Probably because they're not as common as sword. There's a handul of magic bows, and generic magic enchantment for any weapons such as Vicious Weapon, Dragon's Wrath Weapon, Weapon of Warning and Weapon +1-3 can be bows.
Relatively speaking, there’s maybe 3 classes that will make regular use of bows, and about 8 that can use some form of sword. Also, most weapon enchantments can be moved between different weapons without issue, so the discrepancy is somewhat cosmetic.
In addition to the other comments - The great thing about D&D is that when you can't find the item you want, you can create it yourself. Homebrewing specialty magical items for my players is one of the things I enjoy about being a DM.
Yeah, there should be more but they definitely aren't as in demand as swords. Some: Organ bow, warning, weapon of certain death, +1,2,3, vicious, ruidium,, healing hearth, hellfire short bow, corpse slayer, dragon wing, Bow of the Silverwing.
Also, there are about half a dozen magical quivers that I know of, plus arrows: unbreakable arrow, arrow of slaying, and Ballistae Grenade Bolt.
Critical role has a few more bows including blazing bowstring, fenthras, bloodseeking, sky sentinal, condemner, tinker top, security cannon.
I think 5e wanted to be more "traditional" with bows by mostly putting enchantments on arrows. My impression is that they wanted archers to have more of a Batman/Hawkeye feel where you have a few tricks up your sleeve for certain situations. This would give it a different feel than your typical always-on melee enchantment. Maybe they were afraid of potential bow/arrow combos if both could have magical properties.
Later on in the life cycle of the game they released a few magic bows in response to complaints like OP's. I think there's a lot of cool design space they left on the table, but fortunately you can homebrew stuff that you feel is missing.
And then there's just the fact that pretty much every weapon type outside of swords has to mostly rely on the "generic" enchantments. The devs really, really, REALLY like magic swords. Other weapons, not so much.
I never checked that closely but i wouldn't be surprised if after swords, bows are among the most listed magic weapons type.
There are a lot of staffs, so that may be #2. And yeah, a lot of them are for spellcaster, but you can still smack someone with them -- they are weapons.
I never checked that closely but i wouldn't be surprised if after swords, bows are among the most listed magic weapons type.
There are a lot of staffs, so that may be #2. And yeah, a lot of them are for spellcaster, but you can still smack someone with them -- they are weapons.
They’re a separate category of magic item, though.
I never checked that closely but i wouldn't be surprised if after swords, bows are among the most listed magic weapons type.
There are a lot of staffs, so that may be #2. And yeah, a lot of them are for spellcaster, but you can still smack someone with them -- they are weapons.
Staffs are not weapons but a different type. There's a couple mace, daggers, axe and warhammer but don't appear to have as many.
Relatively speaking, there’s maybe 3 classes that will make regular use of bows, and about 8 that can use some form of sword. Also, most weapon enchantments can be moved between different weapons without issue, so the discrepancy is somewhat cosmetic.
I think 5e wanted to be more "traditional" with bows by mostly putting enchantments on arrows. My impression is that they wanted archers to have more of a Batman/Hawkeye feel where you have a few tricks up your sleeve for certain situations. This would give it a different feel than your typical always-on melee enchantment. Maybe they were afraid of potential bow/arrow combos if both could have magical properties.
Later on in the life cycle of the game they released a few magic bows in response to complaints like OP's. I think there's a lot of cool design space they left on the table, but fortunately you can homebrew stuff that you feel is missing.
And then there's just the fact that pretty much every weapon type outside of swords has to mostly rely on the "generic" enchantments. The devs really, really, REALLY like magic swords. Other weapons, not so much.
if they really wanted a Hawkeye/Green Arrow feel they probably should have made the arcane archer not so trash. At least make the arcane shot work like maneuvers where you get more over time.
Relatively speaking, there’s maybe 3 classes that will make regular use of bows, and about 8 that can use some form of sword. Also, most weapon enchantments can be moved between different weapons without issue, so the discrepancy is somewhat cosmetic.
Relatively speaking, there’s maybe 3 classes that will make regular use of bows, and about 8 that can use some form of sword. Also, most weapon enchantments can be moved between different weapons without issue, so the discrepancy is somewhat cosmetic.
I think 5e wanted to be more "traditional" with bows by mostly putting enchantments on arrows. My impression is that they wanted archers to have more of a Batman/Hawkeye feel where you have a few tricks up your sleeve for certain situations. This would give it a different feel than your typical always-on melee enchantment. Maybe they were afraid of potential bow/arrow combos if both could have magical properties.
