Hello there! Had a quick question regarding swapping weapons.
Playing a level 1 fighter with crossbow mastery. I have both a 2h heavy crossbow, and a singular 1h crossbow.
My first turn the only target was 90 units away, so I used the heavy crossbow so as not to be at disadvantage.
However obviously the 1h crossbow does quite a bit more consistent damage.. Therefore I moved closer to use the 1h crossbows, and was told that I could not attack that turn if I wanted to change which weapon I was using.
Is that correct? Am I not able to attack something with the 2h crossbow, then the next turn use a different weapon? Does it take an entire turn to swap weapons?
First, what are 2h and 1h crossbows? Am I missing something?
Normally, you have 1 free object interaction on a turn. I wouldn’t call it a stretch to say that you could stow your 2h crossbow at the end of one turn and draw your 1h crossbow at the beginning of the next one.
So when starting a fight I'd have to draw the heavy crossbow, shoot the heavy crossbow (end turn 1), then turn 2 I can stow the heavy crossbow, and draw the hand crossbow (end turn 2), then turn three I can shoot the hand crossbow? That seems.. inelegant to say the least.
Appreciated! I caught that rule which was why I specified I had a singular hand crossbow. Just trying to understand the weapon swap mechanic in it's entirety.
So when starting a fight I'd have to draw the heavy crossbow, shoot the heavy crossbow (end turn 1), then turn 2 I can stow the heavy crossbow, and draw the hand crossbow (end turn 2), then turn three I can shoot the hand crossbow? That seems.. inelegant to say the least.
Yeah, they didnt want us juggling weapons for some reason.
Also, on turn 2, you could drop the heavy crossbow on the ground and draw and shoot the hand crossbow. Dropping doesn't use the 1 item interaction.
So when starting a fight I'd have to draw the heavy crossbow, shoot the heavy crossbow (end turn 1), then turn 2 I can stow the heavy crossbow, and draw the hand crossbow (end turn 2), then turn three I can shoot the hand crossbow? That seems.. inelegant to say the least.
If you start the fight without a weapon in hand, then turn one draw and fire. Turn two, fire then stow. Turn three, draw then fire. Spending a whole turn swapping weapons should never be necessary.
You may sometimes have to attack with a non-perfect weapon, and when swapping melee weapons you will spend the time between your own turns without a weapon in hand so are restricted to unarmed strikes for Opportunity Attacks.
So when starting a fight I'd have to draw the heavy crossbow, shoot the heavy crossbow (end turn 1), then turn 2 I can stow the heavy crossbow, and draw the hand crossbow (end turn 2), then turn three I can shoot the hand crossbow? That seems.. inelegant to say the least.
Yeah, they didnt want us juggling weapons for some reason.
Also, on turn 2, you could drop the heavy crossbow on the ground and draw and shoot the hand crossbow. Dropping doesn't use the 1 item interaction.
Dropping an item isn't really a rule AFAIK. It's just widely accepted as a house rule.
So when starting a fight I'd have to draw the heavy crossbow, shoot the heavy crossbow (end turn 1), then turn 2 I can stow the heavy crossbow, and draw the hand crossbow (end turn 2), then turn three I can shoot the hand crossbow? That seems.. inelegant to say the least.
Yeah, they didnt want us juggling weapons for some reason.
Also, on turn 2, you could drop the heavy crossbow on the ground and draw and shoot the hand crossbow. Dropping doesn't use the 1 item interaction.
Dropping an item isn't really a rule AFAIK. It's just widely accepted as a house rule.
It is intended, but not written in 5e. I believe they consider it equivalent to a flourish which is completely unlimited.
It is very hard to argue that dropping something requires even a free action. If it does then it takes some kind of action to just open your hand, meaning you couldn't open your fist and then pick up a pen.
