D&D 5E Nets and sharpshooter

[trentonjoe]

Does sharpshooter work with nets and other thrown weapons?

If so, a character can take a -5 penalty to attack, attack from 15’ away, and do 10 damage + restrain on a hit right?

 

[Oofta]

I would rule no because the net doesn't do any base damage.

The text says "you add +10 to the attack's damage." Since no damage is ever done, the trigger for the extra damage doesn't happen.

The real answer as always is: ask your DM.

 

[NotAYakk]

Sharpshooter works with "ranged weapons".

There are two thrown weapons that are also "ranged weapons"; the dart and the net.

Sharpshooter states it does "+10" damage. It is probably up to your DM if an attack that deals "-" damage can get additional damage modifiers. But I'm not sure how you'd justify that +10 without also justifying dealing attribute bonus to damage (which few people do).

The amusing choice is to use lightning arrow, which replaces the net attack's damage.

 

[Charlaquin]

Does sharpshooter work with nets and other thrown weapons?

It works with nets and darts, because they are ranged weapons. It doesn’t work with, say, javelins, because they are melee weapons.

If so, a character can take a -5 penalty to attack, attack from 15’ away, and do 10 damage + restrain on a hit right?

No. Nets don’t do damage when you hit with them. You can’t add 10 to the damage of an attack with one any more than you can add 10 to the damage of a successful Deception check.

 

[Oofta]

@NotAYakk has a good point as well. A weapon that can be thrown is not a ranged weapon.

The net is the exception to the (confusing) rule. They are listed under ranged weapons.

Moot point though.

 

[toucanbuzz]

Net damage, never. Sage Advice replied the intent of the net is that it never does damage. Because the net does no damage, you're not adding +10 to 0. Instead, you're trying to add +10 to something that isn't a number.

First 2 benefits of the feat (no disadvantage long range, ignore 1/2 and 3/4 cover) apply to "ranged weapon attacks." See Sage Advice (first 2 benefits apply to daggers, but not the 3rd). The "thrown" weapon quality allows it be used to make a "ranged weapon attack" but does not change it from being a melee weapon without the "ranged" quality.

So, the Net would gain these benefits as a ranged weapon anyways, as would a thrown dagger. The 3rd benefit is for a weapon with the "ranged" quality, so negative on daggers. The language gets a bit confusing because they're intermixing "ranged weapon attack" with "ranged weapon."

 

[NotAYakk]

It works with nets and darts, because they are ranged weapons. It doesn’t work with, say, javelins, because they are melee weapons.

No. Nets don’t do damage when you hit with them. You can’t add 10 to the damage of an attack with one any more than you can add 10 to the damage of a successful Deception check.

So you are saying bards can do it?

"Your outfit is simply stunnnniiinng" (DC 17, 4d4 psychic damage)

 

[Arvok]

I agree that you shouldn't get a bonus to damage, but if you spent the feat I would probably allow you to take a -5 to hit penalty for a bonus to the DC of the first attempt your target makes to escape.

 

[TwoSix]

I’m sure the intent is that you can’t get the +10 damage, but the mental image of throwing your net SO HARD you can kill commoners is funny enough I want to allow it.

 

[Shiroiken]

I’m sure the intent is that you can’t get the +10 damage, but the mental image of throwing your net SO HARD you can kill commoners is funny enough I want to allow it.

I was thinking of it as wrapping the entire net around their neck.