Calculating Longbow Damage In 5E

To calculate longbow damage in 5e, you need to determine your target within the longbow's range of 150 ft. for normal range and 600 ft. for long-range. The DM then determines the necessary modifiers, such as whether you have an advantage or disadvantage. Finally, you roll for your attack, adding your Strength modifier and proficiency bonus (if proficient with the longbow) to the 1d20 roll. If you're not proficient with the longbow, you don't add the proficiency bonus. For example, a level one fighter with a Strength modifier of +2 and a proficiency bonus of +2 wants to attack a creature with an Armor Class (AC) of 15. The player rolls a 1d20 and gets a 12. Their attack roll would then be 16 (12 + 2 (Strength modifier) + 2 (proficiency bonus)), hitting the target.

Proficiency in longbows

Proficiency in a weapon means you are skilled in its use, allowing you to add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls when using that weapon. This bonus is based on your character's level and increases as you gain levels, providing a greater benefit in combat.

Proficiency Bonus:

The proficiency bonus for a 1st-level character is +2, and it increases as you level up, reaching +3 at 5th level, +4 at 9th level, and so on. This bonus is added to various ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws, depending on your character's skills and proficiencies.

Proficiency with Longbows:

Longbows are martial weapons, which means they are typically used by experienced combatants such as soldiers and skilled fighters. Proficiency with longbows allows you to add your proficiency bonus to attack rolls when using the longbow. This bonus increases your chances of hitting your target. For example, if you have a proficiency bonus of +2 and roll a 10 on your attack roll, your total attack roll would be 12.

Gaining Proficiency:

Proficiency with longbows is granted to certain classes, such as Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, and Ranger. These classes are proficient with martial weapons, which includes longbows. Additionally, certain races like Elves have proficiency with longbows. If your character is not from one of these classes or races, you can gain proficiency through multiclassing, taking the Weapon Master feat, or choosing specific subclasses that grant martial weapon proficiency. Downtime training is another option, but it is limited to gaining proficiency with tools and languages, not weapons.

Attack Roll with Longbow:

When you make an attack with a longbow, your attack roll is 1d20 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus (if proficient). The Strength modifier is added because the longbow is not a finesse weapon, so Strength is used instead of Dexterity. If you are not proficient with the longbow, you do not add the proficiency bonus to the attack roll.

Range and Disadvantage:

The longbow has a normal range of 150 feet and a long range of 600 feet. Beyond the normal range, you have a disadvantage on your attack roll, meaning you roll 2d20 and take the lower result. Additionally, if an enemy is within 5 feet of you, you also have a disadvantage on your attack roll.

Ammunition and Recovery:

Longbows require ammunition (arrows) to make ranged attacks. Each time you attack, you expend one arrow. After the battle, you can spend a minute searching the battlefield to recover half of the arrows you used.

Improvised Weapon:

In close quarters, you can use the longbow as an improvised melee weapon, but it only deals 1d4 damage, and you cannot add your proficiency bonus to the attack roll.

Attack roll calculation

To calculate the attack roll for a longbow in 5e, you need to follow a few steps. First, roll a d20 dice to get a number, which is the base for your attack roll. Next, add any relevant modifiers to this roll. The modifiers include your ability modifier, which depends on the type of weapon you are using. In the case of a longbow, a dexterity modifier is applied. So, if your character has a dexterity of 18, you would add a +4 modifier to the roll. If your character is proficient with the longbow, you also add your proficiency bonus to the roll. For example, if your character has a proficiency bonus of +2, you would add that to the roll as well. So, if you rolled a 10 on the d20 dice, and added a +4 dexterity modifier and a +2 proficiency bonus, your total attack roll would be 16.

It is important to note that you only add your proficiency bonus if you are proficient with the weapon. Additionally, the proficiency bonus increases as your character level increases, so it will have a bigger impact at higher levels.

If you are attacking a target that is within the normal range of the longbow (which is 150 ft.), you simply add the relevant modifiers to your roll. However, if you are attacking a target that is beyond the normal range, you will have a disadvantage on your attack roll. This means that you roll 2d20 instead of 1d20 and choose the lower number between the two dice as your attack roll. You then add your relevant modifiers to this number.

Another situation that can give you a disadvantage on your attack roll is if a hostile creature who is not incapacitated and can see you is within 5 ft. of you. In this case, you would also roll 2d20 and choose the lower number, before adding your modifiers.