Later on in the life cycle of the game they released a few magic bows in response to complaints like OP's. I think there's a lot of cool design space they left on the table, but fortunately you can homebrew stuff that you feel is missing.
And then there's just the fact that pretty much every weapon type outside of swords has to mostly rely on the "generic" enchantments. The devs really, really, REALLY like magic swords. Other weapons, not so much.
I could see most of the magic bow enchantments I mentioned being redone as arrows. But the increased range and Hunters Bow seem to better as a bow, not an arrow.
Why are there not more types of magic bow?
Probably because they're not as common as sword. There's a handul of magic bows, and generic magic enchantment for any weapons such as Vicious Weapon, Dragon's Wrath Weapon, Weapon of Warning and Weapon +1-3 can be bows.
Magic Items for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5e) - D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com)
Relatively speaking, there’s maybe 3 classes that will make regular use of bows, and about 8 that can use some form of sword. Also, most weapon enchantments can be moved between different weapons without issue, so the discrepancy is somewhat cosmetic.
In addition to the other comments - The great thing about D&D is that when you can't find the item you want, you can create it yourself. Homebrewing specialty magical items for my players is one of the things I enjoy about being a DM.
I can easily see more bow enchantments. After thinking about it, I am surprised they do not already exist.
Far weapon - doubles the range
All Seeing - Upon command, when you fire this weapon it strikes a random unseen target in short range, without disadvantage
Hunting bow - if an arrow fired from t is bow reduces a Beast to 0 hp, it skins and butchers it perfectly, leaving the 50% more meat and leather.
Triple bow - using a charge lets you fire three arrows, one each on three different targets with 40 ft of each other.
Line bow - magically makes a silk rope attached to whatever you hit.
Mage Killer bow - ignores any force based armor (Mage Armor and Shield)
Yeah, there should be more but they definitely aren't as in demand as swords. Some: Organ bow, warning, weapon of certain death, +1,2,3, vicious, ruidium,, healing hearth, hellfire short bow, corpse slayer, dragon wing, Bow of the Silverwing.
Also, there are about half a dozen magical quivers that I know of, plus arrows: unbreakable arrow, arrow of slaying, and Ballistae Grenade Bolt.
Critical role has a few more bows including blazing bowstring, fenthras, bloodseeking, sky sentinal, condemner, tinker top, security cannon.
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I think 5e wanted to be more "traditional" with bows by mostly putting enchantments on arrows. My impression is that they wanted archers to have more of a Batman/Hawkeye feel where you have a few tricks up your sleeve for certain situations. This would give it a different feel than your typical always-on melee enchantment. Maybe they were afraid of potential bow/arrow combos if both could have magical properties.
Later on in the life cycle of the game they released a few magic bows in response to complaints like OP's. I think there's a lot of cool design space they left on the table, but fortunately you can homebrew stuff that you feel is missing.
And then there's just the fact that pretty much every weapon type outside of swords has to mostly rely on the "generic" enchantments. The devs really, really, REALLY like magic swords. Other weapons, not so much.
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(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
People in general like swords; there’s several tropes on the topic.
I never checked that closely but i wouldn't be surprised if after swords, bows are among the most listed magic weapons type.
There are a lot of staffs, so that may be #2. And yeah, a lot of them are for spellcaster, but you can still smack someone with them -- they are weapons.
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
They’re a separate category of magic item, though.
Just ask your DM. The magic items have never been all inclusive. They have always been just an example of what you can find.
Staffs are not weapons but a different type. There's a couple mace, daggers, axe and warhammer but don't appear to have as many.
Fifth Edition has a serious bias toward swords when it comes to magic weapons.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I dunno, a flame tongue longbow might be a bit much. Just sayin.’
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if they really wanted a Hawkeye/Green Arrow feel they probably should have made the arcane archer not so trash. At least make the arcane shot work like maneuvers where you get more over time.
Would it really be that much better than a Dragon Wing Bow?
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
True, but man some of my PCs would LOVE it.
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I could see most of the magic bow enchantments I mentioned being redone as arrows. But the increased range and Hunters Bow seem to better as a bow, not an arrow.
That Hunter Bow is not really a useful magic item since its effect is something that isn't quantified in the first place.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.