An **Opportunity Attack** is a quick strike you can make when an enemy **carelessly moves away from you**. It represents taking advantage of an opening. #### The Core Rule (Read This First) > **If a creature leaves your reach without being careful, you can hit them.** #### When Does an Opportunity Attack Happen? An Opportunity Attack happens when: - A creature **you can see** - **Leaves your melee reach** - **Using movement** When this happens, you may use your **Reaction** to attack. #### When Opportunity Attacks Do NOT Happen No Opportunity Attack if the creature: - Uses the **Disengage** action - Is moved by **forced movement** (pushed, pulled, thrown) - Teleports - Is already out of your reach #### What You Can Do When you make an Opportunity Attack: - You make **one melee attack** - No extra attacks - No bonus actions Most creatures use a weapon or unarmed strike. #### Spells & Opportunity Attacks Normally: - You **cannot** cast a spell as an Opportunity Attack Unless: - The spell specifically says it can be cast as a reaction (e.g. _Booming Blade_ with War Caster) #### Reach Matters - Most creatures have **5 ft reach** - Creatures with reach weapons threaten a larger area - Leaving any threatened space can trigger the attack Example: - A creature moves from 10 ft to 15 ft away from a glaive user → triggers #### Opportunity Attacks & Reactions - You get **one Reaction per round** - If you’ve already used your reaction, you can’t make one - Reaction refreshes at the start of your next turn #### DM Rule of Thumb > **Opportunity Attacks punish careless movement, not smart tactics.** #### Summary > **Move away without disengaging, and you might get hit.** #### 🧠 Quick Reference |Situation|Opportunity Attack?| |---|---| |Walk away|✅| |Disengage|❌| |Teleport|❌| |Pushed / Pulled|❌| |Move within reach|❌|