What Qualifies as a Melee Attack in D&D 5e?
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A melee attack in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) is defined by a crucial characteristic: it is a weapon attack made when you are within 5 feet of your target. This proximity allows you to strike with a hand-held weapon, natural weaponry, or even an unarmed strike. If an attack meets these conditions, regardless of the weapon type, it is classified as a melee attack for game mechanics purposes. It’s important to note that spells are generally not melee attacks unless specifically stated in the spell description.
Understanding the Nuances of Melee Attacks
Defining a melee attack seems simple, but several nuances can impact gameplay. It’s vital to understand these details to properly apply rules involving opportunity attacks, advantage/disadvantage, and features that interact specifically with melee attacks.
Key Components of a Melee Attack
- Weapon Attack: The attack must use a weapon or be an unarmed strike. This excludes most spells, which are typically considered spell attacks.
- Range of 5 Feet: You must be within 5 feet (one square on a standard grid) of your target. This is the standard reach for most Medium-sized creatures.
- Attacker: The attacker must be capable of making a melee attack. Certain conditions or character states might prevent this (e.g., being incapacitated).
- Target: There must be a valid target within range that can be attacked. Some creatures might be immune to specific types of damage from melee attacks.
Distinguishing Melee Weapon Attacks from Melee Spell Attacks
The term “melee weapon attack” is often confused with “melee spell attack.” A melee weapon attack uses a weapon (or unarmed strike) and relies on Strength for attack rolls (unless a feature specifies otherwise). A melee spell attack, on the other hand, is a spell that requires you to make a melee attack roll, often targeting touch. Shocking Grasp is a prime example of a melee spell attack. The distinction is crucial, as certain abilities might only affect weapon attacks and not spell attacks, or vice versa.
Unarmed Strikes
An unarmed strike is a melee weapon attack. While you might not be wielding a sword or axe, your fists, feet, knees, or elbows are considered simple melee weapons. They deal bludgeoning damage, and typically a minimal amount (1 + Strength modifier). Certain classes, like Monks, enhance the damage and properties of their unarmed strikes.
Natural Weapons
Many monsters and some player races (like Leonin with their claws) possess natural weapons. These are also considered melee weapon attacks and follow the same rules as unarmed strikes unless the creature’s stat block specifies otherwise.
Situational Considerations
- Reach Weapons: Weapons with the reach property (such as a glaive or halberd) allow you to attack creatures 10 feet away, but these attacks are still considered melee attacks, provided you are using the weapon to attack something within its extended reach.
- Opportunity Attacks: When a creature moves out of your reach during its turn, you can make an opportunity attack. These are almost always melee attacks, requiring you to be within 5 feet (or reach, if applicable) of the creature triggering the attack.
- Grappling: Initiating a grapple is a special type of melee attack. Instead of dealing damage, you attempt to restrain the target. It uses an Athletics (Strength) check opposed by the target’s Athletics or Acrobatics check.
- Mounted Combat: When riding a mount, your melee attacks are subject to certain restrictions and tactical considerations, particularly regarding reach and positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a ranged attack considered a melee attack if the target is within 5 feet?
No. A ranged attack is always a ranged attack, regardless of the target’s distance. However, making a ranged attack while a hostile creature is within 5 feet of you imposes disadvantage on the attack roll, unless you have a feature that negates this penalty (like the Crossbow Expert feat).
2. Does using a whip count as a melee attack?
Yes. A whip is a melee weapon with the reach property. Therefore, attacks made with a whip are melee attacks.
3. If I throw a dagger, is that a melee attack?
No. Throwing a dagger transforms it into a ranged weapon attack. The fact that the dagger is typically a melee weapon is irrelevant once it’s thrown.
4. Are spells like Shocking Grasp considered melee attacks?
Yes, but more specifically, they are melee spell attacks. This is different from a melee weapon attack. Shocking Grasp requires you to make a melee attack roll, but it is still considered a spell for purposes of effects that target spells.
5. Does the Great Weapon Master feat apply to unarmed strikes?
No. The Great Weapon Master feat specifically requires you to be wielding a heavy weapon. Unarmed strikes are not heavy weapons.
6. Can I use Sneak Attack with an unarmed strike?
Yes, if you meet the other requirements for Sneak Attack, such as having advantage on the attack roll or an ally within 5 feet of the target. Unarmed strikes qualify as melee weapon attacks for Sneak Attack purposes.
7. If I have disadvantage on melee attack rolls, does that affect melee spell attacks?
Yes, generally. Disadvantage on attack rolls applies to all attack rolls, including melee weapon attacks and melee spell attacks, unless the source of the disadvantage specifies otherwise.
8. Does Polearm Master affect unarmed strikes?
No. The Polearm Master feat only functions with polearms.
9. Can I make an opportunity attack with a ranged weapon?
Generally, no. Opportunity attacks are melee attacks. You need the War Caster feat to cast a spell as an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and target only that creature.
10. Is grappling considered a melee attack?
Yes. Initiating a grapple is a special type of melee attack that replaces the damage dealt with an attempt to restrain the target.
11. Does the Booming Blade cantrip make an attack a melee attack?
If you cast Booming Blade and make a weapon attack as part of the spell, it remains a melee attack. The cantrip doesn’t change the attack type, it only adds effects to the weapon attack.
12. Can a Rogue use Sneak Attack if they have disadvantage on their melee attack?
Yes, but only if they have another source of advantage that cancels out the disadvantage. Otherwise, Sneak Attack cannot be applied when you have disadvantage.
13. If I use a reach weapon, does that still count as a melee attack, even at 10 feet?
Yes. Using a weapon with the reach property to attack within its extended range (typically 10 feet) is still a melee attack.
14. If I’m prone, do I have disadvantage on all melee attacks?
Yes. When you are prone, you have disadvantage on attack rolls. This includes melee attacks.
15. Does the Sentinel feat work with reach weapons?
Yes. The Sentinel feat interacts with melee attacks. If you hit a creature with an opportunity attack granted by Sentinel, its speed becomes 0 for the rest of the turn. This works with reach weapons, so you could potentially stop a creature 10 feet away from reaching you.