D&D (2024) Paladins can Smite on Ranged attacks (with thrown melee weapons) now!

[UngeheuerLich]

I hate to burst your bubble but you are incorrect on thrown weapons and Paladin Smites.

Melee or Ranged. A weapon is classified as either Melee or Ranged. A Melee weapon is used to attack a target within 5 feet, whereas a Ranged weapon is used to attack at a greater distance.

The Thrown property turns a melee weapon into a ranged attack with a different available attack stat:

Thrown​

If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.

Basically it is no longer a melee weapon if you throw it or the target is farther than 5 feet from you.

A thrown weapon is a melee weapon because it is in the melee weapon table. Has been the case for 10 years now.

 

[ezo]

A thrown weapon is a melee weapon because it is in the melee weapon table. Has been the case for 10 years now.

And thankfully at least Barbarians can add Rage damage to that now... only took WotC 10 years to catch on.

 

[Rune]

A thrown weapon is a melee weapon because it is in the melee weapon table. Has been the case for 10 years now.

Except Darts, which are simple ranged weapons.

Note that the description of the thrown property differentiates between melee weapons with the thrown property and weapons with the thrown property that are not melee weapons.

Per the PHB:

“If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.”

 

[Adamant]

So what would a build look like centered on a thrown weapon Paladin?

I actually have a build centered around this, using the Spear of Backbiting from Tomb of Horrors (it's an Adventurers League character, so I have more access to magic items compared to a home game). He's a Tortle Ancients Paladin 15/Warlock 1, although the Tortle part isn't necessary for the build. The way it works is that I use Pact of the Blade to bond with the Spear of Backbiting, and if I roll a 1 and attack myself Aura of Warding lets me resist the damage (because it can be changed to radiant). The main advantage compared to a melee Paladin is that it lets me keep the aura with more of my allies, but the downside is that I don't stand in the front and take damage for my allies as often. There's a second advantage specific to this character, and that is the ranged capability helping to mitigate the lower AC of a Tortle compared to another species that can wear heavy armor.

 

[Weiley31]

We need more Smite Bullets.

 

[mellored]

I thought there was something about thrown weapon counting as ranged when they where thrown.

Might not be in the new rules.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Except Darts, which are simple ranged weapons.

Note that the description of the thrown property differentiates between melee weapons with the thrown property and weapons with the thrown property that are not melee weapons.

Per the PHB:

“If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.”

Of course, you are correct. Wanted to add that but forgot.

One funny thing about darts is that they are finesse weapons. Which is not needed for rogues using darts, which is not for using dexterity because they are ranged weapons anyway. No, their finesse property allows them to be used with str!

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I thought there was something about thrown weapon counting as ranged when they where thrown.

Might not be in the new rules.

No. Never were.
There just was a thread not long ago confusing ranged weapon (category) with range weapon (property).

 

[Umbran]

The Thrown property turns a melee weapon into a ranged attack with a different available attack stat:

Thrown​

If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.

Basically it is no longer a melee weapon if you throw it or the target is farther than 5 feet from you.

So, being terribly literal here, you aren't correct.

It says you can use a melee weapon to make a ranged attack.
It does not say that you turn a melee weapon into a ranged weapon.

As written, the thrown property provides an exception to how some melee weapons work, rather than changing the classification of a melee weapons when you throw it.

 

[mellored]

So, being terribly literal here, you aren't correct.

It says you can use a melee weapon to make a ranged attack.
It does not say that you turn a melee weapon into a ranged weapon.

As written, the thrown property provides an exception to how some melee weapons work, rather than changing the classification of a melee weapons when you throw it.

That looks right.

It's a "ranged attack" with a "melee weapon".

Which means smite works.
But Archery style and Sharpshooter do not.

So I don't really see a way to build around it, especially as you probably want to be the tank. But it does add some versatility to thunderous smite a flying creature prone.