D&D 5E House Rule: Weapons Do Something On a Miss

[BookTenTiger]

Here's an idea one of my players and I came up with:

When a combatant misses with a melee weapon attack, there is still an effect, based on the damage type.

Bludgeoning: create a 5-ft circle of rough terrain.

Piercing: Gain +1 to AC until the start of your next turn (this effect does not stack).

Slashing: Reduce the target's AC by 1 until the start of your next turn (this effect does stack).

These are just some random ideas based on the narrative of attacking with these weapons. A warhammer will crack the ground, a rapier can be raised for defense, and axe can catch an opponent's shield.

Maybe there should be more effects, not necessarily tied to damage type? For example, all axes could reduce AC, while all swords grant an AC bonus.

Some weapons could have special miss features, like a Reach weapon allowing a 5 ft. movement as a reaction on a miss.

What could be some other fun effects on a miss? And could this be applied to ranged weapons as well?

 

[Shiroiken]

While I have no particular issue with things like damage on a miss, this is probably something that should be limited to martial characters via fighting style or some other method.

 

[HammerMan]

While I have no particular issue with things like damage on a miss, this is probably something that should be limited to martial characters via fighting style or some other method.

seconded. I have no issue with effects damage or anything else on a low die roll (aka miss) I do think it should be a specialized choice for weapon experts though.

 

[Mannahnin]

Here's an idea one of my players and I came up with:

When a combatant misses with a melee weapon attack, there is still an effect, based on the damage type.

Bludgeoning: create a 5-ft circle of rough terrain.

Piercing: Gain +1 to AC until the start of your next turn (this effect does not stack).

Slashing: Reduce the target's AC by 1 until the start of your next turn (this effect does stack).

These are just some random ideas based on the narrative of attacking with these weapons. A warhammer will crack the ground, a rapier can be raised for defense, and axe can catch an opponent's shield.

Maybe there should be more effects, not necessarily tied to damage type? For example, all axes could reduce AC, while all swords grant an AC bonus.

Some weapons could have special miss features, like a Reach weapon allowing a 5 ft. movement as a reaction on a miss.

What could be some other fun effects on a miss? And could this be applied to ranged weapons as well?

The idea of a warhammer doing that much damage to the ground seems thematically/narratively more like an Epic tier ability to me, but I dig the general concept. Perhaps bludgeoning weapons instead do a certain minimum damage even on a miss? ie: just hammering away at the defense in a way that tires the defender, even if they block/parry/dodge?

Maybe a ranged weapon imposes a -1 to hit on the defender on a miss, as they duck out of the way or are momentarily staggered back by the arrow's impact on their armor or shield?

 

[kenada]

Slashing: Reduce the target's AC by 1 until the start of your next turn (this effect does stack).

Would this reduction be available only to you or to everyone? If the latter, can I pay a mob of dudes with knives to swing at and whiff my target, so it always has an effective −8 AC?

Edit: Actually, if you buy your mob glaives, you could probably reduce it even more than that.

 

[payn]

I do like the idea of effects on a miss over damage on a miss.

 

[Oofta]

Bludgeoning creating difficult terrain feels too supernatural to me, I'd rather have something that I can envision actually happening. Maybe a -1 to the target's saving throws as they reel from the near miss?

 

[Gammadoodler]

Maybe you could have effects for combinations of weapon types.

For example, if you use a pick with an axe it allows you to shred.

A hammer with a sickle allows you to use one of your team mate's resources.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Bludgeoning creating difficult terrain feels too supernatural to me, I'd rather have something that I can envision actually happening. Maybe a -1 to the target's saving throws as they reel from the near miss?

What I like about this is that it creates cool synergy opportunities with spellcasters in the group.

I like the idea that on a miss, a martial character still helps out their team!

 

[Mezuka]

That would be a good way to boost the poor fighter. I wouldn't apply it to all classes.