D&D 5E Sharpshooter works together with throw weapons?

[TaranTheWanderer]

The wording is pretty explicit, here:



The thrown property does not turn a melee weapon into a thrown weapon, it mearly allows you to make a ranged attack by throwing it, and, additionally, if it is a melee weapon, you use Str for the attack and damage rolls. This last part is mandatory, unless the weapon has finesse.

Of course, if it is a ranged weapon with the thrown property, you can only use Dex unless it is also a finesse weapon. This is because ranged weapon attacks all use Dex and the finesse property allows you to choose to use Str or Dex with that weapon’s attacks and damage.

What’s my point in bringing all of this up? The point is, there is a clear distinction in the rules between melee weapons with the thrown property and ranged weapons with the thrown property. They function differently.

I’m not arguing the rule. I’m just saying I’d allow it as I don’t really see it as unbalanced.

 

[jmartkdr2]

I think bows are more powerful than thrown weapons. To me it feels suboptimal to put it on a thrown weapon. That’s why I’d allow it. Am I missing something?

If you know you're making a houserule, you haven't missed anything. It's not even a bad houserule (I would do the same thing) - but in online fora it's important to distinguish between "what I think the rules say" and "what I do instead."

 

[Mort]

I think bows are more powerful than thrown weapons. To me it feels suboptimal to put it on a thrown weapon. That’s why I’d allow it. Am I missing something?

Not much, except thrown weapons such as daggers, throwing axes, etc. can also be used effectively in melee where a pure ranged weapon can't. Not sure that's huge, but it's something.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

If you know you're making a houserule, you haven't missed anything. It's not even a bad houserule (I would do the same thing) - but in online fora it's important to distinguish between "what I think the rules say" and "what I do instead."

Fair enough. My first post implied it worked but, after reading the other posters, I changed my mind. I’d still allow it. Unless someone can point out a way it can be abused.

 

[jmartkdr2]

Fair enough. My first post implied it worked but, after reading the other posters, I changed my mind. I’d still allow it. Unless someone can point out a way it can be abused.

I'm sure there's some bizarre combination of crit-fishing a sorlockadin with throwing knives that gets 15% more dps under this houserule that could really mess up your 1/day, 1-on-1, pvp arena battles or some such...

but nah yeah mate it's fine.

 

[Mort]

I'm sure there's some bizarre combination of crit-fishing a sorlockadin with throwing knives that gets 15% more dps under this houserule that could really mess up your 1/day, 1-on-1, pvp arena battles or some such...

but nah yeah mate it's fine.

If you allow a Paladin to smite at range - boy are you asking for it!

 

[jmartkdr2]

If you allow a Paladin to smite at range - boy are you asking for it!

Strictly speaking, Improved Divine Smite works with thrown melee weapons, since it specifies melee weapons, not melee attacks.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Strictly speaking, Improved Divine Smite works with thrown melee weapons, since it specifies melee weapons, not melee attacks.

I see a character concept in the making...

 

[Mort]

Strictly speaking, Improved Divine Smite works with thrown melee weapons, since it specifies melee weapons, not melee attacks.

I think you're technically correct but it's a bit confusing:

By 11th level, you are so suffused with righteous might that all your melee weapon strikes carry divine power with them. Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon, the creature takes an extra 1d8 radiant damage.

So yes, technically since thrown weapons are still melee weapons then yes this works - but it's weird.

That said, that's only 1d8 (to every attack) not pushing up to 5d8 - so it's not the be all end all.

 

[Rune]

I think you're technically correct but it's a bit confusing:

By 11th level, you are so suffused with righteous might that all your melee weapon strikes carry divine power with them. Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon, the creature takes an extra 1d8 radiant damage.

So yes, technically since thrown weapons are still melee weapons then yes this works - but it's weird.

That said, that's only 1d8 (to every attack) not pushing up to 5d8 - so it's not the be all end all.

Not all thrown weapons are melee weapons. Darts and nets aren’t.