D&d 5e Drawing A Weapon

Hardin Aporged · Sunday, November 14, 2021

Thread: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

2020-06-28,04:33 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #1

Bugbear in the Playground

Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

I am a quite inexperienced DM, DMing a group of absolutely inexperienced players. Lately my players are starting to realize the power of tactics (?) and stuff, and they've played quite fast and loose with going from bow to dual weilding swords back to bow, and stuff like that.
What do the rules say exactly about switching weapons? Do you handle it different from the RAW at your tablet?

Nothing to see here, move along.
2020-06-28,04:41 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #2

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Either drawing or stowing a weapon uses up your one free interaction on your turn.
2020-06-28,04:53 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #3

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

RAW has been stated. I typically go with longsword in one hand, bow in the other, only switching to 2h if ranged is extremely unlikely. At our table we have a sort of agreement that the people with a firm grasp of the rules have to follow them, while those with a shakier grasp follow the rule of fun instead. If the shakier players start getting good enough with the rules to start taking advantage of the rules, they also have to start following the rules.
2020-06-28,05:00 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #4

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Composer99

Either drawing or stowing a weapon uses up your one free interaction on your turn.

This would mean that to attack with a stowed weapon, I would have to have my hands free at the start of my turn (or drop whatever I was holding to the ground instead of stowing it) right?

Nothing to see here, move along.
2020-06-28,05:05 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #5

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Xapi

This would mean that to attack with a stowed weapon, I would have to have my hands free at the start of my turn (or drop whatever I was holding to the ground instead of stowing it) right?

Yep.
However, you could houserule that stowing something and drawing something else is a single object interaction if you want to be more generous. Note that it will be more likely to be abused by spellcasters than pure weapon-users, as they will "stow, cast, draw" as opposed to the current "drop [free], cast, pick-up"--so maybe it doesn't really make a difference after all.
2020-06-28,05:31 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #6

Titan in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

"I'm just going to stow my current weapon in this creature's face, and then draw another weapon. I'll retrieve the stowed one after the fight."

I want you to PEACH me as hard as you can.
2020-06-28,05:59 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #7

Ogre in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

It almost never comes up.
Whatever weapon is our primary, we stick with it.

Our barbarian uses a shield and spear.
Our fighter is an echo Knight so he has multiple ways to move away.
Our ranger archer has only been closed on once and the enemy died before it mattered.
2020-06-28,06:15 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #8

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Misterwhisper

It almost never comes up.

Whatever weapon is our primary, we stick with it.

Our barbarian uses a shield and spear.
Our fighter is an echo Knight so he has multiple ways to move away.
Our ranger archer has only been closed on once and the enemy died before it mattered.

Wow. For us, it comes up all the time.
Paladin--Primarily longsword & shield but also uses javelins for (short) ranged attacks.
Druid--Always has shield in one hand, the other is often empty (for spellcasting).
Bard--Uses a rapier, a hand crossbow, a lantern (yeah, for light), and an empty hand (for spellcasting)...switches often.
Cleric--Shield is a constant, but the other hand is always in flux between mace & empty (for spellcasting).
2020-06-28,06:19 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #9

Barbarian in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Xapi

This would mean that to attack with a stowed weapon, I would have to have my hands free at the start of my turn (or drop whatever I was holding to the ground instead of stowing it) right?

It's worth noting also that this is drawing ONE weapon, so two weapon fighters actually can't draw both weapons on one turn even if their hands are free. I find this to be needlessly punitive to what is already the weakest weapon style so I houserule that two weapon fighters can draw both weapons as one item interaction, but your mileage may vary.
2020-06-28,06:56 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #10

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Rhaegar14

It's worth noting also that this is drawing ONE weapon, so two weapon fighters actually can't draw both weapons on one turn even if their hands are free. I find this to be needlessly punitive to what is already the weakest weapon style so I houserule that two weapon fighters can draw both weapons as one item interaction, but your mileage may vary.

