D&D (2024) Blowgun, is there a use for them?

[TiQuinn]

They’re sneaky, and at least in movies, people hit with blowgun darts think they’ve been bitten by an insect before they topple over.

 

[Charlaquin]

Is "flavor" an insufficient reason?

Kinda. I mean, it’s cool for things to exist for flavor. But it sucks when those things don’t also have a practical niche, cause then if you like that flavor, you have to choose between engaging with it and having an effective character. And since D&D is a team sport, choosing not to play an effective character could end up harming the other players’ enjoyment of the game.

 

[Charlaquin]

They’re sneaky, and at least in movies, people hit with blowgun darts think they’ve been bitten by an insect before they topple over.

But the game mechanics don’t reflect that. They don’t have any bonus to concealment or stealth, and they’re no more effective at delivering poisons than any other weapon.

 

[Ashrym]

I imagine it looks badass when a Battlemaster pushes or trips someone with a blowgun dart?

 

[TiQuinn]

But the game mechanics don’t reflect that. They don’t have any bonus to concealment or stealth, and they’re no more effective at delivering poisons than any other weapon.

I’m not really expecting a PC to use a blowgun, and it doesn’t bother me that a weapon that might be for flavor or for NPC use is in the PHB.

 

[Charlaquin]

I’m not really expecting a PC to use a blowgun,

Well yeah, cause they suck

and it doesn’t bother me that a weapon that might be for flavor or for NPC use is in the PHB.

But what if a player wants to use one? They still have to make the choice between playing an effective character or playing a character with a flavorful weapon choice they find appealing. Thats pretty lame if you ask me.

 

[mellored]

They’re sneaky, and at least in movies, people hit with blowgun darts think they’ve been bitten by an insect before they topple over.

Which would of been a really cool weapon mastery to give it.

But it as Vex and Loading.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I removed them from the weapon list and added them to the general items list next to nets and hunters traps. They are used to deliver poison or toxic alchemical reagent at distance.

That would have been a great idea.

 

[Stormonu]

They need a "silent" trait that allows you to use them without breaking hiding. And the weapon entry should list them with a basic "generic" poison dart (say 2d8 poison, half on successful save).

(I have this for my custom rules, and also have the blowpipe [1-handed] and blowgun [2-handed]).

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You probably need to use some real life stuff rather than just RAW to make it useful. It’s easily concealable, it involves minimal movement, making it stealthier than a shortbow, it’s quieter than a bow, it’s more durable - no damp bow strings.

A DM could rule that is can be used without breaking stealth.