Opportunity Attacks in D&D 5e (Explained): When They Trigger and How to Avoid Them

1 April 2026

Opportunity attacks (often called “attacks of opportunity”) are a core rule that makes positioning matter. They also interact with reactions, so understanding them helps you play faster and smarter.

Related:

• How reactions work in D&D 5e
• How D&D combat works

What triggers an opportunity attack? (rules)

You provoke an opportunity attack when:

• You move out of an enemy’s reach using your movement, action, or reaction.

It uses the enemy’s reaction, and it’s usually one melee attack.

What does not trigger an opportunity attack

These don’t provoke by default:

• Being forced to move (pushed, pulled, knocked back)
• Teleporting
• Moving while you’re already out of reach

Tip: “Forced movement” is one of the cleanest ways to reposition without eating hits.

How to avoid opportunity attacks

Practical options:

• Use the Disengage action to move away safely
• Step out of reach, then move around (don’t cross the reach boundary twice)
• Use spells/abilities that reposition you without provoking

If you’re teaching new players, “Disengage exists” is one of the biggest survivability upgrades.

What if you’re prone, grappled, or restrained?

Movement conditions change how easy it is to leave reach:

• Prone condition (5e) (standing costs movement)
• Grappled condition (5e) (speed becomes 0)
• Restrained condition (5e) (speed 0 + disadvantage problems)