D&D 5E Determining an animal's attack stat

[jaelis]

(or say something like a Ray of Clumsiness [which totally should be a thing])

At my table RoE affects all weapon attacks.

 

[epithet]

How do you feel about such a beast being subject to a Ray of Enfeeblement? If some weird lizard creature has Strength 14 and Dex 12, can it switch to using Dex for its claw attack in order to avoid dealing half damage?

Maybe it is just me, but I think str-based users of a versatile weapon use the weapon differently then dex-based users--the outcome is the same (stick them with the pointy end), but the process is different. This relates to the beasts in that I don't think a beast is smart enough to switch from str to dex if hit with a Ray of Enfeeblement (or say something like a Ray of Clumsiness [which totally should be a thing]) in the middle of a fight. To be honest, I am not sure many humanoids have sufficient training to make that kind of change on the fly (not for anyone less skilled than the NPC Champion).

While I don't dispute your logic, I think that's overthinking it. I'd treat it like a versatile weapon for the panther, and unless I decided to house rule that your attack stat for a versatile weapon couldn't be switched except at a long rest or something I'd just let it go. I mean, I haven't heard anyone suggest that the beastmaster ranger is overpowered, so I'm not really looking for a way to curb the runaway might of the fierce panther companion.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Just for clarification: When people in this thread are talking about "versatile" weapons, do they really mean Finesse?

 

[MechaTarrasque]

While I don't dispute your logic, I think that's overthinking it. I'd treat it like a versatile weapon for the panther, and unless I decided to house rule that your attack stat for a versatile weapon couldn't be switched except at a long rest or something I'd just let it go. I mean, I haven't heard anyone suggest that the beastmaster ranger is overpowered, so I'm not really looking for a way to curb the runaway might of the fierce panther companion.

I am pretty sure the ranger can just yell "Pickacho, use Dexterity Attack" and that problem goes away. To be honest, I don't recall running a bad guy who zaps the ranger's pet with RoE or hearing about it happening (not to mention I don't recall anyone ever saying RoE is overpowered); it pretty only shows up when the wizard overinvests in fire spells and runs into a devil.......

 

[jaelis]

Oh BTW, this was actually addressed on twitter:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/10/1...ses-str-or-dex-to-calculate-its-attack-bonus/

How can I tell whether a creature uses Str or Dex to calculate its attack bonus if the two are equal (Panther)
Crawford: If the distinction is relevant, the DM decides