D&D 5E Handling specific moves in combat (disarm, attacking weapons)

[Geordon]

Was running a game recently, and it was my group's first real experience with combat in 5e. It went great, but I came upon a scenario that had me stumped:

One of my players (lvl 1 Dwarf Barb) was attacking a charmed guard. He - like the rest of the party - had no intention of killing the guard he was squaring off with. His exact words were, "I attack the guard with my sword, aiming for his quarterstaff. I want to attack his staff and render it useless, or disarm him."

I've been a DM for a little over two years, entirely 4e, and this is our third 5e session and I'm embarrassed to say I was stumped. I felt as though it was an entirely reasonable action, but I came up blank on how to resolve it, or to allow it. To make the matter more complex, he's the kind of player that would definitely take advantage of that strategy in the future had it been successful (his attack missed AC, so I was saved from having to come up with a solution).

Any suggestions on how I should have handled this, or any thoughts? Have I missed something in the PHB that is incredibly obvious that makes this a non-issue? If this is something I should have absolutely allowed, what's to stop him from attacking the target's weapon in every situation in the future?

 

[BigVanVader]

Well historically, weapons weren't really made out of butter or pinatas. A good quarterstaff can probably take a few solid whacks from a weapon and be alright. Really, it's more likely that it would be knocked out of the person's hands rather than it just breaking outright. And other, sturdier weapons, I imagine it's not a huge issue.

If he starts using it a lot, maybe everyone carries spares. As it is, back in the day everyone and their mother had a knife on them when out on the road. Or, maybe people start targeting -his- weapons.

 

[Rune]

Per the DMG, a disarm attempt is an attack roll vs. either STR (athletics) or DEX (acrobatics)--defender's choice.

I would say the same for a sunder attempt, with success dealing damage to the weapon.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

well there are disarming rules in the DMG...

 

[steeldragons]

What Rune says seems to make sense, as well as being supported by the "rules"...and simple.

[EDIT PS: and welcome to EN world. Have some start up XP. /EDIT]

 

[Psikerlord#]

yeah i think use the dmg disarming option ( or fighter didarm maneuver rules)

 

[PnPgamer]

DMG also states that there is an advantage or disadvantage if the target is smaller or larger than the disarmer, respectively.

 

[Hriston]

DMG also says attacker has disadvantage if item is held with two (or more) hands.

 

[Hriston]

If the dwarf wants to destroy the staff, I'd make him disarm the guard first, and then attack the staff itself with a separate action. Using the rules for Objects (DMG pp. 246-7) I'd give the staff an AC of 15 for being made of wood, and 10 (3d6) hit points for being small and resilient.

 

[Rune]

Upon further reflection, I would combine the two into a single roll. An attack opposed as per a disarm attempt which also must hit the weapon's AC to deal damage to it.