Well, after a lot of thought and looking at pre-5e versions I think I have a version of the Bola that could work for 5e, but wanted your opinions on it. I saw other versions that grapple, but really wanted to have a way to knock someone prone. I tried to balance it vs the net and the iron band item and explicitly avoided the restrained condition. I currently have it as a wondrous item, but would prefer it as a mundane martial ranged weapon with 20/60, Finesse, Special with 0 Bludgeoning damage. Here it is as it stands: (The descriptive text came from a website discussing the bola)
Weight: 2lbs, Cost: 2gp
Wondrous Item, common
The bola is an item that consists of weights of various sizes connected together by cord. The weights are made of different materials held in pouches or tied to their cords directly. There are at least three such weights, but there are many different bola designs having as many as 6 or 8 weights. In some designs, the weights are of different sizes, others use weights of equal size, and there are variations in between. The same is true for the cords holding the weights. Sometimes the distance between each weight and the place where the cords come together is equal, other times not.
You can use an action to throw the Bola at a Large or smaller creature you can see within 60 feet of you. The bola is thrown by grasping one of the weights in some designs, while in others, the nexus where the cords come together is held. The whole assembly is often swung over the head in a horizontal plane and released. As they fly through the air, the weights will separate giving the bola a configuration something like a flattened and open net. On striking a target, usually the legs of a creature, the weights will cause the cords to wrap themselves about it tripping the creature.
The bola is not a friendly weapon. It often damages the target by breaking bones and causing other blunt trauma.
Make a ranged attack roll with an attack bonus equal to your Dexterity or Strength modifier, if you have Martial Ranged Weapon proficiency then add your Proficiency modifier. If the target has half cover or better the attack is made at disadvantage. On a hit, the target is Grappled unless it succeeds a Dexterity Saving Throw with a DC equal to the ranged attack roll that hit. If the target has moved at least 10 feet this turn then it is also knocked Prone and receives 1d4 Bludgeoning damage. It can also be thrown to deal 1d4 Bludgeoning damage, but it does not apply the Grappled and Prone conditions.
The Grappled creature can use its action to escape. To do so, it must succeed on a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check DC 10 check. A Bola has no effect on creatures that are formless, or creatures that are Huge or larger. A creature, including the one Grappled, can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength 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 bola.
When you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to throw with a bola, you can make only one attack regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make.
I made them 2lbs to prevent hoarding, and to balance with the Net's 3lbs, but really don't know what would be a reasonable D&D weight.
I understand they are not magical, but item creation in the DnD beyond tools limit it to magical weapons/items as best as I can see. Like I said in my post "I currently have it as a wondrous item, but would prefer it as a mundane martial ranged weapon with 20/60, Finesse, Special with 0 Bludgeoning damage. "
As an item I would generally cut the amount of text beneath the item to a quarter of the current. Most people understand what a bola is, maybe include it as an addendum rather than mix it together with all of the Action descriptors.
Seems really legit and I plan on my worlds guards giving chase to the players having these! I will probably change the Dexterity saving throw to a static DC rather than having all of the extra complexity tied in it.
I live in a state of Brazil where the natives actually used to use this as a weapon for hunting and, sometimes, battles. They are called Boleadeira. It wouldn't hurt as much as it would make the target trip. So I would say on a hit the target is grappled and has to make a DEX save. On a fail, it falls prone and takes 1d6 damage (from the balls + the fall). You could increase it to 1d8 if the target was moving or has moved in the turn.
I would make it not work if the target has half-cover or more because the ideia is to hit the targets legs.
It can also be used in melee, although not very common. I think 1d4 is enough.
And the range is actually pretty far. I would make it 60/180 ft.
