Why would it be overpowered? Rogues can start with a light crossbow which is 1D8 damage, same as a longbow. The big differences are that crossbows have the loading property and longbows have a range advantage. Otherwise it's the same damage output.
Disclaimer:This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
He's an elf, being able to use a longbow is one of the benefits. You should absolutely /not/ disallow it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Depending on the type of elf this person wants to play then a longbow is perfectly fine. Just from me PHB both high elves and Wood elves have elf weapons training calling longsword, short sword, shortbow, and longbow. So really wouldn't matter what class are playing the racial feat is added on top.
Doesn’t seem overpowered to me at all, especially if starting at level 2. One thing to think about is how the other players will see this—do they have similar opportunities? Probably not a good idea to look like you are playing favorites. Several easy solutions to that:
use starting gold instead of class/background starting equipment and let them just buy what they want, or
let the player have the longbow, but deduct the extra value from whatever 2nd level starting gold you are permitting (assuming you are allowing them to have a little extra gp for starting at 2nd level, or
explicitly tell the other players they can make similar switches, or get a free potion of healing, or some other benefit of similar value
Not overpowered, also it's a feature of him choosing an elf. If you don't want people smashing through combat early levels I'd be more concerned about the variant humans with great weapon or hand crossbow feats
Probably pretty late, but a longbow cost 75 gold and a short bow is 25. The thing is, he could sacrifice several things from starting equipment to take it, or use the gold option instead of starting equipment. To be fair, 75 gold isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things, and like 1-3 quests can reward enough. If you're talking sheer strength, the longbow is definitely better, and just trading them out isn't a good idea. Hope it helps someone.
just have him roll gold, then he can buy it and any other equipment he wants
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Enethia is running a library, Kalnor is with one of his friends(Likely Mithris), Mali is making an elixir, Asari is sad, Ink is dying in Kalnoia, Nox is dead, Zal is eating cheese fries, Tefeerinn is experiencing fuller life, Shardia is watching the safehouse, Mabij is prepping for a trial, Hrakor is running from prophesy, Viperitahk is locked in a strange battle, Void is watching, Redd is writing all of these. See the EXTENSION for the rest
If he wants to switch it up and it works with the world and character, which in this case it does, I can't see why not! Just take a glance over their equipment and balance it out if you feel like it needs it. Reverse a long sword to short, or whatever you feel is appropriate.
Your Starting at level 2. This is more than long enough in their career to have upgraded their bow. Let them have the Longbow. It's not going to change anything for your game. even if you use standard statblock enemies appropriate to them because many characters would have bought the longbow instead already in their first level of adventuring if that's what they really wanted and preferred to use. Being an Elf just makes this all the more likely since all elves train in the long bow.
I typically let them pick a “family heirloom” or other item. They’ve got to provide backstory for the item and make a pitch to me for approval. I would typically let the following things in:
3rd generation family sword (+1), underpowered ring of spell storing from a deceased friend that disintegrates after use, a really nice spear that was traded for goods or services during hard times, or whatever else I deem appropriate.
this makes it interesting, tests the minds, and gets the roll play mood going. Feel free to let your elf pick, and then pitch, the long bow. (Then allow it)
If it's just a standard longbow and not a special magic weapon longbow I really don't see a problem with it, especially starting at level 2. It's a bit more expensive but if it fits their backstory, which as an elf I don't see why not, I'd let them have it.
The extra range won't be too much of an issue unless your early battlemaps are wide open fields without cover. The lack of loading property won't affect them as a rogue, or really any class at that low level. I say go for it.
Also keep in mind that in 5e long/short bow is a shorthand for damage and range not the actual size of the bow. A mongol composite recurve horse bow has the size of a “short bow” but is more like the English/welsh long (self) bow in range and damage. So the real question is - is the extra range and (slight?) extra damage game breaking? Not really. As an elf there is really no way you can force them to not get the longbow at some point so you are going to be stuck with it sooner or later anyway. The nice thing is that SA damage is always D6s so it doesn’t impact that either.
Also keep in mind that in 5e long/short bow is a shorthand for damage and range not the actual size of the bow. A mongol composite recurve horse bow has the size of a “short bow” but is more like the English/welsh long (self) bow in range and damage. So the real question is - is the extra range and (slight?) extra damage game breaking? Not really. As an elf there is really no way you can force them to not get the longbow at some point so you are going to be stuck with it sooner or later anyway. The nice thing is that SA damage is always D6s so it doesn’t impact that either.
Sort of, they did give the longbow and heavy crossbow the heavy property as well as the higher damage die and better range. Implying that the weapon is also, well, heavier than the shortbow/light crossbow counterparts. But this is easy enough to just ignore and reflavor unless playing a small size race, which obviously as an elf they wouldn't be here. The implication seems to be longbows are bigger than shortbows by default, but it can certainly be reflavored.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Got someone wanting to use a longbow instead of Short bow. as beginning equipment
is it that a serious over power for the start of the campaign at LV 2.