They can if they take the feat, houseruling it weakens the feat as a choice.
2020-06-28,07:09 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #11

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

It gets a little tricky because of the language in the book. For example, under use item it says you normally interact with objects as part of other actions "such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack."
I can't find the exact rule, but I do remember that you can draw your weapon as part of the attack action, which if it is true, you could use a free item interaction to stow your bow, then attack and draw your sword at the same time.

So, at the table, I usually just let people switch weapons for free. They have what they ended their turn with, but considering how likely it is to be a non-issue and the silliness you can do to make it work, I don't see the point in being super pendantic about it.
2020-06-28,07:48 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #12

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Chaosmancer

It gets a little tricky because of the language in the book. For example, under use item it says you normally interact with objects as part of other actions "such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack."

I can't find the exact rule, but I do remember that you can draw your weapon as part of the attack action, which if it is true, you could use a free item interaction to stow your bow, then attack and draw your sword at the same time.

Originally Posted by PHB

You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example, you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.

If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use your action. Some magic items and other special objects always require an action to use, as stated in their descriptions.

Drawing a weapon as part of your attack is your one "free" object interaction, drawing or sheathing a second weapon (or the same weapon) would require your action.
2020-06-28,07:59 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #13

Banned

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Xapi

I am a quite inexperienced DM, DMing a group of absolutely inexperienced players. Lately my players are starting to realize the power of tactics (?) and stuff, and they've played quite fast and loose with going from bow to dual weilding swords back to bow, and stuff like that.

What do the rules say exactly about switching weapons? Do you handle it different from the RAW at your tablet?

I go by RAW with one change: a specific interaction with an object that you've practiced over and over can be done as part of your action, instead of a separate object interaction. This doesn't really change much because most actions already include this (Cast A Spell includes component pouch manipulations "for free", shooting a bow includes drawing arrows "for free") but it does mean you can throw multiple darts/daggers/javelins per turn with Extra Attack without needing multiple object interactions.
I just think it's silly to make arrows easier to draw than knives and javelins, and it needlessly discourages throwing weapons. If you want to Action Surge 6 thrown knives in one turn go right ahead, at my table.

But other than that you get to interact with one object per turn (e.g. drawing a sword, attacking with it, and re-sheathing it), and that's been enough.
2020-06-28,08:11 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #14

Ogre in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

I go by RAW with one change: a specific interaction with an object that you've practiced over and over can be done as part of your action, instead of a separate object interaction. This doesn't really change much because most actions already include this (Cast A Spell includes component pouch manipulations "for free", shooting a bow includes drawing arrows "for free") but it does mean you can throw multiple darts/daggers/javelins per turn with Extra Attack without needing multiple object interactions.

I just think it's silly to make arrows easier to draw than knives and javelins, and it needlessly discourages throwing weapons. If you want to Action Surge 6 thrown knives in one turn go right ahead, at my table.

But other than that you get to interact with one object per turn (e.g. drawing a sword, attacking with it, and re-sheathing it), and that's been enough.

I think the main issue with throwing is the lack of an actual usable returning property.
Artificer gets a great one at level 2.

If they made a +1 returning javelin/dagger/dart/whatever I would be all over that build in a heartbeat.

I would almost play an artificer just to do it but I just don't like the feel of that class, and it seems very prone for DM trying to screw you over.
2020-06-28,08:23 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #15

Banned

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Misterwhisper

I think the main issue with throwing is the lack of an actual usable returning property.

I disagree that that's an inherent issue. Plenty of character concepts involve throwing knives/darts/shuriken, and in theory throwing five shuriken should actually be easier than throwing one shuriken five times and waiting for it to return to you each time. (E.g. you could have multiple shuriken in the air at once.)
From my perspective it's a rules issue, not a lack of magic items issue. There's no reason why throwing five knives should be more bottlenecked by object interactions than shooting five arrows.

