D&D 5E Allowing Strength for Bows--unbalanced?

[Illithidbix]

I'd be cool with that.
Or allowing you to add the highest of Strength and Dex to damage and maybe also to hit.

I'd also be cool with the idea of using Wisdom to hit (because it includes perception) and Strength for damage.

DOWN WITH THE TYRANNY OF DEXTERITY!

Any argument about what is "realistic" kinda breaks down quickly because in actual physiology what D&D lumps under descreete catagories of "Strength" "Dexterity" and "Constitution" are far more entwined concepts.

 

[Horwath]

Str for damage makes sense; but Dex to hit.

That would make the concept of the graceful elfin archer a bit of a nonsense though.

What you could do is rule that DAMAGE is finesse, thus:

To hit: Dex (accuracy)
Damage: Str or Dex (raw punch power or beautiful aim hitting the right area)

For heavy bows, you can always go down the minimum Str to wield route and assign a Str score you feel is right.

But that opens up a can of melee worms ("If Mike's PC can't fire a longbow, how the hell does that kobold get to wield a battle axe?").

I would kind of liked minimum str for all weapons:

i.e.

8 str for light
10 str for one handed
12 str for two handed

-2 str for finesse or ranged
+2 str for heavy weapon

 

[Jediking]

Adding Strength to damage can make sense, but every other attack, whether melee, ranged, or spell, all use the same stat modifier to add to attack and damage (if any). Finesse weapons make you use the same stat for both, so although it may not be as realistic, I'd make someone who chooses to use Strength with a composite bow to aim with Strength as well just to keep things consistent.

 

[Horwath]

Or make str requirement for a bow with a different damage die.
bonus to attack and damage still comes from dex

default longbow;
d8, minimum strength 10,

for higher strength;
d10, min str 12,
d12, min str 14,

or lower,
d6, min str 8,
d4, min str 6,

 

[Ranthalan]

Adding strength to damage doesn't make sense to me. An arrow from the same bow shouldn't do more damage if fired from a person with 20 STR vs 13 STR.

 

[Horwath]

Adding strength to damage doesn't make sense to me. An arrow from the same bow shouldn't do more damage if fired from a person with 20 STR vs 13 STR.

I guess you didnt tried 25lb and 75bl bow and saw the penetration difference.

​

 

[Tony Vargas]

What do people think about allowing characters to use Strength for attack rolls and damage to bows (specifically Shortbows and Longbows)? Without going too deep into real-world comparison, bows do require a (reasonable) amount of upper-body muscle work to draw and fire correctly.

In earlier editions, there were 'Strength Bows' that added STR to damage but still used DEX for an attack modifier.

Sticking to just the extant mechanics in 5e, you could add a new kind of bow (composite?) that used STR instead of DEX by giving it (hear me out) the Thrown property. No, really, that would allow it to use STR.

Now, if you don't mind adding new mechanics as well as new weapons, you could introduce a STR minimum rule of some sort; For instance: Bows with draws rated to certain STR bonuses. If you don't have the needed STR, you can't string the bow or use it effectively, if your STR matches or exceeds the minimum, you use the Bow's STR for attack & damage, or can use your DEX like a regular bow.

If you want to preserve the existing pattern of STR-using ranged weapons having shorter ranges, you could have bows that allow use of STR for attack & damage do so only at short range (representing direct fire) while long range still uses DEX.

 

[Ranthalan]

I guess you didnt tried 25lb and 75bl bow and saw the penetration difference.

You missed the point. The arrow will not penetrate any further if either Schwaztenegger or I use a 75 lb bow.

ETA: The minimum strength requirement mentioned above addresses what you're getting at. But adding damage bonus based on strength means two characters with different strengths can do different damage with the same exact bow. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Horwath]

You missed the point. The arrow will not penetrate any further if either Schwaztenegger or I use a 75 lb bow.

sorry,

missed the word same bow.

ofc that would be dumb.

As I stated for OP several times bow must be built for certain power(read str requirements).

You can play with draw weight little by shortening or extending the bow string.

 

[dmnqwk]

You could always create a feat instead for it.

Composite Archery
Req. Str 13+
While most rely on precision and accuracy to allow their arrows to fly true, you prefer to use your raw physical prowess to strike with sheer force.
You may use your strength to hit and damage when wielding a shortbow or longbow.
When you hit a target within 30', as a Bonus Action you may cause them to make a Strength Saving Throw (DC 8 + Str Modifier) or be knocked prone. Creatures of a size category larger than yours ignore this effect.