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"Why don't you just shoot it?"
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<blockquote data-quote="James Gasik" data-source="post: 7201085" data-attributes="member: 6877472"><p>I see this argument all the time. "Oh, you can't reach an enemy in melee, why don't you have a bow?"</p><p></p><p>It annoys me because yes, you can use a bow to attack enemies at long range, but if you're a melee character, this might not be as easy or effective as it sounds.</p><p></p><p>First of all, let's talk action economy. I can drop a weapon and use my free 'interact with an object' action to equip a ranged weapon. Of course, now my main weapon is on the ground, let's hope I'm not forced to move, or an enemy can't mess with it. If I use two weapons or a shield (since it appears that shields are held in 5e, not strapped to one's arm), then I have two items on the ground, which means I'd have to use an action to pick up both of them later.</p><p></p><p>Now we move onto effectiveness. A Dexterity-based character won't lose any chance to hit, but a Strength-based one might. This might not be more than a few points, but it could be. Since it's impossible to have a consensus on how much of an issue this might be, all I can do is point to the extremes.</p><p></p><p>Dexterity-based melee Fighter: virtually no downside.</p><p>Strength-based Fighter who also has a high Dexterity (Maybe a game that doesn't use point-buy?): likely a slight disadvantage, no more than -2 to hit.</p><p>Strength-based Fighter who doesn't have a good Dexterity: anywhere from -3 to -6 to hit.</p><p></p><p>This isn't taking into account Archery Fighting Style or ranged Feats, such as Sharpshooter (which can have a serious impact if cover is present. If the enemy is easy to hit, to where a normal melee character using a ranged attack isn't really in danger of missing, then the dedicated archer is getting +10 damage to his attacks...). It neither takes into account melee-based Fighting Styles or Feats, which can't be used in these sorts of scenarios.</p><p></p><p>Nor does it take into account magic items, as, again, impossible to have a consensus about their absence or presence.</p><p></p><p>The point I want to make though, is that the ability to attack with a bow as a melee character can be a severe disadvantage, and greatly reduce the impact your character can have on a combat. Yes, having a bow can still allow you to participate in the combat, but it shouldn't be treated as an option that never seriously limits what a character can do in an encounter.</p><p></p><p>And I've seen people treat it in that exact manner far too many times; "Oh fighting a dragon, why don't you have a bow lol".</p><p></p><p>I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "Oh fighting a Wizard with Wind Wall, why don't you have a greatsword lol". And I've never heard anyone say "Oh you're a Sorcerer fighting someone protected by a Globe of Invulnerability, why don't you have a quarterstaff lol".</p><p></p><p>Of course, now that I've said that, I'm sure someone will say it. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="James Gasik, post: 7201085, member: 6877472"] I see this argument all the time. "Oh, you can't reach an enemy in melee, why don't you have a bow?" It annoys me because yes, you can use a bow to attack enemies at long range, but if you're a melee character, this might not be as easy or effective as it sounds. First of all, let's talk action economy. I can drop a weapon and use my free 'interact with an object' action to equip a ranged weapon. Of course, now my main weapon is on the ground, let's hope I'm not forced to move, or an enemy can't mess with it. If I use two weapons or a shield (since it appears that shields are held in 5e, not strapped to one's arm), then I have two items on the ground, which means I'd have to use an action to pick up both of them later. Now we move onto effectiveness. A Dexterity-based character won't lose any chance to hit, but a Strength-based one might. This might not be more than a few points, but it could be. Since it's impossible to have a consensus on how much of an issue this might be, all I can do is point to the extremes. Dexterity-based melee Fighter: virtually no downside. Strength-based Fighter who also has a high Dexterity (Maybe a game that doesn't use point-buy?): likely a slight disadvantage, no more than -2 to hit. Strength-based Fighter who doesn't have a good Dexterity: anywhere from -3 to -6 to hit. This isn't taking into account Archery Fighting Style or ranged Feats, such as Sharpshooter (which can have a serious impact if cover is present. If the enemy is easy to hit, to where a normal melee character using a ranged attack isn't really in danger of missing, then the dedicated archer is getting +10 damage to his attacks...). It neither takes into account melee-based Fighting Styles or Feats, which can't be used in these sorts of scenarios. Nor does it take into account magic items, as, again, impossible to have a consensus about their absence or presence. The point I want to make though, is that the ability to attack with a bow as a melee character can be a severe disadvantage, and greatly reduce the impact your character can have on a combat. Yes, having a bow can still allow you to participate in the combat, but it shouldn't be treated as an option that never seriously limits what a character can do in an encounter. And I've seen people treat it in that exact manner far too many times; "Oh fighting a dragon, why don't you have a bow lol". I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "Oh fighting a Wizard with Wind Wall, why don't you have a greatsword lol". And I've never heard anyone say "Oh you're a Sorcerer fighting someone protected by a Globe of Invulnerability, why don't you have a quarterstaff lol". Of course, now that I've said that, I'm sure someone will say it. :D [/QUOTE]
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