So, to calculate your attack roll for a longbow in 5e, you roll a d20 and add your ability modifier (dexterity in this case) and proficiency bonus (if proficient) to that roll. If you are outside the normal range or have a hostile creature nearby, you roll 2d20 and choose the lower number before adding your modifiers.

Damage calculation

To calculate damage in 5e, you need to consider your character's ability modifier, proficiency bonus, and the weapon's damage dice.

Firstly, determine your ability modifier. For a longbow, you would typically use dexterity, so a dexterity of 18 would give you a modifier of +4.

Next, establish your proficiency bonus. At level 1, this would be +2. If your character is proficient with the weapon, you add this bonus.

Now, you can calculate your attack roll by rolling a 1d20 and adding your ability modifier and proficiency bonus. For example, rolling a 10 and adding the modifiers (+4 dexterity and +2 proficiency) would result in a total attack roll of 16.

If your attack roll equals or exceeds the target's Armor Class (AC), it is a hit. You then roll for damage. The longbow's damage dice is 1d8, so if you roll a 4 and add your dexterity modifier of +4, the total damage dealt is 8.

It is important to note that you do not add your proficiency bonus to the damage roll, only to the attack roll. Additionally, if you are attacking at a longer range or with disadvantages, you may need to roll 2d20 for your attack and take the lower result.

Longbow properties

The longbow is a martial-ranged weapon that deals 1d8 piercing damage, costs 50 gp, and weighs about 2 lbs. It is about 6 ft. tall, slightly curved, and made of wood. The arrows are usually adorned with natural feathers, with tips made of brass or iron.

The longbow has a normal range of 150 ft. and a long-range of 600 ft. You can attack any creature within 150 ft. of you, which is about 30 squares on a standard battle map. You can still attack creatures beyond this range, but you will be at a disadvantage and will need to roll 2d20 for your attack roll, choosing the lower number.

The longbow is a two-handed weapon, so you cannot use a shield at the same time as attacking with a longbow. Small creatures have a disadvantage when attacking with the longbow due to its heavy, two-handed properties.

To attack with a longbow, you must have ammunition (arrows). Each time you attack, you expend one arrow. You can recover half of your arrows by spending a minute searching the battlefield after the battle.

If you are proficient with the longbow, you can add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll. If you are not proficient, you cannot add this bonus.

If a hostile creature who is not incapacitated can see you and is within 5 ft. of you, you have a disadvantage on attack rolls.

If you run out of arrows, you will need to visit a local fletcher to buy more.

Longbow vs heavy crossbow

When it comes to longbow vs heavy crossbow, there are several factors to consider in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.

Firstly, in terms of damage, a heavy crossbow deals more damage per attack than a longbow. The heavy crossbow has a bigger damage die, but it still costs a feat to be worth using after level 5. On the other hand, the longbow has a lower damage output, but it has a longer range compared to the heavy crossbow. This means that the longbow can be used effectively at greater distances, which can be advantageous in certain situations.

Secondly, the type of character and their proficiencies can also influence the choice between a longbow and a heavy crossbow. Some classes might not have martial weapon proficiency, which includes longbows, while they may have simple weapon proficiency, which includes light crossbows. For example, a Rogue or a Wizard would typically not have martial weapon proficiency, so they might opt for a light crossbow instead of a longbow. In contrast, a character with martial weapon proficiency would usually choose between a heavy crossbow and a longbow, depending on their specific build and playstyle.

Additionally, the setting and environment of the game can play a role in the decision-making process. For instance, in underwater combat, crossbows have an advantage over longbows as they do not have disadvantage underwater. This means that if the campaign involves a lot of underwater or sailing scenarios, crossbows might be a more attractive option.

Moreover, the availability of certain feats and abilities can influence the choice between a longbow and a heavy crossbow. For example, the Crossbow Expert feat allows for three attacks with hand crossbows, which can significantly increase their damage output. On the other hand, the Sharpshooter feat can enhance the effectiveness of longbows by increasing their range and ignoring certain cover bonuses.

Lastly, the theme and role-playing aspects of the game should also be considered. Longbows might be more popular from a thematic standpoint, and some players might prefer the simplicity and ease of use that longbows offer. Ultimately, the decision between a longbow and a heavy crossbow depends on a combination of factors, including damage output, range, character proficiencies, environmental considerations, available feats and abilities, and thematic preferences.

Frequently asked questions