There's one big difference: "When you make a ranged attack roll with a weapon, a spell, or some other means, you have Disadvantage on the roll if you are within 5 feet of an enemy who can see you and doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition"
So ranged attacks made while an enemy is too close have disadvantage.
There could then be many other effects which modify or trigger when you make a melee attack or a ranged attack, but each of those effects would call out one or the other in their rules.
That line (which was in the 2014 edition) is no longer in the 2024 edition. I think they actually removed that for spells. It seems that it only applies to ranged weapon attacks.
That line (which was in the 2014 edition) is no longer in the 2024 edition. I think they actually removed that for spells. It seems that it only applies to ranged weapon attacks.
When you make a ranged attack, you fire a bow, hurl an axe, or otherwise send projectiles to strike a foe at a distance. Many spells also involve making a ranged attack.
Range
You can make ranged attacks only against targets within a specified range. If a ranged attack, such as one made with a spell, has a single range, you can’t attack a target beyond this range.
Some ranged attacks, such as those made with a Longbow, have two ranges. The smaller number is the normal range, and the larger number is the long range. Your attack roll has Disadvantage when your target is beyond normal range, and you can’t attack a target beyond long range.
Ranged Attacks in Close Combat
Aiming a ranged attack is more difficult when a foe is next to you. When you make a ranged attack roll with a weapon, a spell, or some other means, you have Disadvantage on the roll if you are within 5 feet of an enemy who can see you and doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition (see the rules glossary).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I've seen the calculations for both attack and they are the same. What exactly is the difference between a melee and ranged attack?
There's one big difference: "When you make a ranged attack roll with a weapon, a spell, or some other means, you have Disadvantage on the roll if you are within 5 feet of an enemy who can see you and doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition"
So ranged attacks made while an enemy is too close have disadvantage.
There could then be many other effects which modify or trigger when you make a melee attack or a ranged attack, but each of those effects would call out one or the other in their rules.
that makes sense, thanks!
That line (which was in the 2014 edition) is no longer in the 2024 edition. I think they actually removed that for spells. It seems that it only applies to ranged weapon attacks.
The spells are still affected by Close Combat: