D&D 5E Do I get sneak attack if I throw a Rapier or whack someone with my heavy crossbow

[Oofta]

I don't agree with that. Below is what it takes to qualify for sneak attack.

"Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon."

And below defines what a ranged weapon is.

"Range. A weapon that can be used to make a ranged attack has a range in parentheses after the ammunition or thrown property. The range lists two numbers. The first is the weapon's normal range in feet, and the second indicates the weapon's long range. When attacking a target beyond normal range, you have disadvantage on the attack roll. You can't attack a target beyond the weapon's long range."

As you can see, the axe is a ranged weapon just by virtue of having the thrown property, so if a Rogue throws the handaxe, by RAW he gets sneak attack. He would not get it if he used the handaxe as a melee weapon, because it does not have finesse.

It was an "official" ruling from sage advice. I don't really care since I allow any weapon.

 

[Maxperson]

It was an "official" ruling from sage advice. I don't really care since I allow any weapon.

Given the number of silly rulings from Sage Advice, I don't really give it much credence. Their ruling goes directly contrary to RAW. They wrote "or," not "and."

Edit: I just checked the Sage Advice and there was no such ruling in it.

 

[DND_Reborn]

It was an "official" ruling from sage advice. I don't really care since I allow any weapon.

Yeah, not one of JC's better moments, IMO.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I assume when a player asks a question like this it is so that they can know if there is an obvious RAW answer or so that they can have some context from which to suggest a ruling to their DM. Hopefully they do not ask so that they can go to their table and insist "you must rule thus, for so hath the allknowing sages of Enworld decreed it!".

Yeah, but an obvious answer that means nothing because the DM will still make their own decision regardless of what the player might suggest (and try and supply "evidence" by passing on what people here have said.)

That's why our answers do not matter. Even if we gave a 100% result of agreement for one answer here on the boards... their DM will still make their own call. So all that will happen is the OP will feel resentful to their DM if the call goes against what they and all of us believe the answer should be.

This is why asking for "what is RAW?" here on the boards if you are a player is just asking for trouble. Don't do it. RAW doesn't matter. All that matters is what the DM wants to rule in their game. So if a player has a question... don't talk about it with us, talk it over with the DM first. And maybe if the DM says "Hmm... that's a good question, let's do some research to see what the populace says about it"... then you come here and ask us about how we would rule it if it was our table.

Now if you are a DM and want to hear about the various sides of the issue to help you make your own decision for your own table... then sure, go ahead. But at the end of the day our voices still won't have the say in what results... you're still going to make your own.

 

[Oofta]

Given the number of silly rulings from Sage Advice, I don't really give it much credence. Their ruling goes directly contrary to RAW. They wrote "or," not "and."

Edit: I just checked the Sage Advice and there was no such ruling in it.

It was in one of the even less reliable tweets as @6ENow! points out.

Regardless, I've had DMs rule that thrown weapons do not qualify for sneak attack.

 

[Horwath]

Well, I am firmly in the camp that sneak attack works with any attack roll(even spells) once per turn if other conditions are met, so take from that what you want.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Well, I am firmly in the camp that sneak attack works with any attack roll(even spells) once per turn if other conditions are met, so take from that what you want.

Hmm... Interesting for letter a Rogue SA with cantrips.

At max: 4d10 (firebolt) + 10d6 SA for a ranged attack...

Ouch.

 

[Maxperson]

Hmm... Interesting for letter a Rogue SA with cantrips.

At max: 4d10 (firebolt) + 10d6 SA for a ranged attack...

Ouch.

Sure, but he's sacrificing a significant + to hit, since it's unlikely that his Int will match his Dex.

 

[Horwath]

Hmm... Interesting for letter a Rogue SA with cantrips.

At max: 4d10 (firebolt) + 10d6 SA for a ranged attack...

Ouch.

1d8+5 vs 4d10 at 19th level? that 12 damage will not matter much and you will have to use Verbal components, maybe ruining your ambush location after.

 

[Hriston]

Why would it be DEX?

It is a thrown weapon, which use STR unless they are also Finesse, such as a dagger.

So, I think hurling a goblin at someone would be a STR attack, personally.

An improvised weapon does not have the thrown property.