Level Up (A5E) Parrying Weapons - Decide before or after result is known?

[TheDungeonMathster]

It's not stated in the text on parrying weapons, but do you claim the parry before or after you know the result of the attack roll against you?

 

[W'rkncacnter]

when i ran i let them parry after the result of the attack was known.

 

[Morrus]

I play it as after.

 

[Steampunkette]

I like to do it as "Does an 18 hit?" rolls dice "Nope, parried, AC 19."

 

[Selganor]

Always after the roll is made (so you know if the parry would do anything) but before the effect of the hit is declared.
I'm usually reminding new players (or even experienced players still unfamiliar with the parry property) that a parry might help.

 

[TheDungeonMathster]

Coming back to this thread for a follow-up question. The parry that a character gets from using a weapon with the parrying property is never stated as using a Reaction. At my table, I would rule it as using a Reaction, but I am curious if it is clarified anywhere in the text?

 

[Selganor]

If it were a reaction it would say so.
Compare it to the Defensive property where it specifically states that you use a bonus action to do things.

Also note the conditions preventing you to use it and Parrying only applies to melee attacks (by a creature you can see)

 

[Pedantic]

It is in fact, specifically not a reaction so that other reactions can be paired with it.

 

[someguy42]

It is in fact, specifically not a reaction so that other reactions can be paired with it.

I've been burning my reaction this whole time..so if your weapon has the parry property its just a free action?

 

[lichmaster]

I've been burning my reaction this whole time..so if your weapon has the parry property its just a free action?

Yep. You can combine it with other similar parry-like reactions to improve its effectiveness, or keep the reaction for something else