Archery Skill: Thrown Weapons

Thrown weapons are an often-overlooked aspect of Fifth Edition rules in Dungeons & Dragons. While they can be used to make ranged attacks, thrown weapons are still considered melee weapons and do not benefit from the Archery Fighting Style feat. This means that players who want to improve their ranged combat skills will not be able to rely on thrown weapons and will have to stretch into archery or spellcasting.

However, thrown weapons can be useful in certain situations. For example, they can be used to make improvised ranged attacks with items such as rocks, although these are not considered weapons and therefore do not qualify for either the Archery or Thrown Weapon Fighting Style. Additionally, thrown weapons can deal their full damage at range, and players on high ground gain a +2 bonus when using them.

Thrown weapons are considered melee attacks

In D&D, thrown weapons are generally considered to be melee weapons, even when used to make ranged attacks. This means that certain abilities or bonuses that apply to melee weapons, such as the Dueling Fighting Style, can also apply to thrown weapons. On the other hand, thrown weapons do not benefit from bonuses intended for ranged weapons, such as the Archery Fighting Style. This is because a thrown melee weapon is still considered a melee weapon, even when used to make a ranged attack.

In Pathfinder, the characterisation of thrown weapons is more complex and has changed over time. Initially, thrown melee weapons were not considered to be ranged weapons, and certain feats or abilities that applied to ranged weapons would not work with thrown melee weapons. However, this was clarified in an errata, which specified that thrown weapons are considered ranged weapons when thrown. This change allowed thrown weapons to benefit from bonuses for both melee and ranged weapons, depending on how they were used.

The distinction between melee and ranged weapons, and how thrown weapons fit into this categorisation, can vary depending on the specific game and its rules. It is important to refer to the relevant rulebooks or official clarifications for the game in question to determine how thrown weapons are treated in a particular context.

Darts are the only ranged thrown weapon

Darts are the only thrown weapon that is considered a ranged weapon. They are designed to be thrown like a javelin, with the sharp, weighted point striking first. In the game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), darts are listed as a simple ranged weapon, whereas a dagger is listed as a simple melee weapon with the "thrown" property.

Darts have been used since prehistory, with some of the earliest evidence of advanced tool use including remnants of an early type of dart, which can be considered the ancestor of arrows and bows. In the modern era, darts are used for recreation, such as lawn darts and the game of darts.

In D&D, darts are the only thrown weapon with the finesse trait, which allows the player to use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls. This makes darts a versatile and concealable weapon, useful for surprise attacks.

While some players may be disappointed that darts are the only thrown weapon that benefits from the Archery fighting style, it is important to note that thrown weapons with the melee property can benefit from other fighting styles, such as Dueling or Thrown Weapon Fighting. Additionally, thrown weapons can be used creatively in D&D, such as by throwing rocks or using improvised weapons, which adds variety to gameplay.

Thrown weapons don't benefit from the Archery feat

The only thrown weapon that is considered a ranged weapon is the dart. Improvised weapons, such as rocks, are also not considered ranged weapons and therefore do not benefit from the Archery feat.

This distinction between thrown weapons and ranged weapons is important when it comes to choosing a fighting style. The Archery fighting style is a good option for improving your chance to hit with ranged attacks, but it won't help with thrown weapons.

There are other fighting styles that can be more beneficial for characters who primarily use thrown weapons, such as the Dueling fighting style or the Thrown Weapon fighting style from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. These fighting styles can help improve the accuracy and damage of thrown weapons, which is something that the Archery feat cannot do.

Additionally, thrown weapons have some inherent limitations, such as the fact that you can only draw one weapon per turn. This can be a problem for characters who gain multiple attacks as they level up, as they won't be able to maintain multiple throwing-weapon attacks per round.

Overall, while thrown weapons can be a fun and unique playstyle, they may require more resources and effort to be effective compared to other builds.

Thrown weapons are not considered ranged weapons for features like the Fighter's Archery Fighting Style

The Archery Fighting Style grants a +2 bonus to attack rolls made with ranged weapons. While this may include thrown weapons like daggers and tridents, it does not include all thrown weapons. For example, a handaxe is a simple melee weapon with the thrown property, and therefore cannot benefit from the Archery Fighting Style.

The distinction between ranged and melee weapons is important for determining which Fighting Styles and feats apply. In the case of thrown weapons, whether they are considered ranged or melee can affect their effectiveness in combat.

Some players may choose to combine the Archery Fighting Style with other Fighting Styles, such as Dueling or Two-Weapon Fighting, to create more effective combat strategies. Additionally, certain feats, such as Sharpshooter, Crossbow Expert, and Gunner, can enhance the capabilities of ranged attackers.

Ultimately, the classification of thrown weapons as melee or ranged depends on the specific weapon and the rules of the game. It is important to refer to the official rules and any relevant errata or clarifications to ensure accurate interpretation and application of the rules.

Thrown weapons gain the +2 bonus from being on high ground

Thrown weapons do not count as ranged weapons for features like the Fighter's Archery Fighting Style. However, they do gain the +2 bonus from being on high ground and the -2 penalty for being on low ground. This is because, despite being thrown, they are still considered melee weapon attacks.

In Baldur's Gate 3, a video game based on the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition system, thrown weapons can be used by selecting the "Throw" action. This will bring up a list of items in the player's inventory that can be thrown. The player then selects the item and their target, and an Attack Roll is made, using either the character's Strength or the highest of their Strength and Dexterity if the weapon has the Finesse property.

In terms of the rules for thrown weapons in Dungeons & Dragons, a weapon with the "thrown property" can be thrown to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon, the same ability modifier is used for the attack roll and damage roll as would be used for a melee attack with the weapon.

In summary, thrown weapons gain the +2 bonus from being on high ground, but this is not related to the Archery Fighting Style, which only applies to ranged weapons.

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