action has a couple of advantages. Firstly, it means your third move is guaranteed, rather than reliant on a trigger for your readied action, which might not come. Secondly, it leaves your reaction free to be used elsewhere - say for an attack of opportunity.