Longbow And Shield: 5E Compatible?

Can you use a longbow and a shield at the same time in 5e? The answer is no. The longbow is a two-handed weapon, meaning you need to use both hands to use it in combat. A shield also requires a free hand, which using a longbow cannot offer. If you are only holding the longbow with one hand, you cannot use it to make a ranged attack. If you want to make a ranged attack with the longbow and have something in your other hand, you would need to get rid of the object first.

Longbow and shield are incompatible due to two-handed property

In 5e, a longbow is a two-handed weapon, meaning you need to use both hands to properly make an attack. A shield also requires a free hand, which using a longbow cannot offer. Therefore, it is not possible to use a longbow and a shield at the same time.

The Player's Handbook states that a longbow must be wielded with two hands to make ranged attacks. If you are only holding the longbow with one hand, you cannot use it to make a ranged attack. If you want to make a ranged attack with the longbow with one hand, you must first get rid of the object in your other hand. This can be done by putting the object in your backpack or sheathing it in its case, but this will cost you your action if you are in combat. Alternatively, you can drop the object, which would not require an action.

Stowing a shield also takes an action, so you would have to waste a turn each time you wanted to swap between using a shield and a longbow. This can be a major inconvenience, especially in combat situations.

While it may be possible to have a shield strapped to your forearm or back while shooting a longbow, this would likely weigh your arm down and make it difficult to fire the bow accurately. Additionally, a shield takes up one hand, and you need both hands to use a longbow effectively.

In summary, the two-handed property of the longbow makes it incompatible with using a shield simultaneously. To use a shield and a longbow effectively, you would need to switch between them, which can be time-consuming and may put you at a disadvantage in combat situations.

Animated shield is an option

The animated shield is a very rare magic item that requires attunement. While holding this shield, you can speak its command word as a bonus action to cause it to animate. The shield leaps into the air and hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it, leaving your hands free. The shield remains animated for 1 minute, until you use a bonus action to end this effect, or until you are incapacitated or die, at which point the shield falls to the ground or into your hand if you have one free.

The animated shield is a great option for those who want to use a longbow and a shield simultaneously. The animated shield hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it, leaving your hands free. This means that you can use a longbow with both hands while still benefiting from the +2 AC bonus of a shield.

The animated shield is a small construct that is unaligned. It has an armor class of 17, 27 hit points, and a flying speed of 50 ft. It has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. It also has condition immunities to being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, paralysed, petrified, and poisoned. The animated shield has a spin attack that does 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

The animated shield typically tries to stay invisible and will leave its owner after a few days if it is picked up by an adventurer.

Stowing a shield takes an action

In the game, a shield is considered a piece of armour and requires an action to don or doff. This means that players must choose between taking the time to stow their shield and being able to use their full movement and action during their turn. This can be a difficult decision, especially in combat situations where every moment counts.

Some players and DMs choose to treat equipping a shield as a free object interaction, rather than an action. This can speed up gameplay and allow for more dynamic battles. However, it is important to note that this is a house rule and not the official rule as written in the Player's Handbook.

The rule that stowing a shield takes an action can be crucial for balance, especially when it comes to "switch hitter" character types that use a combination of longbows, longswords, and shields. It prevents players from gaining an additional +2 AC bonus to two-handed weapons by dropping and re-equipping their shields each turn without consequence.

Ultimately, the decision of how to treat the rule about stowing shields is up to the DM and players at the table. However, it is important to be consistent and apply the rule uniformly to both players and enemies to maintain fairness and balance in the game.

Use thrown finesse weapons and the Sharpshooter feat

Using thrown finesse weapons with the Sharpshooter feat is a great way to deal damage from a distance while keeping your shield equipped. Thrown weapons only require one hand to draw and throw, and you can use your free object interaction each round to draw a new one. This strategy is particularly effective for rogues, as most of their damage comes from Sneak Attack, so the smaller damage die of the weapon is less important.

To make the most of this strategy, choose a finesse thrown weapon such as a dagger or dart. Daggers have the added benefit of being useful in melee combat, but darts are cheaper and lighter, making them easier to carry in large quantities. Both the dagger and dart have a range of 20/60, so throwing them beyond 20 feet will result in disadvantage and the loss of your Sneak Attack ability. However, this issue can be resolved by taking the Sharpshooter feat, which allows you to throw up to the weapon's maximum range without disadvantage.

Alternatively, you can consider taking the Dual Wielder feat, which grants you a +1 to AC while dual-wielding and allows you to draw two weapons per turn. With a dagger in each hand, you can attack twice per turn (once with a bonus action) with only a loss of 1 AC compared to using a shield.

Use a hand-crossbow

Using a hand crossbow in 5e is a great option for many players. Here are some reasons why you might want to use one:

• Inconspicuousness: A hand crossbow is much easier to conceal than a heavy crossbow, making it ideal for stealthy characters or situations where you need to keep a low profile.
• Size and Weight: Hand crossbows are smaller and lighter than other types of crossbows, making them easier to carry and manoeuvre, especially in cramped spaces or for smaller characters.
• Combat Practicality: The Crossbow Expert feat allows you to make a bonus action shot with an already-loaded hand crossbow. This gives you more flexibility in combat compared to heavier crossbows, which have a slower rate of fire due to their loading property.
• Style: Hand crossbows have a unique style and flair that other weapons lack. They can add an extra dimension to your character's aesthetic and backstory.
• Backup Weapon: A hand crossbow can be a great backup option for characters who primarily use melee weapons or magic. It's easy to carry and can be quickly drawn in unexpected situations.
• Dexterity-Based: Hand crossbows use Dexterity as the ability modifier, making them a perfect choice for classes that rely on Dexterity, such as Assassin Rogues.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider when using a hand crossbow:

• Limited Magic Ammunition: There isn't a wide variety of magical bolts available for hand crossbows, which can be a disadvantage if you're looking for enchanted ammunition.
• Range: The shortbow has a longer range than the hand crossbow, making it a better option for characters who want to keep their distance from enemies.
• Dependence on Crossbow Expert Feat: The hand crossbow's effectiveness is heavily influenced by the Crossbow Expert feat, which allows you to ignore the loading property and make multiple attacks in the same turn. Without this feat, the hand crossbow's rate of fire is limited.
• Reloading with Two Hands: Without the Crossbow Expert feat, you need both hands to reload a hand crossbow, even though it's a one-handed weapon. This can be cumbersome in combat situations.
• Intimidation Factor: The hand crossbow is less intimidating than heavier crossbows, which may be a consideration for characters who want to make a strong first impression on enemies.

In conclusion, the hand crossbow is a versatile and lightweight weapon that suits a variety of playstyles and character concepts. It is particularly useful for characters who want to maintain dexterity and stealth while still having access to ranged attacks. However, it has some limitations, especially without the Crossbow Expert feat, and there are other options to consider for characters who prioritise range or magical enhancements.

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