Ready Action

The Ready action lets you prepare a specific response to a trigger that occurs before your next turn.

How it works:

1. Describe a perceivable trigger — "When the goblin steps through the doorway" or "When the mage starts casting a spell."
2. Describe the action you will take in response — "I attack it" or "I cast shield."
3. When the trigger occurs, you use your reaction to take the readied action immediately after the trigger.

Rules and limitations:

• You can only Ready an action — you cannot Ready a bonus action or extra movement.
• If the trigger never occurs before your next turn, the readied action is wasted.
• Readying a spell requires concentration from the time you Ready it until you release it. The spell slot is consumed when you Ready the spell, not when you release it. If concentration is broken before the trigger, the spell is lost.
• You can choose not to take the readied action when the trigger occurs.

Readied movement: You can ready movement as your action. "When the ally moves past me, I move with them." This movement uses your reaction and is limited to your speed.

Common uses:

• Holding an attack for when an enemy comes around a corner
• Readying a spell to counter an enemy's action
• Coordinating actions with allies ("I attack when the Fighter charges")
• Holding a ranged attack for when an enemy breaks cover

Limitations vs. holding your turn: 5e does not have a "delay" mechanic. You cannot choose to move later in initiative order. Ready is the closest equivalent, but it uses your action and reaction.