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

[Cap'n Kobold]

I've disallowed use of the Polearm Mastery butt strike ability in a couple of situations. I've got a house rule allowing many slashing weapons to deal piercing damage however, so I "room to swing" is less of an issue for a lot of weapons though.

 

[Jediking]

I'm pretty similar to previous answers. If it doesn't make sense, I make a ruling. Weapons with the Heavy and/or Two-Handed tags are given less leeway in cramped spaces, but it is rare.

It does come up a bit more while grappling. I've made it clear in my game that it is more difficult (sometimes only using the hilt for 1d4 Bludg) to attack with a Greatsword than a Dagger while grappled or restrained.

 

[iserith]

I don't like to get to a point where I'm telling a player "No, you can't do that..." which is why in situations where there will be restrictions as to weapon use, I'm going to telegraph that in the description of the environment. Situations like this are pretty rare.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

If it fits the environment they are in sure. Sometimes you have to put your greatsword away, pull your dagger and get to work.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I usually don't but i did in the past under extreme circumstances. PCs had fallen in a Kobold pit trap that was giving right in the middle of their lair. Due to the size of the room and crampness, all medium PCs were forced prone and unable to stand up, and only piercing weapon could be used effectively. Attacks with other weapons had disadvantage.

 

[wedgeski]

Sure I would. A fight in a cramped space (or in any restricted environment) would naturally be an important part of the encounter anyway. I'd be reluctant to say "You can't use that weapon", but I might say it can only be used one handed, and with disadvantage, or some-such.

 

[Imaculata]

I don't like to get to a point where I'm telling a player "No, you can't do that..." which is why in situations where there will be restrictions as to weapon use, I'm going to telegraph that in the description of the environment. Situations like this are pretty rare.

I tend to do the same thing. If the players are about to get into some kind of crawl space that restricts their movement, I will tell them up front what handicaps they face. I will also make suggestions for solutions, such as telling them that a dagger would be small enough to be wielded effectively in such a small space, or to suggest that they draw a weapon that doesn't rely on slashing before entering the crawl space.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Weapons that are thrust don't need a lot of clearance around you, so it depends on the pole-arm.

I'm not sure it's worth worrying about, in general, and as a nerf to GW/Pa-M is probably pointless. You'll just end up nerfing non-GWM large-weapon-swinging types, and it's not like melee types are much in need of that.

 

[Salamandyr]

I haven't enforced any space restrictions thus far in my games. For the most part, I've found people dramatically overestimate the space needs of most weapons anyway.

 

[Psikerlord#]

yeah I warn them ahead of time if certain weapons wont function, or will be at disad if a crawlspace, or whatever. My players tend to carry daggers or knives in any case, so not a big deal. doesnt happen often , however