D&D 5E Drop bow and unsheathe sword: still get to attack?

[John Brebeuf]

The group just doesn't care much about that sort of fiddlyness. Especially in this case since we don't swap weapons and shields as any sort of routine. It comes up like once every dozen sessions that we do more than the rules would allow, so it's just not worth bothering to care what the rules allow.

It's not the only case where we disregard what the rules say an action be. We've made it quicker to drink potions, too. .

As long as everyone at the table's having fun, then go for it.

 

[Satyrn]

Maybe his DM doesn't know what the word "doffing" means and he's too embarrassed to admit he'd have to look it up?

A few sessions ago, one of the players finally read the section on removing armor. That was the day my group learned a new word.

Well, except for me and the DM. We read the rule years ago.

 

[Satyrn]

As long as everyone at the table's having fun, then go for it.

Aye. But now I feel like my reason for posting that have been misunderstood.

I was trying to answer your original question, showing by example what you just said: If it worked for your table, it's legit.

 

[Iry]

That seems overly severe to me, as well as a needless complication. Besides, recurve bows can certainly handle a 2-3 foot drop, and I'm sure a crossbow can too.

I agree with this. I ran into a DM once who was an archer, and he got bizarrely draconian about the time it took to restring a bow, the care it took to maintain the bowstring, and how bad it was to keep the bowstring on the bow for long periods of time. It made for a negative amount of fun and just made people stop using archery.

 

[24Fanatic365]

I agree with this. I ran into a DM once who was an archer, and he got bizarrely draconian about the time it took to restring a bow, the care it took to maintain the bowstring, and how bad it was to keep the bowstring on the bow for long periods of time. It made for a negative amount of fun and just made people stop using archery.

Or to find another DM. Sounds like he may have been a bit of a fun-sucker. Guess it's possible to run into those ANYwhere...

 

[Horwath]

Does anyone roll for bow or crossbow damage if dropped? Pretty sure I saw Adam do that on either Adventurer's League or Old School Adventures once. Wasn't sure if that was RAW or just something he did in the moment. I don't recall seeing anything about this anywhere in the 5e PHB, or the first 15% or so that I've read of the DMG. Sometimes he can kinda hose his players, and I thought this may have been an instance of that.

Some bows have draw weight above 150lb. That is pretty sturdy piece of wood. Not only will it not take any damage from that little height but you can bash someones skull with it.

 

[Nevvur]

So how do either of you rule it and how un-RAW does it get. Do you allow a pc to stow a bow, draw a weapon, and attack?

Yes, I would allow that specific sequence. Generally speaking, I treat this type of action as "changing arms configuration" rather than "stowing one weapon" and "drawing one weapon." That is, I look at it as one action rather than two. I would also allow a character who uses two weapons without the Dual Wielder feat to draw or stow two weapons as a free interaction. Whether the feat should be modified to account for this treatment is a separate discussion, though.

Part of my justification for this ruling is that it gives martial classes a bit more versatility. Magic using classes aren't affected much, and while this ruling is a long ways from creating true parity between martial and magic classes, I think it's a step in the right direction.

It's definitely not RAW, but I can live with that and my players appreciate it.

 

[corwyn77]

I agree with this. I ran into a DM once who was an archer, and he got bizarrely draconian about the time it took to restring a bow, the care it took to maintain the bowstring, and how bad it was to keep the bowstring on the bow for long periods of time. It made for a negative amount of fun and just made people stop using archery.

Wow, not even GURPS has rules for damaging weapons when they are dropped. Not even the authors of more realistic-based books.

I had one player with a Robin Hood like character who went to great lengths caring for his bow, unstringing it between combats, but that was on him. Occasionally I've caused problems for archers getting their strings wet so they carry spares. But still...

 

[the_redbeard]

Does anyone roll for bow or crossbow damage if dropped? Pretty sure I saw Adam do that on either Adventurer's League or Old School Adventures once. Wasn't sure if that was RAW or just something he did in the moment. I don't recall seeing anything about this anywhere in the 5e PHB, or the first 15% or so that I've read of the DMG. Sometimes he can kinda hose his players, and I thought this may have been an instance of that.

Wow, no.

The worst I do as a DM is draw the dropped weapon on the battlemat. Potentially losing the weapon if they have to run away is the only drawback. And I consider myself a fiddly, hardass, old school GM. I mean, I make my players use my encumbrance rules, that's how much an ass I am!

 

[Oofta]

Wow, no.

The worst I do as a DM is draw the dropped weapon on the battlemat. Potentially losing the weapon if they have to run away is the only drawback. And I consider myself a fiddly, hardass, old school GM. I mean, I make my players use my encumbrance rules, that's how much an ass I am!

You monster!