Expeditious Retreat 5e: Bonus-Action Dash and Speed

Expeditious Retreat is less about retreating than controlling distance. I like it for a caster who needs to kite a slow enemy, cross a large battlefield, or keep pace during a chase—the spell turns a bonus action into repeatable movement without changing the character’s actual speed.

Expeditious Retreat 5e — Quick Spell Reference

How Expeditious Retreat Works

When the caster casts Expeditious Retreat, they can immediately take the Dash action as part of that bonus-action casting. Until the spell ends, they can take Dash again as a bonus action on each of their turns.

The spell lasts for up to 10 minutes with concentration. It affects only the caster and does not grant Dash to an ally.

Despite its name, the caster can Dash in any direction. The spell works for pursuit, exploration, repositioning, and escape.

Does Expeditious Retreat Double Speed?

No. Dash gives extra movement equal to the creature’s current speed after modifiers; it does not double the speed statistic itself.

For a creature with a 30-foot speed:

Turn choices	Total movement available
Normal movement	30 feet
Normal movement + one Dash	60 feet
Normal movement + action Dash + bonus-action Dash	90 feet

Effects that modify speed change how much movement each Dash adds. If the creature’s speed becomes 40 feet, two Dashes can produce 120 feet of total movement. If its speed is 0, Dash adds 0 feet.

Difficult Terrain and Movement Types

Dash supplies movement; it does not waive movement costs. Difficult terrain still costs 1 extra foot for every foot traveled, and standing from prone still costs movement equal to half the creature’s speed.

The Dash action is not limited to walking. A creature can use its available movement with a flying, climbing, or swimming speed it possesses, following the normal rules for combining movement types. Expeditious Retreat does not create any of those speeds by itself.

The spell also does not prevent opportunity attacks. Moving out of an enemy’s reach can still provoke one unless another rule prevents it.

Action Economy and Spellcasting

The casting turn uses the caster’s bonus action and immediately permits Dash. On later turns, each Dash continues to cost a bonus action. That means the spell competes with features such as Cunning Action, Healing Word, or any other bonus-action option.

Under the 2014 bonus-action spell rule, casting Expeditious Retreat limits other spellcasting on that turn: the caster cannot cast another spell during the same turn except a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. On later turns, using the spell’s granted bonus-action Dash is not casting a spell, so that restriction does not arise from the Dash itself.

Concentration and Upcasting

Expeditious Retreat requires concentration even though its benefit is movement. Taking damage can force a concentration save, and casting another concentration spell ends it.

The spell has no higher-level benefit. A slot above 1st level does not extend the duration, increase speed, or add more Dash actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the caster Dash on the turn they cast Expeditious Retreat?

Yes. The casting itself allows the caster to take Dash immediately.

Can the caster Dash twice in one turn?

Yes. They can take Dash with their action and again with the bonus action provided by the spell.

Does Expeditious Retreat prevent opportunity attacks?

No. It increases available movement through Dash but does not provide Disengage.

Does Expeditious Retreat require concentration?

Yes, for up to 10 minutes.