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Is Throwing Strength or Dexterity? Decoding the Mechanics of Throwing

The answer, my friends, is delightfully complex. It depends! In the real world, throwing relies heavily on both strength and dexterity. Strength provides the power, while dexterity ensures accuracy and control. However, in fictional worlds like Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) and video games like Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) or Elden Ring, the answer is dictated by the specific rules of the game system. Generally, the weapon’s properties determine whether you use Strength or Dexterity for attack rolls and damage.

Understanding Throwing Mechanics Across Different Systems

To truly understand the nuances, we need to dissect how various systems handle throwing:

Dungeons & Dragons (5E)

In 5E, the rule is quite clear:

Thrown Property: If a weapon has the thrown property, you can make a ranged attack with it.
Melee Weapon: If the weapon is a melee weapon with the thrown property (like a javelin or handaxe), you use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls as you would for a melee attack. This typically means Strength.
Finesse Property: If the weapon also has the finesse property (like a dagger), you can choose to use either Strength or Dexterity for the attack and damage rolls.
Nets: A net when thrown always uses Dexterity.

Therefore, throwing a javelin defaults to Strength because it’s a melee weapon with the thrown property, lacking finesse. Throwing a dagger allows you to choose between Strength and Dexterity, depending on which stat is higher or which fits your character build better.

Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)

BG3 largely mirrors the 5E ruleset, but adapts it for a video game environment. Generally:

Strength-based Throws: Many thrown weapons use Strength for both the attack roll (to-hit chance) and damage. This makes sense for larger, heavier weapons like javelins.
Finesse Exception: If a thrown weapon possesses the finesse property, the game uses the higher of your character’s Strength or Dexterity for the attack roll.
Improvised Weapons: BG3 allows you to throw almost anything! The properties of the object being thrown will generally dictate whether Strength or Dexterity is used. A potion bottle, for instance, might rely on Dexterity for accuracy, while throwing a heavy chest would certainly call for Strength.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring deviates quite a bit from the D&D model. The core stats are Strength and Dexterity but work more subtly.

Weapon Scaling: Weapons have scaling grades in strength or dexterity, from E to S. The better the scaling of your weapon with that stat, the more damage you will do.
Ranged Weapons: Ranged weapons generally scale with Dexterity, so a weapon with good Dexterity scaling will benefit from more damage.
Attribute Requirements: Weapons have requirements for Strength and Dexterity. If you do not meet the minimum attribute requirement for the weapon, you cannot equip it, and it will deal almost no damage.

Real-World Throwing

Of course, applying these rules to reality is a fool’s errand. Throwing a baseball, javelin, or even a small rock involves a complex interplay of muscular strength, joint flexibility, and precise motor control. As any coach will tell you, you need both the power to generate force (Strength) and the technique to channel it accurately (Dexterity).

Strength vs. Dexterity: Which is Right For Your Build?

When choosing between Strength and Dexterity for a thrown weapon, consider these factors:

Character Concept: Does your character rely on brute force or agile precision? A barbarian might favor Strength, while a rogue may prefer Dexterity.
Weapon Availability: Are you limited to javelins, or do you have access to daggers and other finesse weapons?
Multiclassing: If you’re multiclassing, consider which stat complements your other classes. A fighter/rogue might benefit from Dexterity, while a fighter/barbarian would likely prefer Strength.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your character’s overall build and play style. Experiment and see what works best for you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you use Strength for a throw attack?

Yes, you can use Strength for a throw attack, particularly if the weapon has the thrown property and isn’t specifically a finesse weapon. Javelins, handaxes, and spears are prime examples where Strength is the primary stat used for throwing attacks.

2. Can you choose to add Strength instead of Dex to hit when using thrown weapons?

In systems like D&D 5E and BG3, you can choose to add Strength instead of Dexterity to hit only if the weapon has both the thrown and finesse properties. For other thrown weapons, Strength is usually the default.

3. Do you use Strength for thrown weapons?

Generally, yes. Many thrown weapons use Strength because they are melee weapons with the thrown property. This applies to weapons like javelins, handaxes, and spears.

4. Do thrown weapons use Dex or Strength in BG3?

In BG3, thrown weapons generally use Strength unless they have the finesse property, in which case the game uses the higher of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for attack rolls.

5. What weapons use Dex instead of Strength?

Generally, if the weapon has the finesse property. Also, any ranged weapon (bow, crossbow, gun) uses Dexterity. In Elden Ring, weapons that scale better with Dexterity benefit from more damage if you level your Dexterity attribute.

6. What is the rule for throwing weapons in 5E?

If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw it 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 as you would for a melee attack with the weapon. If it also has the finesse property, you can choose Strength or Dexterity.

7. Can you throw a dagger with Strength?

Yes, you can throw a dagger with Strength. Daggers have the finesse property, allowing you to use either Strength or Dexterity for both melee and ranged attacks.

8. What is the ability modifier for thrown weapons?

The ability modifier for thrown weapons depends on the weapon’s properties. Generally, it’s Strength. However, if the weapon has the finesse property, you can choose to use either Strength or Dexterity. Nets are always Dexterity-based when thrown.

9. Do you need Strength to throw a baseball in real life?

Yes, absolutely. While technique and coordination are crucial, you need Strength to generate the power and velocity required to throw a baseball effectively. Strength provides the foundation, while technique refines the accuracy.

10. Can you throw a javelin with Dexterity?

In game settings, only if the javelin has the finesse property (which it typically does not). In the real world, you are not throwing a javelin with dexterity, you are throwing it with Strength, while using your hand-eye co-ordination.

11. What muscle strength is required to throw a javelin?

Throwing a javelin requires strength in various muscle groups, including the shoulders, core, legs, and back. Explosive power and coordination are key to generating the necessary force for a successful throw.

12. Is a dagger Strength or Dex-based?

A dagger is considered a finesse weapon, which means it can be either Strength or Dex-based. You can choose which stat to use for attack and damage rolls.

13. What is the best thrown weapon in 5E?

There’s no single “best” thrown weapon, as it depends on your build and needs. Javelins offer a good balance of damage and range, making them a popular choice. Daggers provide versatility due to the finesse property.

14. Can you throw a net with Strength in 5E?

No. Nets are always thrown using Dexterity in 5E. You would use strength to use it in melee.

15. Does Dexterity make weapons stronger?

Dexterity primarily enhances accuracy and finesse. In games like Elden Ring, weapons scale with Dexterity, which means the higher your Dexterity stat, the more damage you’ll inflict with weapons that have good Dexterity scaling.

Diving Deeper

For more insights into the intersection of gaming and learning, explore the resources at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is a great place to learn more about video games and how they function! Understanding game mechanics can enhance your experience and appreciation for the art of game design.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether throwing relies on Strength or Dexterity hinges on the specific rules of the game or activity. While real-world throwing necessitates a blend of both, fictional worlds often prioritize one over the other based on weapon properties and character design. Choose wisely, throw accurately, and may your attacks always hit their mark!

Is throwing strength or dexterity?