D&D 5E Do you impose space restrictions on weapons?

[Quartz]

We hear much about the utility of feats like Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master, but do you as DM consider the environment in which the players are fighting and say things like, "No, you're shoulder to shoulder in a narrow corridor. You don't have room to wield that weapon."?

 

[Imaculata]

Most definitely. One of my players was once shuffling sideways through a crack in the wall, and I warned him that there would not be enough space to draw his medium sized weapon, or wield it, unless it was a small weapon. But if the space is at least 5 foot by 5 foot, then it is not a problem.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

Regardless of weapon you need a 5x5 feet area to fight without disadvantage.

 

[Li Shenron]

We hear much about the utility of feats like Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master, but do you as DM consider the environment in which the players are fighting and say things like, "No, you're shoulder to shoulder in a narrow corridor. You don't have room to wield that weapon."?

Yes I do, but at the same time I am rarely featuring combat encounters in cramped areas.

 

[Rhenny]

Inside beasts that swallow pcs whole.

 

[Tallifer]

Polearms and two-handed swords need a lot of room. Even swords are almost useless in my game in a narrow crawlspace. My characters always carry a dagger just in case. Crossbows are better than bows whenever space is an issue.

 

[thalmin]

While there are many conditions under which I would impose restrictions, I have done so only twice in the playtest or 5E (that i can recall).

 

[Ancalagon]

I have done so in the past - it's rare, but it happens.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Yup. Especially when dealing with an airship/swashbuckling campaign. When you're clambering up the rigging, chasing a shifter assassin, in the wind and rain - suddenly those one-handers and light weapons become very appealing - what with the clinging on for dear life.

 

[Gnarl45]

I stick to the rules as written. If the characters are squeezing, they have disadvantage on their attack rolls. I understand why someone might want to adjudicate in this situation but it's a level of detail I don't want to bother with.