Is a thrown weapon that can also be used for melee (such as a spear or hand axe) considered a ranged weapon?
Edit: forgot to specify, but I’m talking about 2014 rules
Ups... I didn't see your edition. Sorry!
This was answered in the SAC:
Does the Archery fighting style work with a melee weapon that you throw?
No, the Archery feature benefits ranged weapons. A melee weapon, such as a dagger or handaxe, is still a melee weapon when you make a ranged attack with it.
I'd talk with your DM, I can't be the only DM that thinks silly word games like this in the rules should be ignored. All their ranged weapon, weapon attack style rules actively make the game worse imo. So, I have ignored them for 10 years. No idea how it pans out in 2024.
If it has the Melee property, it's a melee weapon, but if you're throwing it, you make a ranged attack roll (even if you'd normally use Strength for melee, use your Dexterity modifier).
This is not correct. Thrown weapons use the ability score that the weapon would normally use for the attack regardless of whether it's a ranged or melee attack. So melee thrown weapons will use strength unless another property or feature allows them to use something else. An example of such a feature is the finesse property which lets you choose between strength and dexterity. This is true for both 2014 and 2024.
2014 thrown property: If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use for a melee attack with the weapon. For example, if you throw a handaxe, you use your Strength, but if you throw a dagger, you can use either your Strength or your Dexterity, since the dagger has the finesse property.
2024 thrown property: If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.
Edit: Added the thrown property from both rule sets.
If it has the Melee property, it's a melee weapon, but if you're throwing it, you make a ranged attack roll (even if you'd normally use Strength for melee, use your Dexterity modifier).
This is not correct. Thrown weapons use the ability score that the weapon would normally use for the attack regardless of whether it's a ranged or melee attack. So melee thrown weapons will use strength unless another property or feature allows them to use something else. An example of such a feature is the finesse property which lets you choose between strength and dexterity. This is true for both 2014 and 2024.
2014 thrown property: If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use for a melee attack with the weapon. For example, if you throw a handaxe, you use your Strength, but if you throw a dagger, you can use either your Strength or your Dexterity, since the dagger has the finesse property.
2024 thrown property: If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.
Edit: Added the thrown property from both rule sets.
I stand corrected, thank you.
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Okay, so
Is a thrown weapon that can also be used for melee (such as a spear or hand axe) considered a ranged weapon?
Edit: forgot to specify, but I’m talking about 2014 rules
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If the weapon is a Melee weapon, even with the Thrown property, it's a Melee weapon.
For example, a Dagger is always a Melee weapon.
Ah okay,
was trying to do some shenanigans for a build and wasn’t sure.
Thanks for the help!
Hi, I'm Raccoon_Master, a young genderfluid actor, writer, explorer, and bass vocalist. Pronouns They/Them/Theirs
My Characters: Brormin the Devout Crusher; Morgrom the Cunning Summoner; Thea the Rebellious Beauty;
Check out my EXTENDED SIGNATUR and don’t forget to join the Anything but the OGL 2.0 Thread!
"I don't make sense to you, and I don't make sense to myself. Maybe the only one I make sense to is God" ~ Me, trying to sound smart
Ups... I didn't see your edition. Sorry!
This was answered in the SAC:
EDIT: I got that wrong.
If you're using the 2014 rules, check this thread. Maybe it's useful for your shenanigans: Does the 2024 PHB intentionally nerf the Sharpshooter Long Shot?
Yeah, it's frustrating to make a 2014 throwing build. I think it's still hard with 2024.
Darts - Ranged - 2014 Sharpshooter, Thrown Weapon Style. BUT not Light.
Dagger - Light, Thrown Weapon style, BUT not qualify for 2014 Sharpshooter.
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I'd talk with your DM, I can't be the only DM that thinks silly word games like this in the rules should be ignored. All their ranged weapon, weapon attack style rules actively make the game worse imo. So, I have ignored them for 10 years. No idea how it pans out in 2024.
This is not correct. Thrown weapons use the ability score that the weapon would normally use for the attack regardless of whether it's a ranged or melee attack. So melee thrown weapons will use strength unless another property or feature allows them to use something else. An example of such a feature is the finesse property which lets you choose between strength and dexterity. This is true for both 2014 and 2024.
2014 thrown property: If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use for a melee attack with the weapon. For example, if you throw a handaxe, you use your Strength, but if you throw a dagger, you can use either your Strength or your Dexterity, since the dagger has the finesse property.
2024 thrown property: If a weapon has the Thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack, and you can draw that weapon as part of the attack. If the weapon is a Melee weapon, use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you use for a melee attack with that weapon.
Edit: Added the thrown property from both rule sets.
I stand corrected, thank you.