He is playing as an elf Rogue so he is proficient with longbows.
Im thinking No atm, but should i say yes?
I'd let him switch the rapier for a longbow, and then he can take the short sword instead of the short bow.
But that's my own narrow-minded thinking ;) you'd probably not do any harm letting him switch out short/long bow, either.
More Interesting Lock Picking Rules
Why would it be overpowered? Rogues can start with a light crossbow which is 1D8 damage, same as a longbow. The big differences are that crossbows have the loading property and longbows have a range advantage. Otherwise it's the same damage output.
They have a longer range, and one more average damage, but that's not a huge difference.
Edit: Yeah, they're an elf. Let them use the longbow.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
He's an elf, being able to use a longbow is one of the benefits. You should absolutely /not/ disallow it.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Depending on the type of elf this person wants to play then a longbow is perfectly fine. Just from me PHB both high elves and Wood elves have elf weapons training calling longsword, short sword, shortbow, and longbow. So really wouldn't matter what class are playing the racial feat is added on top.
Doesn’t seem overpowered to me at all, especially if starting at level 2. One thing to think about is how the other players will see this—do they have similar opportunities? Probably not a good idea to look like you are playing favorites. Several easy solutions to that:
Not overpowered, also it's a feature of him choosing an elf. If you don't want people smashing through combat early levels I'd be more concerned about the variant humans with great weapon or hand crossbow feats
Let him trade the Shortbow (worth 25G) for a Longbow (worth 50 G) and give the rest of the party 25 g each.
Probably pretty late, but a longbow cost 75 gold and a short bow is 25. The thing is, he could sacrifice several things from starting equipment to take it, or use the gold option instead of starting equipment. To be fair, 75 gold isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things, and like 1-3 quests can reward enough. If you're talking sheer strength, the longbow is definitely better, and just trading them out isn't a good idea. Hope it helps someone.
just have him roll gold, then he can buy it and any other equipment he wants
Enethia is running a library, Kalnor is with one of his friends(Likely Mithris), Mali is making an elixir, Asari is sad, Ink is dying in Kalnoia, Nox is dead, Zal is eating cheese fries, Tefeerinn is experiencing fuller life, Shardia is watching the safehouse, Mabij is prepping for a trial, Hrakor is running from prophesy, Viperitahk is locked in a strange battle, Void is watching, Redd is writing all of these. See the EXTENSION for the rest
If he wants to switch it up and it works with the world and character, which in this case it does, I can't see why not! Just take a glance over their equipment and balance it out if you feel like it needs it. Reverse a long sword to short, or whatever you feel is appropriate.
Come on folks.
Whoever heard of an elf with a shortbow?
It ain't natural!
Your Starting at level 2. This is more than long enough in their career to have upgraded their bow. Let them have the Longbow. It's not going to change anything for your game. even if you use standard statblock enemies appropriate to them because many characters would have bought the longbow instead already in their first level of adventuring if that's what they really wanted and preferred to use. Being an Elf just makes this all the more likely since all elves train in the long bow.
When I DM and have my PCs start at level 1 and:
I typically let them pick a “family heirloom” or other item. They’ve got to provide backstory for the item and make a pitch to me for approval. I would typically let the following things in:
3rd generation family sword (+1), underpowered ring of spell storing from a deceased friend that disintegrates after use, a really nice spear that was traded for goods or services during hard times, or whatever else I deem appropriate.
this makes it interesting, tests the minds, and gets the roll play mood going. Feel free to let your elf pick, and then pitch, the long bow. (Then allow it)
Good luck and Roll for initiative!,
If it's just a standard longbow and not a special magic weapon longbow I really don't see a problem with it, especially starting at level 2. It's a bit more expensive but if it fits their backstory, which as an elf I don't see why not, I'd let them have it.
The extra range won't be too much of an issue unless your early battlemaps are wide open fields without cover. The lack of loading property won't affect them as a rogue, or really any class at that low level. I say go for it.
It's more range and literally 1 extra damage over the short bow. I would definitely let him.
Also keep in mind that in 5e long/short bow is a shorthand for damage and range not the actual size of the bow. A mongol composite recurve horse bow has the size of a “short bow” but is more like the English/welsh long (self) bow in range and damage. So the real question is - is the extra range and (slight?) extra damage game breaking? Not really. As an elf there is really no way you can force them to not get the longbow at some point so you are going to be stuck with it sooner or later anyway. The nice thing is that SA damage is always D6s so it doesn’t impact that either.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Sort of, they did give the longbow and heavy crossbow the heavy property as well as the higher damage die and better range. Implying that the weapon is also, well, heavier than the shortbow/light crossbow counterparts. But this is easy enough to just ignore and reflavor unless playing a small size race, which obviously as an elf they wouldn't be here. The implication seems to be longbows are bigger than shortbows by default, but it can certainly be reflavored.