Sneak attack only works with finesse or ranged weapons. The thrown property allows making a ranged attack, but that doesn't mean the weapon becomes ranged. I'm inclined to rule that the answer is no (and thus no sneak attack with a hand axe, javelin, or light hammer) but I wonder if there's an official ruling.
On a related point... if a thrown weapon is still a melee weapon, dueling style should apply to it.
The answer is indeed no. If it's a melee weapon that you're throwing, it's a melee weapon. That you're throwing.
The question of "does Dueling apply to thrown weapons" is a tricky one. It has to do with exact timing that is never very well explained in the books (if at all).
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
So, basically the question is whether or not you are considered to wield the melee weapon that you're throwing in the instant that you make the attack. Which is tough to answer, and quite frankly I'm not going to try to do so. So... ask your DM.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Sneak attack only works with finesse or ranged weapons. The thrown property allows making a ranged attack, but that doesn't mean the weapon becomes ranged. I'm inclined to rule that the answer is no (and thus no sneak attack with a hand axe, javelin, or light hammer) but I wonder if there's an official ruling.
On a related point... if a thrown weapon is still a melee weapon, dueling style should apply to it.
Your inclination is correct, throwing a melee weapon is a “ranged weapon attack,” but it is not an “attack with a ranged weapon.” You could use Sneak Attack with a thrown dagger because it has the finesse property, or with a dart because it is a ranged weapon. You can see the full list of what qualities as a ranged weapon in chapter 5 of the basic rules or PHB.
The Dueling Fighting Style states you have to be “wielding” the weapon, and it’s debatable whether or not you are still “wielding” the weapon once it’s been thrown, so pro’ly not.
The answer is indeed no. If it's a melee weapon that you're throwing, it's a melee weapon. That you're throwing.
The question of "does Dueling apply to thrown weapons" is a tricky one. It has to do with exact timing that is never very well explained in the books (if at all).
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
So, basically the question is whether or not you are considered to wield the melee weapon that you're throwing in the instant that you make the attack. Which is tough to answer, and quite frankly I'm not going to try to do so. So... ask your DM.
The biggest kink in your thoughts are: paladins can’t make ranged smite attacks. But now you’re saying yes he can if he does it with a weapon he throws. That makes little to no sense to me. My opinion.
Further more, how does someone hit with throwing a hammer for instance. You add str. Bonus to damage as in how hard you throw it, but wouldn’t dex be used on the roll to hit because it’s now become a ranged attack. Using Str To hit has zero bearing on anything but the force of impact. Dex would have everything to do with the aim of the throw. Again my opinions only, I’m sure ppl won’t agree, but it makes a little more sense doesn’t it?
Further more, how does someone hit with throwing a hammer for instance. You add str. Bonus to damage as in how hard you throw it, but wouldn’t dex be used on the roll to hit because it’s now become a ranged attack. Using Str To hit has zero bearing on anything but the force of impact. Dex would have everything to do with the aim of the throw. Again my opinions only, I’m sure ppl won’t agree, but it makes a little more sense doesn’t it?
It would possibly make a bit more sense but not by much tbh. I'd say that the rules working as they do is more an ease of use than any try for realism (using the same stat for the same weapon regardless of how you attack is a LOT easier when you use a paper character sheet, which was pretty much always when the rules were written).
The biggest kink in your thoughts are: paladins can’t make ranged smite attacks. But now you’re saying yes he can if he does it with a weapon he throws. That makes little to no sense to me. My opinion.
No he can't.
Divine Smite requires a "Melee Weapon Attack" and if you throw a weapon with the Thrown property then you are making a "Ranged Weapon Attack", albeit with a melee weapon. The concepts of "Ranged/Melee Weapon Attack" and "Ranged/Melee Weapon" are NOT the same (as confusing as that is). Have a look in the SAC for details.
Divine Smite requires a "Melee Weapon Attack" and if you throw a weapon with the Thrown property then you are making a "Ranged Weapon Attack", albeit with a melee weapon. The concepts of "Ranged/Melee Weapon Attack" and "Ranged/Melee Weapon" are NOT the same (as confusing as that is). Have a look in the SAC for details.
There's some reason to think that D&D 2024 will try to clarify that, based on how some parts of monster stat blocks have changed.
There's some reason to think that D&D 2024 will try to clarify that, based on how some parts of monster stat blocks have changed.
Clarity is always good but really I'm just happy that this is a part of the rules where they set some terms and then use them consistently throughout the rules where needed. There are quite a few other part of the rules where they lack both clarity and consistency (and sanity even in some places).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Sneak attack only works with finesse or ranged weapons. The thrown property allows making a ranged attack, but that doesn't mean the weapon becomes ranged. I'm inclined to rule that the answer is no (and thus no sneak attack with a hand axe, javelin, or light hammer) but I wonder if there's an official ruling.
On a related point... if a thrown weapon is still a melee weapon, dueling style should apply to it.
The answer is indeed no. If it's a melee weapon that you're throwing, it's a melee weapon. That you're throwing.
The question of "does Dueling apply to thrown weapons" is a tricky one. It has to do with exact timing that is never very well explained in the books (if at all).
So, basically the question is whether or not you are considered to wield the melee weapon that you're throwing in the instant that you make the attack. Which is tough to answer, and quite frankly I'm not going to try to do so. So... ask your DM.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Your inclination is correct, throwing a melee weapon is a “ranged weapon attack,” but it is not an “attack with a ranged weapon.” You could use Sneak Attack with a thrown dagger because it has the finesse property, or with a dart because it is a ranged weapon. You can see the full list of what qualities as a ranged weapon in chapter 5 of the basic rules or PHB.
The Dueling Fighting Style states you have to be “wielding” the weapon, and it’s debatable whether or not you are still “wielding” the weapon once it’s been thrown, so pro’ly not.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
🥷
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
The biggest kink in your thoughts are: paladins can’t make ranged smite attacks. But now you’re saying yes he can if he does it with a weapon he throws. That makes little to no sense to me. My opinion.
Further more, how does someone hit with throwing a hammer for instance. You add str. Bonus to damage as in how hard you throw it, but wouldn’t dex be used on the roll to hit because it’s now become a ranged attack. Using Str To hit has zero bearing on anything but the force of impact. Dex would have everything to do with the aim of the throw. Again my opinions only, I’m sure ppl won’t agree, but it makes a little more sense doesn’t it?
It would possibly make a bit more sense but not by much tbh. I'd say that the rules working as they do is more an ease of use than any try for realism (using the same stat for the same weapon regardless of how you attack is a LOT easier when you use a paper character sheet, which was pretty much always when the rules were written).
No he can't.
Divine Smite requires a "Melee Weapon Attack" and if you throw a weapon with the Thrown property then you are making a "Ranged Weapon Attack", albeit with a melee weapon. The concepts of "Ranged/Melee Weapon Attack" and "Ranged/Melee Weapon" are NOT the same (as confusing as that is). Have a look in the SAC for details.
There's some reason to think that D&D 2024 will try to clarify that, based on how some parts of monster stat blocks have changed.
Clarity is always good but really I'm just happy that this is a part of the rules where they set some terms and then use them consistently throughout the rules where needed. There are quite a few other part of the rules where they lack both clarity and consistency (and sanity even in some places).