Hi.

Some of the characters in my campaign have melee weapons that can be used ranged, e.g. daggers.

But the only way to roll to hit uses STR.

How can I roll to hit using DEX?

Thanks!

If the character has higher Str, they throw with Str.

Yes, it's finesse, so you can make a melee attack, or throw it and make a ranged attack, and for either one, you can use Strength or Dex. 

Fair certain that DDB will automatically calculate using the better of two options.

Quote from Wysperra >>

Fair certain that DDB will automatically calculate using the better of two options.

 Oh, I had no idea! That's kinda nice. 

Thanks, that's good to know about it using the higher attribute and that either can be used for throwing.

However, I have here a Dwarf with a STR of +2 and a DEX of +3, a Proficiency Bonus of +2, and the only option I have for a Handaxe (which even says "Thrown" in the description to the right) is to roll +4 to hit.

That should be +5 if thrown with a DEX of +3, correct?

A Handaxe is not a finesse weapon and can only use Strength.

Even when it is thrown?

I thought Finesse is for Melee only...

Nope, it’s for melee weapons, not melee attacks. If it doesn’t have finesse, you can’t use Dex for it. Despite it being thrown, it’s still a melee weapon.

Oh, wow, that's a major change from previous editions...

Now it makes sense - thanks for clearing it up for me!