Another thing, 2GP for a Boleadeira... NEVER! Unless they were specifically made for rich people using ivory, gold, silver, and things like that. Check out the youtube video I found
Well, after a lot of thought and looking at pre-5e versions I think I have a version of the Bola that could work for 5e, but wanted your opinions on it. I saw other versions that grapple, but really wanted to have a way to knock someone prone. I tried to balance it vs the net and the iron band item and explicitly avoided the restrained condition. I currently have it as a wondrous item, but would prefer it as a mundane martial ranged weapon with 20/60, Finesse, Special with 0 Bludgeoning damage. Here it is as it stands: (The descriptive text came from a website discussing the bola)
The bola is an item that consists of weights of various sizes connected together by cord. The weights are made of different materials held in pouches or tied to their cords directly. There are at least three such weights, but there are many different bola designs having as many as 6 or 8 weights. In some designs, the weights are of different sizes, others use weights of equal size, and there are variations in between. The same is true for the cords holding the weights. Sometimes the distance between each weight and the place where the cords come together is equal, other times not.
You can use an action to throw the Bola at a Large or smaller creature you can see within 60 feet of you. The bola is thrown by grasping one of the weights in some designs, while in others, the nexus where the cords come together is held. The whole assembly is often swung over the head in a horizontal plane and released. As they fly through the air, the weights will separate giving the bola a configuration something like a flattened and open net. On striking a target, usually the legs of a creature, the weights will cause the cords to wrap themselves about it tripping the creature.
The bola is not a friendly weapon. It often damages the target by breaking bones and causing other blunt trauma.
Make a ranged attack roll with an attack bonus equal to your Dexterity or Strength modifier, if you have Martial Ranged Weapon proficiency then add your Proficiency modifier. If the target has half cover or better the attack is made at disadvantage. On a hit, the target is Grappled unless it succeeds a Dexterity Saving Throw with a DC equal to the ranged attack roll that hit. If the target has moved at least 10 feet this turn then it is also knocked Prone and receives 1d4![]()
Bludgeoning damage. It can also be thrown to deal 1d4![]()
Bludgeoning damage, but it does not apply the Grappled and Prone conditions.
The Grappled creature can use its action to escape. To do so, it must succeed on a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check DC 10 check. A Bola has no effect on creatures that are formless, or creatures that are Huge or larger. A creature, including the one Grappled, can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength 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 bola.
When you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to throw with a bola, you can make only one attack regardless of the number of attacks you can normally make.
Notes: Control, Utility
2 lbs is heavy for a bola. 3 weighted real ones weigh about 11 ounces.
Non magical they are not a wondrous item, they are a thrown weapon, and should have a medium and long range, not a set 60 ft.
I would suggest a range of 20/60, and it should be a Martial Ranged weapon.
Thanks for the Feedback.
I made them 2lbs to prevent hoarding, and to balance with the Net's 3lbs, but really don't know what would be a reasonable D&D weight.
I understand they are not magical, but item creation in the DnD beyond tools limit it to magical weapons/items as best as I can see. Like I said in my post "I currently have it as a wondrous item, but would prefer it as a mundane martial ranged weapon with 20/60, Finesse, Special with 0 Bludgeoning damage. "
They should do some damage, those weights are heavy enough to hurt
Interesting
As an item I would generally cut the amount of text beneath the item to a quarter of the current. Most people understand what a bola is, maybe include it as an addendum rather than mix it together with all of the Action descriptors.
Seems really legit and I plan on my worlds guards giving chase to the players having these! I will probably change the Dexterity saving throw to a static DC rather than having all of the extra complexity tied in it.
Could we please just get this added as a Weapon Type. Not much to ask. Seriously.
I live in a state of Brazil where the natives actually used to use this as a weapon for hunting and, sometimes, battles. They are called Boleadeira. It wouldn't hurt as much as it would make the target trip. So I would say on a hit the target is grappled and has to make a DEX save. On a fail, it falls prone and takes 1d6 damage (from the balls + the fall). You could increase it to 1d8 if the target was moving or has moved in the turn.
I would make it not work if the target has half-cover or more because the ideia is to hit the targets legs.
It can also be used in melee, although not very common. I think 1d4 is enough.
And the range is actually pretty far. I would make it 60/180 ft.
Another thing, 2GP for a Boleadeira... NEVER! Unless they were specifically made for rich people using ivory, gold, silver, and things like that. Check out the youtube video I found
Boleadeira - Sites - Portal das Missões (portaldasmissoes.com.br)
A boleadeira - YouTube