Is A Thrown Weapon Ever a Ranged Weapon?

[ValhallaGH]

What about for the purposes of enchantments? Could you make a Distance Throwing Hammer, for example?

Absolutely. For your OP, check out Player's Handbook page 215, left-hand column.

A melee weapon with the heavy thrown or the light thrown property counts as a ranged weapon when thrown and can be used with ranged attack powers that have the weapon keyword.

For the magic property question, turn to Player's Handbook page 232 and check out the Thrown Weapons entry. Note the example Javelin has perfect hunter's property, which can be applied to any ranged.

So, there you have it. The PH allows and encourages just what you're wanting to do. Have fun.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Yup, you can do a LOT with magical thrown weapons. You can even do silly things like make a Grasping Tratnyr, chuck it at people 20 squares away and yank them all the way across the battlefield (by RAW anyway, that one always struck me as a bit cheesy).

The thing is basically thrown weapons are second string when it comes to the sorts of damage they do etc, so giving them some added flexibility is really the only way they're going to ever be interesting. This is why all magic thrown weapons return, it seems a bit gamist but otherwise they'd be pretty worthless weapon choices. And besides, who wants to have to keep track of ammo in the middle of a fight?

 

[Turtlejay]

huh. I have no idea how I missed that. Thanks!

Jay

 

[Droogie128]

Wow. So I could use a throwing axe for a "Split the Tree" Ranger Daily 1 attack? That's awesome. Makes me want to roll up a dwarven ranger or artificer as soon as possible.

It's nice to hear that you can do something you previously thought you couldn't do. Thanks, guys.

You could, though keep in mind you'll still be using DEX for the ranged attacks even if it's a heavy thrown weapon. The powers clearly state dex for ranged, str for melee.

 

[Ryujin]

Yes, you can use a thrown weapon with power that says "Ranged weapon". No, it does not override what ability score a power uses--unless that power is "Ranged Basic Attack".

Yes, the power is the power and the attribute is the attribute. Using heavy thrown weapons as melee weapons would make for a more versatile character. I just wish that I could convince our party's Fighter to carry even a +1 hand axe, so that he's not sitting there with his thumb up his butt when we face flying or ranged opponents.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

If its a matter of purely a weapon he will only use for throwing then javelins are the idea choice. They have good range and OK damage. Hand axe is nice if you want to dual wield and throw but its a trade off to get the off-hand property. Every fighter should carry a few javelins and most paladins too. Once you get up a few levels having a +1 ranged backup weapon is pretty cheap too.

 

[Smeelbo]

I am having a great time with Axam The Dwarf Ranger. At level 8, he's STR 18, DEX 18, with +2 Paired Waraxe, and +1 Distance Handaxe, and Quick Draw to swap weapons nigh instantly. As I've written earlier, Quick Draw is necessary to swap between dual-wielding waraxes and throwing handaxes with a minimum of minor actions, and similarly, a Paired weapon is almost mandatory for that kind of build. With the main weapon and the thrown weapon in the same weapon group, the two attacks are very close to each other (+12 vs. +13). An extra 5 squares of range every attack in exchange for no extra dice on the occasional crit makes Distance thrown weapons worthwhile.

I've found the build quite playable for 8 levels so far.

Smeelbo

 

[Snotboy]

Thought I'd point out, that they seem to have made a special exception for artificers.

Eberron Player's Guide, p46
"Some artificer powers use a ranged weapon. When an artificer makes an attack using a thrown weapon, that weapon returns to the artificer as if it were magical, even if it is not."

 

[chitzk0i]

If its a matter of purely a weapon he will only use for throwing then javelins are the idea choice. They have good range and OK damage. Hand axe is nice if you want to dual wield and throw but its a trade off to get the off-hand property. Every fighter should carry a few javelins and most paladins too. Once you get up a few levels having a +1 ranged backup weapon is pretty cheap too.

You would do well to introduce him or her to the grasping javelin. For the low, low price of zero gold, you can convert your +2 or higher magic javelin to a fabulous supertool.

But if they won't accept a magic ranged weapon of any kind, I don't know what you could say to change their mind.

 

[DracoSuave]

You would do well to introduce him or her to the grasping javelin. For the low, low price of zero gold, you can convert your +2 or higher magic javelin to a fabulous supertool.

But if they won't accept a magic ranged weapon of any kind, I don't know what you could say to change their mind.

Every fighter and paladin should have a ranged weapon, so that they can apply marks to distant creatures... cause sometimes you -just can't get into melee that round.-

And yes, Grasping Javelin/Tratnyr = good times.