Dex Bonus For Longbows In 5E

When using a longbow in 5e, you add your dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll. This is the case for all ranged weapons, except for those with the finesse or thrown property.

Dexterity is added to the damage roll when using a ranged weapon

When using a ranged weapon, you add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll. This is stated in the Player's Handbook, which mentions this twice.

First, in chapter 7 ("Using Ability Scores") regarding Dexterity:

> Dexterity Attack Rolls and Damage

> You add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon, such as a sling or a longbow.

This is stated again in chapter 9 ("Combat") under the section "Making an Attack":

> To make an attack roll, roll a d20 and add the appropriate modifiers...

> The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity. Weapons that have the finesse or thrown property break this rule.

Note that this only applies to ranged weapon attacks. Ranged spell attacks usually don't use Dexterity. Some spells also require an attack roll. The ability modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster.

In summary, if the weapon is ranged, you use your Dexterity modifier. If the weapon is thrown and does not have the Finesse property, you use your Strength modifier. If the weapon is thrown and does have Finesse, you can use either your Strength or Dexterity modifier.

Ranged weapons include slings and longbows

Ranged weapons in 5e include slings and longbows. When attacking with a ranged weapon, you add your dexterity modifier to the attack roll and the damage roll. This is true for all ranged weapons, including slings and longbows.

In 5e, a sling is a simple ranged weapon that deals 1d4 bludgeoning damage. Slings are actually one of the few weapons in D&D that every single class is proficient in. Slings are also incredibly cheap, costing only 1 sp, and weighing nothing. Sling bullets are also cheap, at 3 sp for 20, but you can also use rocks for ammunition. The sling has a range of 30/120, meaning it can be used accurately up to 30 feet, and beyond that up to 120 feet with disadvantage.

Longbows, on the other hand, are martial ranged weapons. They deal 1d8 piercing damage and have a range of 150/600. They are two-handed and heavy, meaning small creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls with them. They also have the ammunition property, meaning you need to have ammunition to fire from the weapon, and each time you attack, you expend one piece of ammunition. Longbows cost 50 gp and weigh 2 lbs.

Proficiency with a sling or longbow allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll for any attack you make with it.

The ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity

When using a ranged weapon, such as a longbow, the ability modifier used for the attack roll is Dexterity. This is added to both the attack roll and the damage roll. This is made clear in the rules for the fifth edition of the game.

Dexterity measures agility, reflexes, and balance, and is the most important attribute for rogues. It is also useful for characters who wear light or medium armour or no armour at all. It is vital for characters seeking to excel with ranged weapons, such as bows or slings.

The Player's Handbook mentions this rule in two places. First, in the chapter on ability scores, under Dexterity:

> You add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon, such as a sling or a longbow.

This is repeated in the chapter on combat, under "Making an Attack":

> The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity. Weapons that have the finesse or thrown property break this rule.

Note that this only applies to ranged weapon attacks. Ranged spell attacks usually don't use Dexterity. Some spells require an attack roll, and the ability modifier used depends on the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster.

Thrown melee weapons use Strength, thrown ranged weapons use Dexterity

In the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons, thrown melee weapons use Strength, and thrown ranged weapons use Dexterity. This is a general rule, but there are some exceptions.

Melee weapons with the Thrown property can be used to make ranged attacks, but they use Strength for both the attack roll and the damage roll. For example, a spear or a handaxe uses Strength when thrown.

Ranged weapons with the Finesse property, such as daggers, can use either Strength or Dexterity for both the attack roll and the damage roll.

Some weapons, such as darts, have both the Thrown and Finesse properties. These can be used with either Strength or Dexterity for the attack roll and damage roll, even when thrown.

Additionally, some weapons, such as nets, are ranged weapons that do not have the Finesse property. These use Dexterity for the attack roll and damage roll.

Dexterity is added to the attack roll when using a ranged weapon

When using a ranged weapon, such as a longbow, you add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll. This is outlined in the Player's Handbook, which states:

> You add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon, such as a sling or a longbow.

This is further emphasised in the section on "Making an Attack":

> The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity. Weapons that have the finesse or thrown property break this rule.

Therefore, for a character with a Dexterity score of 15 (a +2 modifier), they would add 2 to their damage roll when using a ranged weapon.

It is important to note that this only applies to ranged weapon attacks and not to ranged spell attacks, which usually do not use Dexterity.

Frequently asked questions