"You have mastered ranged weapons..." "...ranged weapon attack rolls..." "Your ranged weapon attacks..." "...an attack with a ranged weapon that..."
Those bold words of the feat create the limitation of the feat. Each line of the feat uses those bold words. Nowhere in the feat does it mention spells.
This feat will not work with spells, however, look into Spell Sniper to gain some of the advantages similar to Sharpshooter.
Yea, because of the absence of the word "weapon" that part of the feat could technically work for spells.
Sage advice has said it does, for what that's worth. I've never had it come up, but I don't think I'd allow that at my table. Not sure how being super good with a crossbow makes you super good with close range spells too.
Yea, because of the absence of the word "weapon" that part of the feat could technically work for spells.
Sage advice has said it does, for what that's worth. I've never had it come up, but I don't think I'd allow that at my table. Not sure how being super good with a crossbow makes you super good with close range spells too.
The logic is they designed the feat to give a general benefit to everyone in addition to the specialty benefits of crossbows.
"Is it intentional that the second benefit of Crossbow Expert helps ranged spell attacks? Yes, it’s intentional. When you make a ranged attack roll within 5 feet of an enemy, you normally suffer disadvantage (PH, 195). The second benefit of Crossbow Expert prevents you from suffering that disadvantage, whether or not the ranged attack is with a crossbow. When designing a feat with a narrow use, we consider adding at least one element that can benefit a character more broadly—a bit of mastery that your character brings from one situation to another. The second benefit of Crossbow Expert is such an element, as is the first benefit of Great Weapon Master. That element in Crossbow Expert shows that some of the character’s expertise with one type of thing—crossbows, in this case—transfers to other things."
Basically, they are saying that that ability to target a ranged weapon while distracted by or dodging an adjacent opponent is a skill that is transferable to casting a ranged attack spell with an opponent adjacent. It makes sense to me personally that some abilities would be transferable to other activities. This is what it says both RAW and RAI but you are free to use whatever homebrew rules you prefer.
It allows you to double range of a spell, ignore 1/2 and 3/4 cover and basically does everything sharpshooter does except for the -5 attack/+10 dmg thing and instead of that you get an extra attack cantrip of your choice.
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In the campaign I'm running one of my players came up with this. I'm not sure if this is allowed by the rules. What is everyone's opinion please.
"You have mastered ranged weapons..."
"...ranged weapon attack rolls..."
"Your ranged weapon attacks..."
"...an attack with a ranged weapon that..."
Those bold words of the feat create the limitation of the feat. Each line of the feat uses those bold words. Nowhere in the feat does it mention spells.
This feat will not work with spells, however, look into Spell Sniper to gain some of the advantages similar to Sharpshooter.
Though weirdly, the Crossbow Expert's "no disadvantage for ranged attacks in melee" does apply to spells.
Yea, because of the absence of the word "weapon" that part of the feat could technically work for spells.
Sage advice has said it does, for what that's worth. I've never had it come up, but I don't think I'd allow that at my table. Not sure how being super good with a crossbow makes you super good with close range spells too.
I wouldn’t be down with that at my table either.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
The logic is they designed the feat to give a general benefit to everyone in addition to the specialty benefits of crossbows.
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Here is their logic (from Sage Advice Compendium)
"Is it intentional that the second benefit of Crossbow Expert helps ranged spell attacks? Yes, it’s intentional. When you make a ranged attack roll within 5 feet of an enemy, you normally suffer disadvantage (PH, 195). The second benefit of Crossbow Expert prevents you from suffering that disadvantage, whether or not the ranged attack is with a crossbow.
When designing a feat with a narrow use, we consider adding at least one element that can benefit a character more broadly—a bit of mastery that your character brings from one situation to another. The second benefit of Crossbow Expert is such an element, as is the first benefit of Great Weapon Master. That element in Crossbow Expert shows that some of the character’s expertise with one type of thing—crossbows, in this case—transfers to other things."
Basically, they are saying that that ability to target a ranged weapon while distracted by or dodging an adjacent opponent is a skill that is transferable to casting a ranged attack spell with an opponent adjacent. It makes sense to me personally that some abilities would be transferable to other activities. This is what it says both RAW and RAI but you are free to use whatever homebrew rules you prefer.
Spell Sniper.
It allows you to double range of a spell, ignore 1/2 and 3/4 cover and basically does everything sharpshooter does except for the -5 attack/+10 dmg thing and instead of that you get an extra attack cantrip of your choice.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.