D&D General Shillelagh on a Longbow?

[Xeviat]

Would you let someone cast Shillelagh on a bow? I think it would be a neat trick for a ranger.

 

[Deset Gled]

Sounds a little too much like power creep for my taste.

But I might be open to trying a version for bows that has a casting time of 1 action instead of 1 bonus action (keeping the duration as 1 minute). That would make it a little tactical instead of just a free buff.

 

[MarkB]

To make it function as both a melee and ranged weapon? Could be cool.

To let them use their spellcasting modifier for ranged attacks? Maybe not.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Would you let someone cast Shillelagh on a bow? I think it would be a neat trick for a ranger.

I would allow it if the bow was unstrung. But no fast switching. It's either a bow or a stave, not both at the same time!

 

[Lanefan]

Only if the wielder wants to use the bow as a club rather than a bow.

I mean, sure you can cast Shillelagh on a bow whenever you like but it won't have any effect if the bow is being used for its intended purpose of shooting arrows.

 

[mellored]

Would you let someone cast Shillelagh on a bow? I think it would be a neat trick for a ranger.

It says club or quarter staff, so that’s a house rule.

But I don't see any big balance issues letting a ranger attack with Wis. They are trading AC from their Dex for more spell DC. Which seems fair.

I wouldn't give them the scaling damage. And they can't do it in heavy armor.

 

[Oofta]

I can see a longbow being used as a club, although the spell would have no effect on ranged attacks. On the other hand, it might not be great for the longbow to use like that so I'd likely think of some chance of it breaking. Maybe a saving throw if you roll a 1.

 

[MarkB]

I can see a longbow being used as a club, although the spell would have no effect on ranged attacks. On the other hand, it might not be great for the longbow to use like that so I'd likely think of some chance of it breaking. Maybe a saving throw if you roll a 1.

The concept reminds me of Atreus in God of War Ragnarok, switching between shooting enemies with his bow and beating them over the head with it. Of course, that bow is heavily enchanted and can take a pounding, but I love the visual of it.

 

[Theory of Games]

Would you let someone cast Shillelagh on a bow? I think it would be a neat trick for a ranger.

Why do they want to do this? What are they trying to do?

 

[Fanaelialae]

In 5.5 the Sharpshooter feat allows you to fire in melee (which used to require Crossbow Master). By 4th level I would expect most bow focused characters to take that feat. So I don't think it would be an issue in terms of balance. Story-wise that would be a matter of preference.

It's admittedly a fair amount stronger in 5.0.