D&D General New Player Question: wouldn't carrying a bow or crossbow be really noisy for a Rogue?

[Lakesidefantasy]

Is there not a ninja archetype?

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Is there not a ninja archetype?

Nothing outright named that, but there are several subclasses of different classes that fit, depending on your preferred level of historical accuracy/hollywood/anime.

 

[Burnside]

People irl hunted with bows for thousands of years and successfully snuck up on prey animals while carrying both the bow and a quiver full of arrows. I think it's safe to say you can realistically be stealthy with a bow.

Crossbow is a different story; it's a weapon designed for warfare, not hunting, and is quite noisy.

But D&D is not a simulator and if you're expecting that level of realism you will be disappointed at every turn.

 

[Charlaquin]

While this may be a boring answer, but weapons have no negative impact on a Stealth check, only certain armors. You will move just as quietly with a bow and quiver as you will with darts or daggers. There are no secret mechanics at play that will mess you up.

There are no secret mechanics, but a jerk DM could decide to penalize you for it. Of course, the standard “don’t play with jerks” advice applies in that case.

 

[Nefermandias]

Hi. I'm setting up my first character in the Rogue class and I don't understand why a thief would want to carry around a quiver of arrows or a cross-bow. Both seem incredibly noisy for a thief. If you strapped down the arrows or cross-bow it seems like it would be too slow to get them ready for quick combat. Isn't there a quieter ranged weapon to carry around? Can you just throw daggers, kunai, shurikens, or something else?

No Dungeon Master would ever think of that.

 

[Ancalagon]

Is there not a ninja archetype?

There is TOTALLY a ninja subclass in the PHB. I SWEAR I am not making this up. However, it is hidden. If you are clever, you will find it, and be able to play a ninja in 5e.

Why don't just tell you? Well, not everyone is worthy of playing a ninja - this is your first test!

 

[Ancalagon]

So if your rogue is proficient in stealth, they "know" how to keep quiet. Part of this is knowing what to do with their equipment to stop it from making noise...

Like if we were to take a very mediocre real life example: I've been noted by colleagues that I am very quiet-footed. I've startled a few by accidents. This amused me a bit. I am not a rogue or particularly dexterous for that matter, but I suppose I have a proficiency? Anyway, thinking about this made me aware of what makes noise when I walk, and most of it is my "gear" - coins or keys jingling, a creaky shoe, swooshing pants. A rogue will routinely take steps to fix all these little noise making problems. I'm sure they will do the same for their quiver.

If you want to really roleplay your equipment selection (good for you!) the best stealth ranged weapon is probably the short bow. It's less loud than a crossbow, and is very quiet until the moment you let your arrow fly. A sling has a lot of advantage, but in real life (NOT in the game rules) there is going to be a bit of noise as you spin it above your head a few times.

A blowgun would be even quieter, but I don't think rogues are proficient with it... you could speak with your GM? But the damage is poor so it's not great.

 

[LordEntrails]

Think of D&D more like a fantasy movie than a fantasy simulation. You can take it seriously, but it should be serious fun, not serious life

 

[Deset Gled]

No Dungeon Master would ever think of that.

I didn't think of it, but now that someone brought it up...

 

[Nikosandros]

There is TOTALLY a ninja subclass in the PHB. I SWEAR I am not making this up. However, it is hidden. If you are clever, you will find it, and be able to play a ninja in 5e.

Why don't just tell you? Well, not everyone is worthy of playing a ninja - this is your first test!

The ninja crouches in the emptiness between two sides of a single page.