The rules on weapons and what's in your hand are a bit awkward. Bit of a tangent, but this is what you get as an interaction for Eldritch Knights who are using a long sword (or other 1h weapon) and shield:
Your turn - make your attacks
Enemy turn - they swing and hit you
You cast Shield to gain +5 AC. But you need to have a free hand for the somatic component, so you have to drop your weapon first.
Shield goes off. You aren't hit.
Enemy picks up your weapon as a free action after making its attacks.
Your turn - use Weapon Bond to get your weapon back into your hand
Repeat
Alternatively, on your own turn you drop it, cast a spell, then free action to pick it up, making it all a lot of palava for nothing.
What about a creature that makes weapon attacks with a two handed weapon (let's say a staff) who then wants to use a Reaction to cast a spell with a somatic component, again, Shield comes to mind. Did they forget to say that they stop holding it in two hands? If so then they have no free hand! Unless letting go of an object can be integrated into an action, reaction or bonus action...
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Hello there! Had a quick question regarding swapping weapons.
Playing a level 1 fighter with crossbow mastery. I have both a 2h heavy crossbow, and a singular 1h crossbow.
My first turn the only target was 90 units away, so I used the heavy crossbow so as not to be at disadvantage.
However obviously the 1h crossbow does quite a bit more consistent damage.. Therefore I moved closer to use the 1h crossbows, and was told that I could not attack that turn if I wanted to change which weapon I was using.
Is that correct? Am I not able to attack something with the 2h crossbow, then the next turn use a different weapon? Does it take an entire turn to swap weapons?
First, what are 2h and 1h crossbows? Am I missing something?
Normally, you have 1 free object interaction on a turn. I wouldn’t call it a stretch to say that you could stow your 2h crossbow at the end of one turn and draw your 1h crossbow at the beginning of the next one.
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Crossbows that require two hands to wield, as opposed to ones that are wielded with a single hand. Sorry if that was unclear.
You can put away OR draw 1 weapon for free each turn. You could drop the first weapon on the ground and use your 1 draw for the hand crossbow.
Also note that the 1 handed hand crossbow still requires the second hand to be empty to reload.
So when starting a fight I'd have to draw the heavy crossbow, shoot the heavy crossbow (end turn 1), then turn 2 I can stow the heavy crossbow, and draw the hand crossbow (end turn 2), then turn three I can shoot the hand crossbow? That seems.. inelegant to say the least.
Appreciated! I caught that rule which was why I specified I had a singular hand crossbow. Just trying to understand the weapon swap mechanic in it's entirety.
Yeah, they didnt want us juggling weapons for some reason.
Also, on turn 2, you could drop the heavy crossbow on the ground and draw and shoot the hand crossbow. Dropping doesn't use the 1 item interaction.
If you start the fight without a weapon in hand, then turn one draw and fire. Turn two, fire then stow. Turn three, draw then fire. Spending a whole turn swapping weapons should never be necessary.
You may sometimes have to attack with a non-perfect weapon, and when swapping melee weapons you will spend the time between your own turns without a weapon in hand so are restricted to unarmed strikes for Opportunity Attacks.
That is a really good idea Regent! Thank you for the advice!
Dropping an item isn't really a rule AFAIK. It's just widely accepted as a house rule.
It is intended, but not written in 5e. I believe they consider it equivalent to a flourish which is completely unlimited.
It is very hard to argue that dropping something requires even a free action. If it does then it takes some kind of action to just open your hand, meaning you couldn't open your fist and then pick up a pen.
The rules on weapons and what's in your hand are a bit awkward. Bit of a tangent, but this is what you get as an interaction for Eldritch Knights who are using a long sword (or other 1h weapon) and shield:
Alternatively, on your own turn you drop it, cast a spell, then free action to pick it up, making it all a lot of palava for nothing.
What about a creature that makes weapon attacks with a two handed weapon (let's say a staff) who then wants to use a Reaction to cast a spell with a somatic component, again, Shield comes to mind. Did they forget to say that they stop holding it in two hands? If so then they have no free hand! Unless letting go of an object can be integrated into an action, reaction or bonus action...