Melee Attack. Hand-to-hand combat.

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• You can attack a foe who is within reach. 

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• With the optional facing rule, you can attack only creatures in your front or side areas. 

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• Sometimes you can do multiple attacks on your turn; for example, Extra Attack and Two-Weapon Fighting.

Tactics to consider during attack:

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• Use your free brief utterance to coordinate your party's attack.

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• With an ally flank an enemy. 

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• Attack an enemy from behind (if the optional facing rule is used).

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• Help a nearby ally attack a foe. 

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• Use the Ready action. 

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• Knock out a foe instead of killing it.

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• Grapple or Shove a foe.

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• Disarm action (DMG p. 271).

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• Overrun action (DMG p. 272).

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• Tumble action (DMG p. 272).

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• If weaponless, punch, kick, or head-butt.

Location issues to consider:

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• Only so many combatants can melee attack a foe at one time.  

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• You can't enter an ally's space, attack an enemy, and then leave the space in the same turn.

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• Attacking from too small a space gives you disadvantage. ​

Weapons Table

Improvised Weapon

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Acid, Holy Water, and Other Weapons.

Attack Roll

Unseen Attacker or Target