Attacking multiple targets

[Graz]

My group is trying to get clarification on attacking multiple targets in one round. Here are the scenarios:

A. Player with multiple attacks with the same weapon. Can he attack different people with the different attacks. (Cleave is obvious here, but if he doesn't kill the target with a swing can he switch to a different target during that round?)

B. Player with two weapons. Is it possible to attack opponent A with weapon 1 and attack opponent B with weapon 2? Or do you have to have both weapons on the same target.

C. Player with a double weapon. Can you attack different targets with each side of the double weapon. So a pc with an orc double axe could attack opponent A with the first side of the axe and then attack opponent B in with the second side of the axe?

We've looked in the PHB and DMG and haven't found anything that specifically says you can or can't, but its easily possible we missed something.

Can anyone comment on which of these scenarios is valid?

 

[kreynolds]

A. Player with multiple attacks with the same weapon. Can he attack different people with the different attacks.

Yes.

B. Player with two weapons. Is it possible to attack opponent A with weapon 1 and attack opponent B with weapon 2?

Yes.

Or do you have to have both weapons on the same target.

No.

C. Player with a double weapon. Can you attack different targets with each side of the double weapon. So a pc with an orc double axe could attack opponent A with the first side of the axe and then attack opponent B in with the second side of the axe?

A double weapon is no different than fighting with 2 weapons. See previous answers.

 

[Grazzt]

My group is trying to get clarification on attacking multiple targets in one round. Here are the scenarios:

A. Player with multiple attacks with the same weapon. Can he attack different people with the different attacks. (Cleave is obvious here, but if he doesn't kill the target with a swing can he switch to a different target during that round?)

Page 124, PHB, "Full Attack"

"You do not need to specify the targets of your attacks ahead of time. Going by this, I would assume you can attack more than one opponent if you have multiple attacks each round.

B. Player with two weapons. Is it possible to attack opponent A with weapon 1 and attack opponent B with weapon 2? Or do you have to have both weapons on the same target.

Yeppers- I would say Yes.

C. Player with a double weapon. Can you attack different targets with each side of the double weapon. So a pc with an orc double axe could attack opponent A with the first side of the axe and then attack opponent B in with the second side of the axe?

Yeppers- two weapon fighting and fighting with a double weapon are essentially the same thing. (page 125 and page 102, Quarterstaff, for example)

 

[AGGEMAM]

We've looked in the PHB and DMG and haven't found anything that specifically says you can or can't, but its easily possible we missed something.

It is in PHB, page 124, under Full Attack, 1st paragraph, 2nd sentence.

Oh yeah, and all of the scenarios are valid.

 

[Darklone]

Yeah, there's a description at that page that you can even decide after your first attack to go on with the other attacks (assuming you took the penalty for TWF if that's the case) or take your ME action instead.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Grazzt,

are you spinning a little administrator magic?

 

[Graz]

Thanks.

The situation came up on Saturday and the DM made an interim ruling until we could find our for sure.