D&D 5E I thought that I had seen a Range limit to the sneak attack with the Ranged Weapon, 30 feet

[Paraxis]

On the siege weapon issue, I think both of you make very valid points and to me that shows that the RAW on the issue is murky at best, so probably best to just let individual tables/DM's make the call.

For me I have come down on direct fire siege weapons will be considered ranged for the purposes of sneak attack, and I will change indirect siege weapons to AoE save effects instead of attack rolls.

 

[Athinar]

On the siege weapon issue, I think both of you make very valid points and to me that shows that the RAW on the issue is murky at best, so probably best to just let individual tables/DM's make the call.

For me I have come down on direct fire siege weapons will be considered ranged for the purposes of sneak attack, and I will change indirect siege weapons to AoE save effects instead of attack rolls.

Did you read my last post and I agree that "indirect siege weapons to AoE Saves"

1 and 2 and 3.
Pg 147, Thrown. If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that that you would use for the melee attack with the weapon. For example, if you throw a handaxe, you can use your Strength, but if you throw your dagger, you can use either your Strength or your Dexterity, since the dagger is has the finesse property.

3. Javelins has the "Thrown" property so it too can be a Ranged Attack - fits Range Weapon and Melee per "Thrown" pg 147

so add Thrown Weapons into the "Range Weapons as well

DMG came out after the Players handbook so the Siege Weapons was not in the Players handbook, but has Weapon written into the description

We use the Weapon Master Feat to add Siege Weapons

4. Ballista is a massive Crossbow that fires heavy bolts. Fits "Crossbow" in the Range Weapon list and there is nothing in the Sneak Attack that says it has to be your Dexterity to hit but has to be a finesse or Range Weapon

5. "Siege Weapons are not weapons", tell that to the Solders/Sailors/Marines/Air Force in the Civil War, in WW1, WW2, and even today with the cannons that kill thousands, BS
Pg 147 Range. A weapon that can be used to make a ranged attack has a range shown in parentheses after the ammunition or thrown property. The range lists two numbers. The first is the weapon's normal range in feet, and the second indicates the weapon's maximum range. When attacking a target beyond normal range, you have disadvantage on the attack roll. You can't attack a target beyond the weapon's long range.

Nothing about what you have to use to hit with, your Dexterity or the +6 to hit Ballista

 

[Paraxis]

Did you read my last post and I agree that "indirect siege weapons to AoE Saves"

I agree with you on all your points, and have to come to the same conclusions for my table.

I just think that [MENTION=12354]Thyrwyn[/MENTION] makes some valid points as to how the RAW of the situation could also be read, to the point that it made me go from 100% certain as to how the RAW is to not so much, in some cases rule interactions between different sections of the rules don't always mesh right. If I was to play at Thyrwn's table I would have no problem at all with his ruling.

 

[Athinar]

His Table, his Rules, 100%

So the Goblins, Orc and Other creatures can not hit you with the 444 Hit Point Cannon shot (Cleave thru using Range Weapons)

I think the updates will modify the Siege Weapons rules, really the cannon was not meant to be aimed at one creature (well maybe at Dragons)

but the Ballista is my Sniper Rifle (best used in the Inn fighting big Barbarians, but it looked like there was a Time Stop Spell used)

 

[guachi]

1 and 2 and 3.
Pg 147, Thrown. If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that that you would use for the melee attack with the weapon. For example, if you throw a handaxe, you can use your Strength, but if you throw your dagger, you can use either your Strength or your Dexterity, since the dagger is has the finesse property.

3. Javelins has the "Thrown" property so it too can be a Ranged Attack - fits Range Weapon and Melee per "Thrown" pg 147

so add Thrown Weapons into the "Range Weapons as well

You can rule however you'd like at your table, but by RAW javelins, daggers, and any melee weapon with the thrown property are not ranged weapons. Giving a weapon the thrown property doesn't make it a ranged weapon; it only makes it capable of making a ranged attack. Ranged attack =/= ranged weapon. A weapon can't both be a melee weapon and a ranged weapon. The column headings on which is which is quite plain and clear.

 

[Athinar]

The Thrown Dagger was used to make assassination attempts in the 1st and 2nd Ed

Thrown Property makes it a Range Weapon when thrown

 

[Quartz]

Giving a weapon the thrown property doesn't make it a ranged weapon; it only makes it capable of making a ranged attack. Ranged attack =/= ranged weapon.

Pages 147 and 149 of the PHB disagree with you.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

Pages 147 and 149 of the PHB disagree with you.

No, RAW he's right. There's a difference between a ranged weapon and a ranged attack. Simple and Martial Ranged Weapons are listed in the main weapon chart on PHB p.149. A weapon with the Thrown property allows it to make a 'ranged attack' but unless it's listed in the Ranged Weapons sections it's just a Melee Weapon with the Thrown property, not a Ranged Weapon.

 

[Paraxis]

Just remember you can still sneak attack with thrown finesse weapons, just not thrown non-finesse weapons like the spear.

 

[Nebulous]

I don't believe that limit exists in 5th edition, it is the rule in 3.0/3.5/Pathfinder so most likely where you are remembering it from.

EDIT: In 5e, attacks with ranged weapons beyond the normal (first) range category are made at disadvantage, you can't sneak attack if disadvantage is applied so there is that.

And thinking about that, I have been letting a rogue get away with too many dagger throw sneak attacks, the range on a dagger is only (20/60) so anything past 20' can't be a sneak attack.

that's a very easy thing to forget, good to notice.