Please verify: you can threaten while unarmed.

[Danzauker]

My interpretation (RAI) is that when they say "You can't use a ranged weapon as a melee weapon", they mean to say (for example) "You cannot fire arrows out of a bow and call it a melee weapon" and thus I would allow a bow to be used as an improvised weapon.

This, definitely.

The rule is there to prevent players to abuse class powers or claim they're not getting an OA because they're firing their arrows to an opponent in melee.

If you use a bow to whack people around, you're not going to get any mechanical benefit (actually, since it does the same damage of other improvised weapons, unarmed attacks included, all you're going to get is some raised brows), I see no reason to prohibit it.

 

[RigaMortus2]

This, definitely.

The rule is there to prevent players to abuse class powers or claim they're not getting an OA because they're firing their arrows to an opponent in melee.

If you use a bow to whack people around, you're not going to get any mechanical benefit (actually, since it does the same damage of other improvised weapons, unarmed attacks included, all you're going to get is some raised brows), I see no reason to prohibit it.

But there is a mechanical beenfit. You are allowing them to take an OA where they normally would not be allowed (if you were strictly following RAW).

 

[tiornys]

But there is a mechanical beenfit. You are allowing them to take an OA where they normally would not be allowed (if you were strictly following RAW).

Not true. Even if you rule that both of their hands are occupied by their bow, they still have kicks, elbows, knees and head butts available to them for unarmed attacks (see PHB p. 216).

t~

 

[Danzauker]

Not true. Even if you rule that both of their hands are occupied by their bow, they still have kicks, elbows, knees and head butts available to them for unarmed attacks (see PHB p. 216).

t~

Exactly.

 

[Jhaelen]

How you choose to resolve this for your own group is up to you. My interpretation (RAI) is that when they say "You can't use a ranged weapon as a melee weapon", they mean to say (for example) "You cannot fire arrows out of a bow and call it a melee weapon" and thus I would allow a bow to be used as an improvised weapon.

And we have a winner!

 

[Alabast]

When they say that you can't you a ranged as a melee weapon, they mean that it's ineligible for use with melee-range powers that have the weapon keyword and keep it's normal proficiency bonus and damage values. You can still use it as an improvised weapon. For example, A fighter couldn't fire a bow to attack with "Sure Strike," and keep his proficiency bonus to hit and inflict 1d10 damage.

You can still use a ranged weapon as an improvised weapon, which, unless I'm mistaken, is the same damage as an unarmed strike, anyway.

I don't have the books with me. Can anyone confirm my hunch that you can't use an improvised weapon for anything but a basic attack?