The reason a grapple or shove doesn’t “count as an attack action” is that nothing counts as an attack action. You have the Attack action, which allows you to make attacks. These attacks aren’t themselves actions, nor do they constitute the Attack action.
Is a grapple a weapon attack?
Grappling is a special attack, but uses strength and skill, not a weapon; PHB 195.
Is shove an attack or action?
Yes, shove is an attack. Using the Attack action, you can make a special melee attack to shove a creature, either to knock it prone or push it away from you.
Is a shove a melee attack?
Grappling and shoving are melee attacks When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple.
Is a shove a melee weapon attack?
An attack involves an attack roll or doing something that the rules call an attack, like grappling or shoving. So, grappling and shoving are are defined as attacks in the rules and designer clarification has verified that (many times in fact). Thus, they qualify as melee attacks for this part of the mobile feat.
When does a grapple or shove count as an attack action?
When you take the Attack action on your turn, you’re entitled to make one (or more) attacks at any point during your turn. Now, grapple and shove are both a special sort of attack. They can be used in place of one (or more) of the attacks you make when you take the Attack action.
How is a grapple attack different from an attack roll?
Although a grapple attempt is called a “special melee attack,” it uses a contested ability check (a contest) instead of an attack roll and, as such, does not result in either a hit or a miss (which are terms exclusively associated with attack rolls). This ruling is confirmed by Jeremy Crawford in the Sage Advice Compendium:
What makes a grappling attempt a special melee attack?
Although a grapple attempt is called a “special melee attack,” it uses a contested ability check (a contest) instead of an attack roll and, as such, does not result in either a hit or a miss (which are terms exclusively associated with attack rolls).
Can a successful grappling attempt count as a hit?
I’ve assumed an unsuccessful grapple attack wouldn’t count as a hit, but if there is argument to the contrary within the rules – please feel free to include it in your answer. No, a successful grapple attempt does not count as a hit.
