Bolas: A set of bolas consists of two or three heavy wooden spheres connected by lengths of cord. Because the bolas can wrap around an enemy’s leg or other limb, you can use this weapon to make a ranged trip attack against an opponent. You can’t be tripped during your own trip attempt when using a set of bolas. 3rd Edish
The bolas are three balls attached to ropes or cords about a yard in length; the other ends of the cords are tied together in a knot. The wielder of the bolas whirls them by the knot and throws them at a target; if they hit, they wrap around the target, with the balls smashing painfully into the target as they connect. Once they have wrapped themselves around a target, it takes the victim one full round and a successful ability check vs. Strength to get them free. (If the character fails his Strength check, he does not get the bolas free this round.) This weapon does only a little damage, but it is especially useful if you are using the Hit Locations rules from the Combat Rules chapter. If the attacker makes a Called Shot to the target's Legs (he doesn't have to specify which; if the attack hits, it hits both), and successfully attacks, the bolas wrap themselves tightly around his legs. He can no longer run or walk until he gets them free. He must make a Dexterity check just to avoid falling down. In fact, if he was moving when the attack was made, he suffers a –3 penalty to his Dexterity check to avoid falling down. If the attacker makes a Called Shot to the target's Arms (again, he doesn't have to specify; both will be hit) and successfully attacks, the bolas wrap themselves tightly around his arms and torso. He cannot wield his weapon and does not get the AC bonus of his shield until he gets himself free. His roll to free himself is at a –2 penalty to his Strength ability score because he has no leverage. If the attacker makes a Called Shot to the target's Head, the bolas wrap themselves around the target's neck and begin strangling him. (This does not work if the character was wearing a Close-Faced Helm or a Great Helm, described later this chapter.) The bolas do the listed damage on the round they hit. Thereafter, on each successive round where they begin the round still on the victim's throat, they do 1d3 hp of damage from strangulation. The damage stops when they are removed or when the target is dead. Weapon proficiency with the Bolas is not related to any other weapon proficiency. Specialization grants the usual benefits. In case of a Called Shot to the target's head, the damage bonus only applies to the initial hit; it is not added to the subsequent rounds of strangulation. Any leatherworker or weaponsmith can make a set of bolas . . . but he must have exact measurements for the cords and exact weights for the balls to do it right. Simply hearing such a weapon described, the craftsman can make something like it . . . but unless he makes his craftsman ability check by 3 or better, the weapon he makes will be proportioned wrong and will be at a –4 to attack rolls. 2nd Edish
Keeping things simple is essential. What you've described is vastly over complicated. I've kept the damage down to just 1 point of damage since there needs to be a reason not to just use this in place of any other ranged weapon.
Special: When a creature of size Medium or smaller is hit with a Bolas, it must succeed on a DC10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or fall prone.
This, but it should really be a Dexterity saving throw. As a rule of thumb saves are for avoiding bad things imposed on you and ability checks are for actions you voluntarily undertake. Might seem like a fine hair to split but it matters a lot in terms of combat. It's extremely easy to stack bonuses to ability checks, hard to do the same for saves. An ability check would also bypass Legendary Resistance (which is the other big reason why I consider the grappling and shoving rules to be fundamentally broken.)
Special: When a creature of size Medium or smaller is hit with a Bolas, it must succeed on a DC10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or fall prone.
This, but it should really be a Dexterity saving throw. As a rule of thumb saves are for avoiding bad things imposed on you and ability checks are for actions you voluntarily undertake. Might seem like a fine hair to split but it matters a lot in terms of combat. It's extremely easy to stack bonuses to ability checks, hard to do the same for saves. An ability check would also bypass Legendary Resistance (which is the other big reason why I consider the grappling and shoving rules to be fundamentally broken.)
Good point. I actually have an ogre Homebrew monster that has a Bolas attack.
I would personally up the range to 30/90, and the damage to 1d4. They’re designed to subdue when they catch a creature around the legs, but they can kill if you aim for the head.
I would also borrow some additional wording from the Net:
When you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to attack with bolas, you can make only one attack regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make.
Special. When you attack with bolas you can attempt to trip a Medium or smaller target instead of injuring it. When you do, the damage drops to 1, and the creature must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. His special attack does not work on creatures that are formless, or creatures that are Large or larger. A creature knocked prone with bolas cannot stand up until it is freed. Any creature can use its action to make a DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the bolas (AC 10) also frees the creature without harming it, ending the effect and destroying the bolas.
