[RPG] If the next attack roll is subject to a condition like ‘disadvantage’ can I avoid that by deciding to use an arcane shot after the attack roll

arcane-archerattackattack-rollclass-featurednd-5e

If my 'next attack roll' is subject to a condition like disadvantage does avoiding the attack roll 'use up' that condition?

An example rules text, snipped from Vicious Mockery:

[…] the target […] must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or […] have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

The rules for Arcane Shot, from the Arcane Archer say:

Once per turn when you fire an arrow from a shortbow or longbow as part of the Attack action, you can apply one of your Arcane Shot options to that arrow. You decide to use the option when the arrow hits a creature, unless the option doesn’t involve an attack roll.

While Making an Attack says lists this order:

  1. Choose a target. […]

  2. Determine modifiers. The DM determines whether the target has cover and whether you have advantage or disadvantage against the target. In addition, spells, special abilities, and other effects can apply penalties or bonuses to your attack roll.

  3. Resolve the attack. You make the attack roll. […]

So, allowing for the obvious fact the DM can overrule this, is this sequence of events possible

  1. choose my target,
  2. be told/determine I have disadvantage,
  3. resolve the attack rolling disadvantage
  4. decide to use an Arcane Shot (such as Seeking Arrow or Piercing Arrow) that 'doesn't involve an attack roll', either before you find out if hits (if given the option by the DM), after another effect alters your attack (such as the spell Bane), or on a miss, and thus avoid disadvantage on future attacks this round?

The choice is made as part of the attack action, before the arrow has 'hit' as the Arcane Shot choice 'doesn't involve an attack roll'.

Or have I missed something? Does Arcane Shot saying 'when the arrow hits a creature' imply after resolving the attack it's too late?

Best Answer

You must decide to use Piercing Arrow before you make an attack roll.

Arcane Shot says:

Once per turn when you fire an arrow from a shortbow or longbow as part of the Attack action, you can apply one of your Arcane Shot options to that arrow. You decide to use the option when the arrow hits a creature, unless the option doesn’t involve an attack roll.

If the option involves an attack roll, you decide to use it when your attack hits. So if the shot doesn't involve an attack roll, when do you decide to use it? The only other "time" mentioned in the feature description:

when you fire an arrow from a shortbow or longbow as part of the Attack action

Piercing Arrow states:

When you use this option, you don’t make an attack roll for the attack.

You take the attack action, select your target and release your arrow. This is "when you fire an arrow", and this is the time you either make an attack roll, or you choose to use Piercing Arrow. You cannot do both. You either make an attack roll or you use piercing shot, because piercing shot says "don’t make an attack roll".

To put it another way, the only times you are told you can choose to use an Arcane shot are "when you fire an arrow" and "when the arrow hits". If the arrow misses, it is not "when the arrow hits", and "when you fire an arrow" has already passed.

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