Do Ranged Attacks Have Disadvantage on Prone Enemies?

Yes and no. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no, but rather depends on the attacker’s distance to the target. Ranged attacks do have disadvantage when attacking a prone creature if the attacker is within 5 feet of the prone target. However, if the attacker is not within 5 feet, then there is no disadvantage imposed. This rule is often misunderstood, so let’s delve into the nuances to ensure you’re playing the game correctly. Prone targets, while vulnerable, also present their own tactical considerations for ranged combatants. Mastering this rule can significantly impact your combat effectiveness.

Understanding the Prone Condition in 5e

Before we dissect the ranged attack rules, let’s establish what being prone actually means in the context of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. A prone creature is lying on the ground and is subject to specific advantages and disadvantages.

• Crawl: A prone creature must crawl to move. Crawling costs 1 extra foot of movement for each foot moved.

• Attack Rolls: Attack rolls against the creature have advantage if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature. Otherwise, attack rolls against the creature have disadvantage.

• The Creature’s Attacks: The creature’s own attack rolls have disadvantage.

Notice the careful wording concerning attack rolls. It is key to correctly understanding how to play.

The Key Distinction: Melee vs. Ranged

The rule concerning advantage on attack rolls against a prone creature applies primarily to melee attacks. Melee attackers gain advantage because the prone target is easier to strike up close.

However, ranged attacks are treated differently. As mentioned above: A ranged attack against a prone target has disadvantage only if the attacker is within 5 feet. This seems counterintuitive, but the reasoning is that shooting at a target on the ground up close is more difficult. The target is small and difficult to aim at, forcing the attacker to essentially shoot downwards.

Practical Scenarios

Let’s explore a few practical scenarios to solidify our understanding:

• Scenario 1: A goblin is prone. A fighter stands 3 feet away and attacks with a longbow. The fighter has disadvantage on the attack roll.

• Scenario 2: A hobgoblin is prone. A ranger stands 20 feet away and attacks with a longbow. The ranger does not have disadvantage on the attack roll.

• Scenario 3: An orc is prone. A paladin stands 5 feet away and attacks with a greatsword. The paladin has advantage on the attack roll.

• Scenario 4: An elven rogue is prone. A wizard stands 10 feet away and casts fire bolt. The wizard does not have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Why This Rule Matters

This seemingly small rule has significant implications for tactical gameplay. It forces players to consider positioning carefully. A ranged attacker might want to stay at a distance to avoid disadvantage, while a melee attacker will always want to be right next to a prone target to gain advantage. Understanding this dynamic can drastically improve your combat efficiency and strategic decision-making in D&D. This is the kind of learning that organizations like Games Learning Society seek to promote through the study and application of game-based educational techniques. Find out more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Advanced Tactics and Considerations

• Teamwork: Coordinating with your teammates is crucial. Melee characters can knock enemies prone, setting them up for advantage. Ranged characters can then capitalize on this, maintaining their distance while still benefiting from the enemy’s vulnerability.

• Feats and Abilities: Certain feats and class abilities can modify these rules. For example, the Sharpshooter feat can negate disadvantage on ranged attacks in certain circumstances, while other abilities might grant bonuses against prone targets.

• Terrain: The surrounding terrain can also play a role. Difficult terrain can hinder movement, making it harder for ranged attackers to maintain their optimal distance.

• Enemy Abilities: Some enemies might have abilities that allow them to stand up quickly or negate the effects of being prone. Be aware of these abilities and adjust your tactics accordingly.

FAQs on Ranged Attacks and Prone Enemies

1. Does the disadvantage for ranged attacks within 5 feet of a prone target stack with other sources of disadvantage?

Yes. Disadvantage from multiple sources does stack. So, if you have disadvantage from being within 5 feet of a prone target and disadvantage from, say, the Blinded condition, you roll two dice and take the lower result.

2. If I’m a ranged attacker with the Crossbow Expert feat, does that negate the disadvantage of attacking a prone target within 5 feet?

No, Crossbow Expert doesn’t negate that disadvantage. Crossbow Expert removes the disadvantage from attacking at close range, but the disadvantage on attacking a prone target within 5 feet is a separate rule related to the target being prone.

3. Does cover affect ranged attacks against prone targets?

Yes, cover still applies. If a prone target has half cover, three-quarters cover, or total cover, the usual rules for cover apply.

4. What happens if a prone creature takes the Dodge action?

The Dodge action gives creatures attacking it disadvantage on attack rolls until the start of the creature’s next turn. In melee, that is redundant. However, if you are a ranged attacker, you have disadvantage for being within 5 feet as well as the Dodge action.

5. Can I use a ranged spell attack against a prone target? Does the disadvantage within 5 feet apply?

Yes, the disadvantage within 5 feet does apply to ranged spell attacks as well. The rule isn’t specific to weapon attacks, but rather to all ranged attack rolls.

6. Does being prone affect saving throws against ranged attacks or spells?

No, being prone does not directly affect saving throws against ranged attacks or spells. However, certain spells or abilities might target prone creatures specifically, imposing disadvantage on saving throws as part of the spell’s effect.

7. If a creature is both prone and restrained, how does that affect ranged attacks?

A restrained creature has its speed reduced to 0, and attack rolls against it have advantage. A ranged attack against a prone target has disadvantage only if the attacker is within 5 feet of the prone target. Being restrained only adds advantage on all attacks against the restrained character.

8. What about ranged attacks with area-of-effect spells? Do those have disadvantage against prone targets within 5 feet?

No, area-of-effect spells generally don’t make attack rolls. They typically require saving throws. The prone condition only affects attack rolls, not saving throws.

9. If I knock an enemy prone with a ranged attack, do I still have disadvantage if I’m within 5 feet for the next attack?

Yes, you still have disadvantage if you are within 5 feet. The condition “prone” stays until the enemy spends movement to stand up, no matter how you caused the prone condition to be set.

10. How does darkness or other conditions that impose disadvantage interact with the prone condition for ranged attacks?

Disadvantage from multiple sources stacks. So, if you are within 5 feet of a prone target and attacking in darkness without darkvision, you have disadvantage from both sources. You roll one die, not multiple.

11. Can a prone creature take the Attack action?

Yes, a prone creature can take the Attack action, but their attack rolls have disadvantage. This applies to both melee and ranged attacks. It is often better to try and stand up instead, but there may be cases where using the attack action makes more sense.

12. Are there any feats or class abilities that specifically negate the disadvantage of making ranged attacks against prone targets within 5 feet?

Not specifically. Some feats might improve your accuracy in general, but there isn’t one that specifically removes the prone-related disadvantage. The Sharpshooter feat can remove disadvantage, but requires a special attack.

13. If a creature is prone and unconscious, do ranged attacks still have disadvantage within 5 feet?

Yes, the prone condition still applies even if the creature is unconscious. So, ranged attacks within 5 feet will have disadvantage. Melee attacks have advantage.

14. Does the disadvantage for ranged attacks against prone targets within 5 feet apply to thrown weapons?

Yes, the disadvantage applies to any ranged attack, including those made with thrown weapons. Thrown weapons are simply ranged weapons that use Strength instead of Dexterity for their attack rolls.

15. How does the prone condition interact with opportunity attacks?

If a prone creature tries to stand up within the reach of an enemy, that enemy can make an opportunity attack. However, the prone creature’s movement is what triggers the opportunity attack, not the prone condition itself.