Can You Throw a Longsword in D&D? The Definitive Guide
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The short answer is yes, you can throw a longsword in D&D, but it’s not as straightforward as you might think. While the image of a warrior hurling a longsword across the battlefield is iconic, the game mechanics treat it as an improvised weapon. This distinction is crucial, and we’ll break down everything you need to know about throwing a longsword and related mechanics in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e).
Throwing a Longsword: Rules and Reality
Unlike weapons with the thrown property, a longsword is primarily designed for melee combat. This means it doesn’t naturally have the ability to be thrown effectively. According to the rules, if you attempt to throw a melee weapon without the thrown property, it becomes an improvised ranged weapon.
Improvised Weapons Explained
When you use an improvised weapon, you’re essentially using an object as a weapon in a way it wasn’t designed. This has a couple of key impacts:
- Damage: Instead of the weapon’s usual damage die (1d8 or 1d10), an improvised melee weapon, when thrown, deals a flat 1d4 damage. This is significantly less than the longsword’s standard melee damage.
- Ability Modifier: You use your Strength modifier for the attack and damage rolls.
- Range: An improvised weapon typically has a short range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet (disadvantage on the attack roll if the target is beyond short range). It’s important to note that even at short range there would still be a disadvantage for throwing a non-throwing melee weapon, as per the rules.
The Implications
Throwing your longsword might seem like a dramatic move, but it’s tactically risky:
- Reduced Damage: You’re losing considerable damage output from 1d8/1d10 to 1d4.
- Limited Range: The range is much less than that of a proper ranged weapon, like a bow or javelin.
- Disadvantage: Attacking at range with any weapon you are not proficient with, you will make the attack with disadvantage.
- Loss of your Main Weapon: You’re temporarily disarming yourself, needing to retrieve your sword or draw another weapon for subsequent turns.
So, while you can throw a longsword, it’s generally not advisable unless you are in a very specific and dire circumstance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs about throwing weapons, dual wielding, damage, and other relevant rules in D&D 5e:
1. Can you throw any melee weapon?
Yes, you can throw any melee weapon. However, weapons that don’t have the thrown property are treated as improvised ranged weapons, which means they deal 1d4 damage and use the improvised weapon range rules.
2. What does it mean when a weapon has the “thrown” property?
A weapon with the thrown property (like a dagger, javelin, or handaxe) is specifically designed to be thrown. When thrown, it uses the weapon’s standard damage die, and you use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls as you would for a melee attack with that weapon. Additionally, thrown weapons have a designated range for both their short and long throw.
3. How far can you throw a weapon in D&D?
The range depends on whether the weapon has the thrown property or if it’s being used as an improvised weapon. Thrown weapons have a range noted in their weapon description. Improvised weapons typically have a range of 20/60ft, and attacks past the 20ft range are made with disadvantage.
4. Is a longsword 1d8 or 1d10?
A longsword is a versatile weapon. This means that when used one-handed, it deals 1d8 slashing damage. However, if used two-handed, it deals 1d10 slashing damage.
5. Can you throw two daggers in D&D?
Yes, if you start your turn with a dagger in each hand, you can throw both. If you only have one dagger at the start of your turn, you can throw the dagger as your action, draw another as part of your move or with a free action, and then throw that dagger as a bonus action if you are wielding a light melee weapon in the other hand.
6. How does two-weapon fighting work?
Two-weapon fighting allows you to make an extra attack with a light melee weapon in your off-hand as a bonus action if you make an attack with a light melee weapon as your action. When doing this, you don’t add your ability modifier to the damage roll for the bonus action attack. However, if you have the Two Weapon Fighting fighting style or certain class features, this may not be the case.
7. Can you dual wield a greatsword?
No, you cannot dual wield a greatsword (or any two-handed weapon) because it requires two hands to wield, not just to attack. It can’t be used with the two weapon fighting rule which specifically limits this rule to light melee weapons. Creatures that are larger or have more than two arms may be the exception to this rule, at the discretion of your Dungeon Master.
8. Is it better to roll 2d6 or 1d12?
This depends on your preference. 2d6 produces more consistent, reliable damage with an average roll of 7. 1d12 has a higher chance of a larger, but also has a higher chance of a smaller, damage roll. For the most reliable and consistent damage, 2d6 is preferred.
9. Is it better to roll 2d4 or 1d8?
If “better” means “higher max damage”, 1d8 produces better results. It has a 12.5% chance of a max damage roll, while 2d4 only has a 6.25% chance of max damage.
10. What is the “Take 20” rule?
The take 20 rule is a house rule that allows a character to try until they get it right, assuming enough time and no external pressure. It’s generally used for non-combat skill checks, and usually means an action takes 20 times longer than normal. For example, a skill check that would usually take six seconds, would take 2 minutes instead using the take 20 rule. This rule is not part of the default rules of the game and is at the discretion of the Dungeon Master.
11. How much can a character carry?
Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15 in pounds. You also have a lift, push, and drag capability that is equal to double that carrying capacity number.
12. Can you throw two light weapons in D&D?
Yes, if you make an attack with a light melee weapon as your action, you can make a bonus action attack with a different light melee weapon in your other hand, as per the two weapon fighting rules.
13. What happens when you throw an opponent in D&D 5e?
To throw an opponent, they must be grappled. You can only throw them if they weigh half of your push, drag, lift capacity or less. The distance you can throw them is also based on their weight as compared to your lift capacity. The rules do not cover damage for the thrown opponent, which means your DM is free to improvise this rule.
14. Is 2d6 better than 1d8?
Stepping down and splitting a single die (like from d8 to 2d6) is usually done to increase consistency rather than maximum damage. Therefore, 2d6 is better for more consistent damage rolls, while 1d8 has more extremes.
15. Can a Paladin wield a greatsword?
Yes, Paladins are proficient with martial weapons, and this includes greatswords. They can also use both greatswords and spells.
Conclusion
While the image of a hero throwing a longsword might seem awesome, it’s mechanically suboptimal in D&D 5e. The rules treat this as using an improvised ranged weapon, resulting in reduced damage and range. Understanding the rules surrounding thrown and improvised weapons will help you make the most effective tactical choices in your D&D game. Remember, a longsword is best kept for melee combat, unless the dice gods demand you make a bold, improvised move!