I'm curious as I'm having trouble finding information on this. Is there a rule about that if you're a bow user and you're aiming at a target that's 10ft+ away but there's a different enemy within 5ft of the bow user, grants automatic disadvantage on all bow attacks against creatures being shot that aren't the one within 5ft of the bow user?
FayetteGamer Is incorrect. Having any enemy within 5 ft imposes disadvantage on all ranged attacks (weapons & spells) against any target. Logically, it’s hard to aim a shot when someone is trying to chop your face off with an axe.
I'm curious as I'm having trouble finding information on this. Is there a rule about that if you're a bow user and you're aiming at a target that's 10ft+ away but there's a different enemy within 5ft of the bow user, grants automatic disadvantage on all bow attacks against creatures being shot that aren't the one within 5ft of the bow user?
It's not the distance to your target that causes the Disadvantage, it's that you're cramped by having a bad guy standing next to you.
Though, this does make me ponder, wouldn't that apply to any melee attack made when you have more than 1 hostile creature next to you? If you're paying attention to 1 hostile and there's a 2nd one next to you, then that 2nd hostile could be doing stabbing, pulling your arm, hitting you, put their weapon in there to interfere. I understand logically now with the info, that it would be hard to draw and aim range attacks when got a hostile next to you that isn't the target, but wouldn't the same be applied to melee attacks if you have 2 or more hostiles next to you?
Though, this does make me ponder, wouldn't that apply to any melee attack made when you have more than 1 hostile creature next to you? If you're paying attention to 1 hostile and there's a 2nd one next to you, then that 2nd hostile could be doing stabbing, pulling your arm, hitting you, put their weapon in there to interfere. I understand logically now with the info, that it would be hard to draw and aim range attacks when got a hostile next to you that isn't the target, but wouldn't the same be applied to melee attacks if you have 2 or more hostiles next to you?
They're correct, I mis-remembered the rule. I just checked it.
Multiple characters being in melee with you don't give you disadvantage, but if they're flanking you, it does give them advantage against you.
Though, this does make me ponder, wouldn't that apply to any melee attack made when you have more than 1 hostile creature next to you? If you're paying attention to 1 hostile and there's a 2nd one next to you, then that 2nd hostile could be doing stabbing, pulling your arm, hitting you, put their weapon in there to interfere. I understand logically now with the info, that it would be hard to draw and aim range attacks when got a hostile next to you that isn't the target, but wouldn't the same be applied to melee attacks if you have 2 or more hostiles next to you?
No, because in melee you are generally dodging and weaving over the 6 seconds of the round, with the dice roll reflecting the one (or more) openings in which you get to try and do real damage to your opponent(s).
Stabbing and thrusting doesn't require spending a long time setting up an aim.
Though, this does make me ponder, wouldn't that apply to any melee attack made when you have more than 1 hostile creature next to you? If you're paying attention to 1 hostile and there's a 2nd one next to you, then that 2nd hostile could be doing stabbing, pulling your arm, hitting you, put their weapon in there to interfere. I understand logically now with the info, that it would be hard to draw and aim range attacks when got a hostile next to you that isn't the target, but wouldn't the same be applied to melee attacks if you have 2 or more hostiles next to you?
Now your starting to get into the optional Flanking rules.
Though, this does make me ponder, wouldn't that apply to any melee attack made when you have more than 1 hostile creature next to you? If you're paying attention to 1 hostile and there's a 2nd one next to you, then that 2nd hostile could be doing stabbing, pulling your arm, hitting you, put their weapon in there to interfere. I understand logically now with the info, that it would be hard to draw and aim range attacks when got a hostile next to you that isn't the target, but wouldn't the same be applied to melee attacks if you have 2 or more hostiles next to you?
They're correct, I mis-remembered the rule. I just checked it.
Multiple characters being in melee with you don't give you disadvantage, but if they're flanking you, it does give them advantage against you.
Just to note. The flanking rules are in the DMG and are completely optional. RAW, without optional rules, having multiple opponents next to you has no more effect than having one opponent next to you.
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I'm curious as I'm having trouble finding information on this. Is there a rule about that if you're a bow user and you're aiming at a target that's 10ft+ away but there's a different enemy within 5ft of the bow user, grants automatic disadvantage on all bow attacks against creatures being shot that aren't the one within 5ft of the bow user?
If your target is within 5ft of you when you're attacking with a ranged weapon, then you have disadvantage.Other enemies being within 5ft of you doesn't give you disadvantage against targets 10+ feet away from you.It would logically make sense for it to give you disadvantage, but the rule doesn't do so.Any foe in melee range gives you disadvantage on ranged attack rolls.
Having any hostile (and non-incapacitated) creature within 5 feet of you is what gives the disadvantage on making ranged attacks, not the distance from the target. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/combat#RangedAttacksinCloseCombat
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Ah, thank you FayetteGamer :)
Oh, I missed that years back when I read over the Players Handbook. Thank you :)
FayetteGamer Is incorrect. Having any enemy within 5 ft imposes disadvantage on all ranged attacks (weapons & spells) against any target. Logically, it’s hard to aim a shot when someone is trying to chop your face off with an axe.
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It's not the distance to your target that causes the Disadvantage, it's that you're cramped by having a bad guy standing next to you.
Thank you both IamSposta and pdegan2814 :)
Though, this does make me ponder, wouldn't that apply to any melee attack made when you have more than 1 hostile creature next to you? If you're paying attention to 1 hostile and there's a 2nd one next to you, then that 2nd hostile could be doing stabbing, pulling your arm, hitting you, put their weapon in there to interfere. I understand logically now with the info, that it would be hard to draw and aim range attacks when got a hostile next to you that isn't the target, but wouldn't the same be applied to melee attacks if you have 2 or more hostiles next to you?
They're correct, I mis-remembered the rule. I just checked it.
Multiple characters being in melee with you don't give you disadvantage, but if they're flanking you, it does give them advantage against you.
No, because in melee you are generally dodging and weaving over the 6 seconds of the round, with the dice roll reflecting the one (or more) openings in which you get to try and do real damage to your opponent(s).
Stabbing and thrusting doesn't require spending a long time setting up an aim.
Now your starting to get into the optional Flanking rules.
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Just to note. The flanking rules are in the DMG and are completely optional. RAW, without optional rules, having multiple opponents next to you has no more effect than having one opponent next to you.