D&D 5E Is disarming broken in D&D 5e?

[firstkyne]

I think disarm is a fine feature and works as it intended.

Picking up a dropped weapon consumes an action. Therefore, disarming a foe means he can not cause damage with it on his turn. This is great for enemies who do not have alternate weapons (or stronger natural weapons).

Secondly, without the weapon, they are extremely ineffective at opportunity attacks.

Example. Bad guy with two attacks with magic long sword. Player 1 successfully disarms enemy. Player 2 (weaker AC player unexpectedly in close combat with bad guy) can move away without fear of potentially devastating opportunity attacks. Or even better, PLayer 2 can spend action to pick up weapon and move away. Other players can close with bad guy and strike him without fear of the weapon attack. Bad guy can either use hands next turn or pick up his weapon (if it is still there). On player 1's turn, repeat disarm if necessary, or attack. Player 3 attack.

Hi Pdzoch, so you rule that picking up the weapon would count as an action? That's what I would have said. But most repliers seem to disagree.

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[firstkyne]

The Battle Master's Disarming Attack maneuver specifies the weapon drops at the target's feet (PHB p. 74). Interesting that the DMG doesn't specify this.

Yes, it leads me to think that that is where the weapon should land. Some repliers have said that the weapon should fly off and land elsewhere. I'm thinking I would reserve that extra effect for battle masters.

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[firstkyne]

Take a cue from Errol Flynn. When you knock a sword or dagger from someone's hand, it goes spinning away and sticks int the ceiling, a tree, mast, post, wall, or cask; possibly narrowly missing the comic relief character.
Or just use attacker's "interact with object" to knock it away.

I was thinking I might reserve that for the battle master version. What do you think?
I am wary of making disarm too powerful too. If disarming means a chance that the weapon can get wedged in the ground/ceiling, as you say, it would be really hard to recover. Feels like going from one extreme to the other?

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[Azzy]

Yeah, disarming (and the Battle Master's Disarming Strike) is a bit underwhelming considering it doesn't cost an action to pick up a weapon. I'd take a cue from 2e AD&D, and let the disarming player either knock the disarmed weapon 2d6 feet away, or try to catch the disarmed weapon in a free hand with a DC 15 Dex check.

 

[firstkyne]

I'd don't think I'd normally allow someone to freely interact with an object in an opponent's square/area without, at the very least, some sort of opposed check.

Yes. I think this is a crucial issue.

One good effect is it cannot use that weapon to make opportunity attacks. Another is if you have multiple attacks, you could ostensibly disarm and then shove (or use an ability to move the creature), then use your movement to go where the item is.

I don't see anything wrong with it. You have to use this optional rule strategically.

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[Sezarious]

Just like to weigh in here 5e is no longer restricted by the concept of being restricted to the 5ft square. Therefore it's reasonable to assume that you can pick up a weapon you have disarmed from an enemy without having to worry about getting in their 'square'.

As stated above regarding the battlemaster disarming manoeuvre, a disarmed weapon lands at their enemies feet.

Under the object interaction description, one of the examples of an object interaction is 'picking up a dropped axe'.

As a DM, i don't see it as overpowered. I see the potential to use these rules AGAINST my players as much as they may use them against me. It's more likely that disarming a PC wizard of his arcane focus or a fighter of his magic sword is going to be more devastating than a PC disarming a couple of enemies of their generic weapons in an encounter.

I just think that the best thing about D&D is the potential for players to be able to try ANYTHING, which they CAN'T do in videogames. I strongly believe in sandbox games. I also believe that a DM who limits his players, places similar limitations on him or herself. Mind you, I also understand that there are some players out there who are absolute A-holes and try and abuse the system and ruin the games for their own ego, so from that perspective, I understand the importance of rulings now.

 

[firstkyne]

Youre forgetting that the disarmer also has a free object interaction.

So after he disarms the creature, he can use it to (kick the weapon away) or (pick the weapon up).

Assuming the weapon is dropped in the targets space, you can't move into the square to do that though.

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[Cap'n Kobold]

Disarming in D&D is either utterly useless or cripplingly powerful based on how the weapon system works.

Following the guidelines people have outlined in this thread makes it cripplingly powerful.

Most weapon using creatures without their weapon are totally emasculated.

Many weapon using creatures will carry a backup; like a dagger. So they'll lose some damage but hardly be "totally emasculated".

 

[pdzoch]

Hi Pdzoch, so you rule that picking up the weapon would count as an action? That's what I would have said. But most repliers seem to disagree.

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I stand corrected. 3.5 rules listed picking up an item as a move action. 4.0 rules lists picking up an item as a minor action. And current rules allows it to be concurrent with other movement or actions.

However, I rule a little on the common sense side( taking a cue from the Errol Flynn movies (or Princess Bride)). Reaching down to pick up a weapon while in a threatening square will at least provoke an attack of opportunity from your disarmer. The target is weaponless and will need to look away briefly to see the weapon he is picking up.

 

[Krachek]

In my view of epic fantasy, disarming is what happens when you prove your superiority in fighting.
So disarming = winning = spare the living.
For now combat are fast and monster don't live long.
Disarming is not the best option.