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

[Micah Sweet]

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.

Again, sounds like a place for special rules.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Well yeah, cause they suck

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.

So what? It's the PCs choice. Besides, maybe the DM doesn't allow more efficient poison-delivery systems in their campaign.

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

Can anyone think of a reason to use a blowgun?

Because you are somewhere that hardwood doesn't grow, for example a pulp-movie jungle.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Because you are somewhere that hardwood doesn't grow, for example a pulp-movie jungle.

So 'the DM is making you'?

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

So 'the DM is making you'?

Not at all. It's a matter of world-building.

For example, the game I'm running tomorrow has the characters in a tropical jungle. There aren't any hardwood trees so there is no justification for all of the tribals having bows. Instead, they all have blowguns. With poisoned darts, since there are many poisonous animals in the rainforest.

Much like how actual native peoples in such places use blowguns…

 

[Vaalingrade]

And you--as the DM--decided to place them in a place where they can't have bows. So the DM is making them, yes?