I would personally up the range to 30/90, and the damage to 1d4. They’re designed to subdue when they catch a creature around the legs, but they can kill if you aim for the head.
I would also borrow some additional wording from the Net:
When you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to attack with bolas, you can make only one attack regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make.
Special. When you attack with bolas you can attempt to trip a Medium or smaller target instead of injuring it. When you do, the damage drops to 1, and the creature must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. His special attack does not work on creatures that are formless, or creatures that are Large or larger. A creature knocked prone with bolas cannot stand up until it is freed. Any creature can use its action to make a DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, freeing itself or another creature within its reach on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the bolas (AC 10) also frees the creature without harming it, ending the effect and destroying the bolas.
I like a lot of what you've suggested here, but I also was trying to not just override other existing equipment options. This version - dealing 1d4 damage, with a 90 foot range instead of just 15 feet, effectively replace the net as being useful (although I guess in extremely rare situations you might want to capture without harming a creature). A net costs 1gp, so maybe making a bolas cost 3gp and be considered destroyed after being used might be a way of balancing it?
Nets are already useless in 5e. A net has a range of 5/15, so unless you have the crossbow expert feat, you have disadvantage to Net attacks within normal range, and without the sharpshooter feat you would also have disadvantage on attacks made at long range. Nets always have disadvantage to all attacks unless your DM uses the optional Feats. (Not all do.) And the player still needs two feats to make them suck less. Add to that the laughably low DCs….
For the Bolas I wrote up, they either do 1d4 damage, or they do 1 damage and potentially trip. It’s either/or, not both. And without sharpshooter, anything past 30 feet is at disadvantage and they still have a laughably low (DC 10) save to not get knocked prone. Add to that they could already destroy the bolas to cut themselves free. If you think a range of 30/60 is more appropriate, then go with that. But the normal range should be 30 instead of 20. (Heck, IRL the range would likely be something closer to 90/120, and the Dex Save DC would be 8+PB+Dex mod. But an IRL sling has ranges that outstrip the D&D longbow, and an IRL Longbow would have 4x that range. 🤷♂️)
I tend to think that the ranges of weapons in D&D are more about "how far away can I hit a specific target" than "what's the furthest this weapon can hurl a projectile if I'm shooting straight at it." I don't think we're intended to be arcing shots through the air.
Nope. It’s a game, not a simulation. Now, if it was a Melee weapon with a reach of 15 feet, then it wouldn’t have disadvantage. But being able to make an Opportunity Attack at 15 feet to restrain a target would be a problem.
It is “how far away can I hit a specific target,” the disadvantage to ranged attacks with an enemy within 5 feet has less to do with the enemy being in the way and more to do with trying to make a ranged attack while someone is right next to you trying to chop your face off with an axe.
How would we write out a bolas as a weapon?
Bolas: A set of bolas consists of two or three heavy wooden spheres connected by lengths of cord. Because the bolas can wrap around an enemy’s leg or other limb, you can use this weapon to make a ranged trip attack against an opponent. You can’t be tripped during your own trip attempt when using a set of bolas. 3rd Edish
The bolas are three balls attached to ropes or cords about a yard in length; the other ends of the cords are tied together in a knot. The wielder of the bolas whirls them by the knot and throws them at a target; if they hit, they wrap around the target, with the balls smashing painfully into the target as they connect. Once they have wrapped themselves around a target, it takes the victim one full round and a successful ability check vs. Strength to get them free. (If the character fails his Strength check, he does not get the bolas free this round.)
This weapon does only a little damage, but it is especially useful if you are using the Hit Locations rules from the Combat Rules chapter.
If the attacker makes a Called Shot to the target's Legs (he doesn't have to specify which; if the attack hits, it hits both), and successfully attacks, the bolas wrap themselves tightly around his legs. He can no longer run or walk until he gets them
free. He must make a Dexterity check just to avoid falling down. In fact, if he was moving when the attack was made, he suffers a –3 penalty to his Dexterity check to avoid falling down.
If the attacker makes a Called Shot to the target's Arms (again, he doesn't have to specify; both will be hit) and successfully attacks, the bolas wrap themselves tightly around his arms and torso. He cannot wield his weapon and does not get the AC bonus of his shield until he gets himself free. His roll to free himself is at a –2 penalty to his Strength ability score because he has no leverage.
