D&D 5E Natural Attacks

[Argyle King]

In terms of 5th Edition rules, what do natural attacks count as?


I've seen some comments in threads here and elsewhere which clarify that they cannot be used as "unarmed attacks" in the context of a monk.


Do they count as weapon attacks? For example, could a druid/paladin smite via crocodile bite?

 

[mellored]

I don't think there is a 'natural attack' category.... each monster attack is their own special thing.

However the crocodile (and pretty much every creature) specifically state the attack is "Bite. Melee Weapon Attack:'.

So yes.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

Natural attacks count as natural attacks. By which I mean they do not count as weapons for anything that actually requires a weapon, and are allowed to be used to make melee weapon attacks

However, many features in the game benefit melee weapon attacks, rather than melee attacks made with weapons.

Specifically, your question on the druid/paladin croc-bite-smite is answered with; Yes, you can smite with a crocodile bite because smite says "when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack" and the crocodile bite attack says "melee weapon attack".

 

[Argyle King]

So, in 5th Edition, Natural Attacks would be a category of attack (typically melee) which is neither Unarmed nor a Melee Weapon?

 

[Caliban]

Unarmed strikes and natural attacks are not "weapons" in the 5e technical sense, but you can use them to make melee weapon attacks.

(Which sounds contradictory, I know. I think it's to keep them from being used with certain weapon specific abilities, spells, and feats.)

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

So, in 5th Edition, Natural Attacks would be a category of attack (typically melee) which is neither Unarmed nor a Melee Weapon?

Pretty much.

 

[Hriston]

You can make a weapon attack using natural weapons. 'Natural attack' isn't a thing.

 

[Argyle King]

You can make a weapon attack using natural weapons. 'Natural attack' isn't a thing.

Perhaps not, but, for rules purposes, it matters whether or not they are considered weapons or not.

It has been clarified by WoTC staff that the natural weapons of creatures and animals do not count as "unarmed attacks" unless specifically stated for a creature.

Weather or not natural weapons are considered weapons matters for some of the other rules of the game. It appears that the natural weapons of a creature can make weapon attacks, but are possibly not considered weapons in the context of certain game rules.

 

[Hriston]

Perhaps not, but, for rules purposes, it matters whether or not they are considered weapons or not.

It has been clarified by WoTC staff that the natural weapons of creatures and animals do not count as "unarmed attacks" unless specifically stated for a creature.

Weather or not natural weapons are considered weapons matters for some of the other rules of the game. It appears that the natural weapons of a creature can make weapon attacks, but are possibly not considered weapons in the context of certain game rules.

Which rules do you mean? According to the DM's Basic Rules a weapon can be a manufactured item or a natural weapon.

 

[Hriston]

Natural weapons make weapon attacks, so you can use Divine Strike or Improved Critical when making a weapon attack with them. They are not ranged weapons, melee weapons, or finesse weapons, so you cannot use the Archery, Dueling, or GWF fighting styles or Sneak Attack with them. Are those the rules you mean?