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<blockquote data-quote="FrogReaver" data-source="post: 8074513" data-attributes="member: 6795602">I dispute the problem.&nbsp; Hear me out though.1.&nbsp; The biggest problems with the idea that bows are better is that the analysis doesn't value the threat of OA's - either for extra damage or for changing enemy behavior (influencing them to attack higher AC characters).2a.&nbsp; A str based melee character will have 2-3 AC over a comparable dex based ranged character (+1 heavy armor, +1 Defensive Style or +2 shield).2b.&nbsp; A dex based melee character will have 2 ac over the comparable dex based ranged character (+2 shield) while also having all the benefits you mentioned above for dex.2.&nbsp; To summarize, melee characters tend to have significantly higher AC's.3.&nbsp; Getting advantage as a melee character is much easier than getting advantage as a ranged character (prone)4.&nbsp; While sharpshooter negates many of the downsides to ranged combat, GWM actually gives a huge buff to melee combat - An extra attack on killing an enemy is huge!5.&nbsp; The only real downside to thrown weapons is their range.&nbsp; A fighter with the dueling fighting style can do 10.5 damage per thrown javelin (9.5 with daggers if dex based) while having 20 AC (19 with daggers).&nbsp; Compare that to a archery fighting style fighter doing 9.5 Damage with a rapier while having 17 AC.*I must also completely disagree with your proposition that dex based characters can easily switch from archery to melee.&nbsp; Attempting to do so means you lose the benefit of your fighting style, and feat support for ranged combat and you still don't have a shield out as it's nearly never worth taking a whole turn to gain +2 AC.**Swift Quiver on a bard at level 10 is pretty bad.&nbsp; Compare it to an eldritch blast and hex warlock at level 11...***There really needs to be a thrown weapon feat!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="FrogReaver, post: 8074513, member: 6795602"] I dispute the problem. Hear me out though. 1. The biggest problems with the idea that bows are better is that the analysis doesn't value the threat of OA's - either for extra damage or for changing enemy behavior (influencing them to attack higher AC characters). 2a. A str based melee character will have 2-3 AC over a comparable dex based ranged character (+1 heavy armor, +1 Defensive Style or +2 shield). 2b. A dex based melee character will have 2 ac over the comparable dex based ranged character (+2 shield) while also having all the benefits you mentioned above for dex. 2. To summarize, melee characters tend to have significantly higher AC's. 3. Getting advantage as a melee character is much easier than getting advantage as a ranged character (prone) 4. While sharpshooter negates many of the downsides to ranged combat, GWM actually gives a huge buff to melee combat - An extra attack on killing an enemy is huge! 5. The only real downside to thrown weapons is their range. A fighter with the dueling fighting style can do 10.5 damage per thrown javelin (9.5 with daggers if dex based) while having 20 AC (19 with daggers). Compare that to a archery fighting style fighter doing 9.5 Damage with a rapier while having 17 AC. *I must also completely disagree with your proposition that dex based characters can easily switch from archery to melee. Attempting to do so means you lose the benefit of your fighting style, and feat support for ranged combat and you still don't have a shield out as it's nearly never worth taking a whole turn to gain +2 AC. **Swift Quiver on a bard at level 10 is pretty bad. Compare it to an eldritch blast and hex warlock at level 11... ***There really needs to be a thrown weapon feat! [/QUOTE]

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