If the attacker makes a Called Shot to the target's Head, the bolas wrap themselves around the target's neck and begin strangling him. (This does not work if the character was wearing a Close-Faced Helm or a Great Helm, described later this chapter.) The bolas do the listed damage on the round they hit. Thereafter, on each successive round where they begin the round still on the victim's throat, they do 1d3 hp of damage from strangulation. The damage stops when they are removed or when the target is dead.
Weapon proficiency with the Bolas is not related to any other weapon proficiency. Specialization grants the usual benefits. In case of a Called Shot to the target's head, the damage bonus only applies to the initial hit; it is not added to the subsequent rounds of strangulation.
Any leatherworker or weaponsmith can make a set of bolas . . . but he must have exact measurements for the cords and exact weights for the balls to do it right. Simply hearing such a weapon described, the craftsman can make something like it . . . but unless he makes his craftsman ability check by 3 or better, the weapon he makes will be proportioned wrong and will be at a –4 to attack rolls. 2nd Edish
Keeping things simple is essential. What you've described is vastly over complicated. I've kept the damage down to just 1 point of damage since there needs to be a reason not to just use this in place of any other ranged weapon.
I'd go with something like this:
Proficiency with a Bolas allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it.
Special: When a creature of size Medium or smaller is hit with a Bolas, it must succeed on a DC10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or fall prone.
This, but it should really be a Dexterity saving throw. As a rule of thumb saves are for avoiding bad things imposed on you and ability checks are for actions you voluntarily undertake. Might seem like a fine hair to split but it matters a lot in terms of combat. It's extremely easy to stack bonuses to ability checks, hard to do the same for saves. An ability check would also bypass Legendary Resistance (which is the other big reason why I consider the grappling and shoving rules to be fundamentally broken.)
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Good point. I actually have an ogre Homebrew monster that has a Bolas attack.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/1733066-ogre-ironhead
I would personally up the range to 30/90, and the damage to 1d4. They’re designed to subdue when they catch a creature around the legs, but they can kill if you aim for the head.
I would also borrow some additional wording from the Net:
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I like a lot of what you've suggested here, but I also was trying to not just override other existing equipment options. This version - dealing 1d4 damage, with a 90 foot range instead of just 15 feet, effectively replace the net as being useful (although I guess in extremely rare situations you might want to capture without harming a creature). A net costs 1gp, so maybe making a bolas cost 3gp and be considered destroyed after being used might be a way of balancing it?
Nets are already useless in 5e. A net has a range of 5/15, so unless you have the crossbow expert feat, you have disadvantage to Net attacks within normal range, and without the sharpshooter feat you would also have disadvantage on attacks made at long range. Nets always have disadvantage to all attacks unless your DM uses the optional Feats. (Not all do.) And the player still needs two feats to make them suck less. Add to that the laughably low DCs….
For the Bolas I wrote up, they either do 1d4 damage, or they do 1 damage and potentially trip. It’s either/or, not both. And without sharpshooter, anything past 30 feet is at disadvantage and they still have a laughably low (DC 10) save to not get knocked prone. Add to that they could already destroy the bolas to cut themselves free. If you think a range of 30/60 is more appropriate, then go with that. But the normal range should be 30 instead of 20. (Heck, IRL the range would likely be something closer to 90/120, and the Dex Save DC would be 8+PB+Dex mod. But an IRL sling has ranges that outstrip the D&D longbow, and an IRL Longbow would have 4x that range. 🤷♂️)
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Haha I never considered that about nets ^_^
I tend to think that the ranges of weapons in D&D are more about "how far away can I hit a specific target" than "what's the furthest this weapon can hurl a projectile if I'm shooting straight at it." I don't think we're intended to be arcing shots through the air.
Nope. It’s a game, not a simulation. Now, if it was a Melee weapon with a reach of 15 feet, then it wouldn’t have disadvantage. But being able to make an Opportunity Attack at 15 feet to restrain a target would be a problem.
It is “how far away can I hit a specific target,” the disadvantage to ranged attacks with an enemy within 5 feet has less to do with the enemy being in the way and more to do with trying to make a ranged attack while someone is right next to you trying to chop your face off with an axe.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting