On Character Sheets, it seems there is no limit on the number of weapons you can equip, regardless of how many free hands would be required. For example, I can simultaneously equip three Greatclubs despite each one requiring two hands to use. Not only does my Actions list then show three Greatclub attack options, but also that I can somehow still perform an Unarmed Strike.
Surely the system should block you from equipping items for which you don't meet all the requirements – including whether or not you can physically hold it – and hide non-options such as Unarmed Strike while you're currently holding a two-handed weapon.
I agree that listing the Actions related to equipped weapons makes gameplay easier, but I don't think that justifies allowing players to do things they can't legally do. Why should rules like Encumbrance and Proficiency be handled correctly, but not the most basic of equipment requirements?
Especially for new players (like me!), I think it's an opportunity to reduce confusion :)
In the sense of the character sheet, "equipped" doesn't mean, "In your hand and ready to use" - it means, "I would like the attacks for this to be shown on the character sheet please"
Dungeons & Dragons doesn't have an "equipped" condition in the rules.
Also, i do just want to note. You can have an item equipped, specifically a weapon, and it be essentially "available for use".
It is like having a bow equipped while having two shortswords equipped. The swords are not drawn, in their scabbards while you are holding the bow itself, but it is still available and at the ready.
As far as armor is concerned, it is actually completely logical that a person can wear Chain mail and then Plate mail on top of it, in fact there are historical references to this where someone is wearing Leather/Chainmail, Chainmail/platemail Leather/Platemail and in the very rare cases all three. Granted the leather at that point is moreso for comfort factor rather than defensive capability, but where Leather might significantly lessen the effect an arrow might have on someone underneath Platemail, can be somewhat proven. However if you do decide to attempt this, the AC will only be calculated by the Highest modifier provided by the armor itself. Looking into this further, dndbeyond has it coded as such, and most of the time when you read the details for the different types of armor, the above statements where there are multiple layers are taken into account for the gear itself in their descriptions.
Ergo, Stacking armor while it is logical, it is implied that such things are already taking place, and the AC is factored in to only calculate the highest AC and is not something you need to worry about.
What about wearing a mithril chain shirt under heavy armor to negate the disadvantage on stealth?
I cannot think of a single DM who would allow this.
Wearing two armor types does not negate the Stealth disadvantage of heavy armor. It just makes your character wear two pieces of armor, one of which is doing nothing.
Also the AC granted by the shield (which you must hold in one hand?) is reflected in the Character Sheet. The character's AC should drop if he'll be using a wepon that requires both hands like Bow
Also the AC granted by the shield (which you must hold in one hand?) is reflected in the Character Sheet. The character's AC should drop if he'll be using a wepon that requires both hands like Bow
The system can't differentiate between you holding a bow (valid with a shield) and you using a bow (not valid with a shield). The system simply shows the bow attack action if you have it equipped, which covers both holding and using.
There is a limit to how much the system can anticipate/intuit about the status of your character, so it displays the most pertinent information.
On Character Sheets, it seems there is no limit on the number of weapons you can equip, regardless of how many free hands would be required. For example, I can simultaneously equip three Greatclubs despite each one requiring two hands to use. Not only does my Actions list then show three Greatclub attack options, but also that I can somehow still perform an Unarmed Strike.
Surely the system should block you from equipping items for which you don't meet all the requirements – including whether or not you can physically hold it – and hide non-options such as Unarmed Strike while you're currently holding a two-handed weapon.
It's purely for ease of use. An equipped weapon shows up in the actions tab displaying the damage you can do with each weapon for easy visuals.
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I agree that listing the Actions related to equipped weapons makes gameplay easier, but I don't think that justifies allowing players to do things they can't legally do. Why should rules like Encumbrance and Proficiency be handled correctly, but not the most basic of equipment requirements?
Especially for new players (like me!), I think it's an opportunity to reduce confusion :)
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D&D Beyond FoundersIn the sense of the character sheet, "equipped" doesn't mean, "In your hand and ready to use" - it means, "I would like the attacks for this to be shown on the character sheet please"
Dungeons & Dragons doesn't have an "equipped" condition in the rules.
This is merely for the character sheet usage.
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It should also be mentioned that unarmed strikes include kicks, elbows, headbutts, and other attacks that can be made with your hands full.
Got it. Thanks for the responses, everyone.
Also, i do just want to note. You can have an item equipped, specifically a weapon, and it be essentially "available for use".
It is like having a bow equipped while having two shortswords equipped. The swords are not drawn, in their scabbards while you are holding the bow itself, but it is still available and at the ready.
As far as armor is concerned, it is actually completely logical that a person can wear Chain mail and then Plate mail on top of it, in fact there are historical references to this where someone is wearing Leather/Chainmail, Chainmail/platemail Leather/Platemail and in the very rare cases all three. Granted the leather at that point is moreso for comfort factor rather than defensive capability, but where Leather might significantly lessen the effect an arrow might have on someone underneath Platemail, can be somewhat proven. However if you do decide to attempt this, the AC will only be calculated by the Highest modifier provided by the armor itself. Looking into this further, dndbeyond has it coded as such, and most of the time when you read the details for the different types of armor, the above statements where there are multiple layers are taken into account for the gear itself in their descriptions.
Ergo, Stacking armor while it is logical, it is implied that such things are already taking place, and the AC is factored in to only calculate the highest AC and is not something you need to worry about.
What about wearing a mithril chain shirt under heavy armor to negate the disadvantage on stealth?
I cannot think of a single DM who would allow this.
Wearing two armor types does not negate the Stealth disadvantage of heavy armor. It just makes your character wear two pieces of armor, one of which is doing nothing.
Also the AC granted by the shield (which you must hold in one hand?) is reflected in the Character Sheet. The character's AC should drop if he'll be using a wepon that requires both hands like Bow
The system can't differentiate between you holding a bow (valid with a shield) and you using a bow (not valid with a shield). The system simply shows the bow attack action if you have it equipped, which covers both holding and using.
There is a limit to how much the system can anticipate/intuit about the status of your character, so it displays the most pertinent information.
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Sounds like someone needs to Homebrew a ShieldBow.
Problem identified; Recommendation given; All we need now is for Beyond to implement
so just to be sure i can possibly have six swords