Weapon ranges in 5e.

Alderaan Crumbs · January 08, 2015, 05:55:27 PM

I noticed that the ranges are exceedingly short, especially modern firearms in the DMG. Am I missing something that makes sense of this (especially when coupled with Advantage/Disadvantage)?

Emperor Norton · January 08, 2015, 06:05:29 PM

D&D wasn't really designed to handle modern firearms really, but also people overestimate how far the effective range of weapons are.

Like the longbow in the book can shoot out to 200 yards. In real life, a 100 yard shot with a modern bow is considered ridiculous. Most hunters wouldn't even shoot at anything farther than 50 yards out. And that is with a modern compound bow.

EDIT: Taking a look at the chart in the DMG, the modern weapons do have surprisingly low ranges. How does a hunting rifle have less range than a bow?

Bren · January 08, 2015, 06:32:52 PM

Quote from: Emperor Norton;808500Taking a look at the chart in the DMG, the modern weapons do have surprisingly low ranges. How does a hunting rifle have less range than a bow?

It might if it were a smooth bore musket. Of course then it wouldn't be a rifle, would it? BTW, what is the listed range?

Emperor Norton · January 08, 2015, 06:39:23 PM

Quote from: Bren;808503It might if it were a smooth bore musket. Of course then it wouldn't be a rifle, would it? BTW, what is the listed range?

Nah, its a select fire rifle like an M-16. 30 rounds, burst fire capable, range is 80/240 compared to the longbows 150/600. Its even shorter than the shortbow 80/320. (the hunting rifle above it has the same range. Just using the most odd comparison. Muskets are in a different category under "renaissance firearms").

Bren · January 08, 2015, 07:22:04 PM

No, those ranges don't make sense. The arrow long range looks like limit of flight at unaimed 45-degree angles. I kind of think the equivelent unaimed firing of an M-16 is more than 240 yards. And hey, the Internet agrees with me.

28 Describe the ranges for the M16/A2 Rifle.

Maximum Range - 3,600 meters
Max Effective Range for a Point Target - 550 meters
Max Effective Range for an Area Target - 800 meters

Wikipedia cites similar ranges

Effective firing range 600 meters (point target)
Effective firing range 800 meters (area target)

WTF!?

Sacrosanct · January 08, 2015, 07:22:43 PM

wow. I never really looked at that before. It would make sense if in meters, but not feet. 240ft for max range on a hunting rifle? What are they thinking, that you'll throw the rifle at the target?

Maximum effective range for most assault rifles is between 300-400 meters. In fact, you have to hit a 300m target with an open sight M16 in qualification.

Kiero · January 08, 2015, 08:42:18 PM

Let me guess, the sling has a shorter range than the shortbow, and the javelin's range is pitiful?

Bren · January 08, 2015, 09:55:35 PM

Quote from: Sacrosanct;808508wow. I never really looked at that before. It would make sense if in meters, but not feet. 240ft for max range on a hunting rifle?

The bow range in post #2 used distance in yards, so I assume it is 240 yards. Which is still too short and especially too short compared to the ranges for the bows.

Emperor Norton · January 08, 2015, 10:48:18 PM

The 80/240 is in feet. It's all around absurd. If I ever use modern weapons in 5e those ranges x are getting changed.

Necrozius · January 08, 2015, 10:55:23 PM

Yeah that's an obvious mistake. But to be frank, I can't think of an instance that I'd want to use modern weapons in D&D. Future weapons, sure, for a gonzo planetary romance campaign. To be even more, uh, frank, I don't really ever use range increments anyway, except in the loosest sense.

That being said, I'll most likely end up putting in a sticky note with more accurate ranges on that page.

Ronin · January 09, 2015, 01:12:47 AM

Quote from: Emperor Norton;808504Nah, its a select fire rifle like an M-16. 30 rounds, burst fire capable, range is 80/240 compared to the longbows 150/600. Its even shorter than the shortbow 80/320. (the hunting rifle above it has the same range. Just using the most odd comparison. Muskets are in a different category under "renaissance firearms").

Quote from: Emperor Norton;808528The 80/240 is in feet. It's all around absurd. If I ever use modern weapons in 5e those ranges x are getting changed.

Maybe add a 0 to the modern weapon ranges. So instead of 80/240, it would be 800/2400. Not perfect by any means, but better.

Omega · January 09, 2015, 05:32:27 AM

The range bit is a little odd.

I do not see it in the PHB or DMG. But why not use AD&D's method and when outdoors convert all ranges to yards?

mAcular Chaotic · January 09, 2015, 08:24:15 AM

Speaking of ranges, are there any house rules you guys have to handle up close combat?

Someone using a long bow in melee range seems wrong to me. How does 5E handle that? I bet there are rules for fighting against melee attackers up close with a ranged weapon but I can't find them.

Omega · January 09, 2015, 10:55:53 AM

Close fighting with a ranged weapon, spell, or powers imposes disadvantage.

Bren · January 09, 2015, 03:57:58 PM

Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;808542Someone using a long bow in melee range seems wrong to me.

A long bow seems like an inferior staff, I'd think.