[RPG] How many times can you exhale magical energy with one casting of the Dragon’s Breath spell

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I need a brief clarification on the spell dragon's breath (Xanathar's Guide to Everything, p. 154):

Until the spell ends, the creature can use an action to exhale energy of the chosen type in a 15-foot cone.

I think the description is ambiguous regarding the number of times you can exhale during the duration of the spell. You can think of that "an action" in 2 ways:

  1. Until the spell ends, the creature can use one action to exhale magical energy. It can use an action this way as many times as it wants for the duration of the spell.

  2. Until the spell ends, the creature can exhale magical energy once during the spell's duration, losing the ability to do so after that first time.

Which is the correct interpretation?

Best Answer

Option 1, is the sure answer based on several considerations, especially looking at why it isn't Option 2.

It's Option 1 because:

  1. Its power level is on par with (or just barely above) several similar 2nd level spells. Druids already have a very similar 2nd level spell, Flame Blade (3d6, melee, 10 min, level 2.) There are several other 2nd level spells with concentration which can be used the whole duration with comparative damage: Heat Metal (2d8, ranged, 1 min), Moonbeam (2d10, ranged, 1 min), Flaming Sphere (2d6, ranged, 1 min), Mind Spike, Shadow Blade (2d8, melee/range (20/06), 1 min)

It's not Option 2 because:

  1. It would be almost as weak as a 1st level spell. It would be almost identical to the 1st level spell Burning Hands (also 3d6 cone, fire), but only gaining the option to change the damage type and delaying the attack for 1 min. This doesn't really justify to cost a 2nd level slot
  2. Spells that end after the use state it in the spell description that they end after activation. Examples: Guidance (Cantrip), All Smite Spells, Flame Arrows (3rd level)