I agree though that Artificers have some cool stuff, including one-handed hand crossbows that never run out of ammunition and which you can use at the same time as a shield. I don't really get why you feel like they need DM fiat or anything, unless you're thinking of full-fledged Artificers (e.g. Artificer 15) trying to exploit their ability to attune multiple items. If you stick to artificer dips like Artillerist 3/Battlemaster 11 (for magical crossbows and temp HP protective turrets) you should be more than fine.

Last edited by MaxWilson; 2020-06-28 at 08:27 PM.
2020-06-28,08:45 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #16

Firbolg in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

I let my players fully swap a weapon with their interaction, though if they also have a shield they have to dump that on the ground
2020-06-28,08:53 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #17

Titan in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Also it's not specified, but there's no particular reason to believe that dropping your weapon isn't also an object interaction.

Originally Posted by Kane0

I let my players fully swap a weapon with their interaction, though if they also have a shield they have to dump that on the ground

That's a pretty huge boost given dumping your shield takes an action normally.

Last edited by Tanarii; 2020-06-28 at 08:57 PM.
2020-06-28,09:48 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #18

Firbolg in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Tanarii

That's a pretty huge boost given dumping your shield takes an action normally.

My players rarely swap weapons, at most it would be to pull out some javelins or a longbow if they cannot engage with their preferred melee.
As is the game gives players no reason to swap weapons around during battle except for range and maybe magic damage resistance, I don�t see the point of punishing switch-hitting.
That said, my group are filthy casuals.
2020-06-28,09:58 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #19

Barbarian in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

I find melee types who use different styles more interesting and find RAW rather punishing and boring. XBow Expert is universally loathed at our table for removing any incentive to change styles occasionally, so we don't worry too much about it. Also, why the heck you can draw, knock, pull and shoot as many arrows as you have shots while only drawing and throwing 1 knife is beyond me.
2020-06-29,02:01 PM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #20

Barbarian in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Our other two DMs are very casual about weapon swapping. They allow any swap, or even getting a torch and oil out of a backpack and throwing the oil and then shooting it mid-air.
When I am playing and not DMing, I still make my character abide by the rules, regardless of what I could get away with.

When I DM, I make them spend the appropriate actions, even though this doesn't go over well with a couple players. I feel it's important for tactical combat.

Dropping something held is free, since nothing similar is listed as an example of object interaction.
2020-06-30,10:09 AM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #21

Ogre in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Originally Posted by Tanarii

Also it's not specified, but there's no particular reason to believe that dropping your weapon isn't also an object interaction.

given that dropping stuff is fairly common, dead PCs do it automatically, it was called out as RAI in 2015, and it is not specified in the list of free actions are all particular reasons to believe that dropping your weapon isn't an object interaction.

Originally Posted by MaxWilson

Just, please don't. Insisting on that technicality improves nothing.
2020-06-30,10:22 AM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #22

Ogre in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

You get one free object interaction every turn. This can include either drawing or stowing a weapon.
Usually, dropping something is considered to cost nothing though I don't know if that is actually written down somewhere. Since dropping something on the ground comes with its own downsides, most DMs don't have an issue with it.

There are a few cases.

1) If you don't have a weapon in hand you can use your free object interaction to draw it and you can attack. This means that if you are a two weapon fighter and you don't have a weapon drawn already (and don't have the dual wielder feat) it will take two rounds to get both weapons into play.

2) If you want to switch from a bow to a melee weapon. You can drop the bow on the ground and use a free object interaction to draw your weapon and make an attack.

3) If you dropped your bow on a previous turn and have a melee weapon in hand, then you can use a free drop to drop the melee weapon, and your object interaction to pick up the bow and then can use your action to make a ranged attack. (Assuming you are still standing where you dropped your bow).

4) If you are a two weapon fighter it can be worthwhile to walk around with a weapon in your off hand (at least when you aren't in a social situation) since you can use your object interaction to draw a second weapon and can then make both your main attack with the attack action and your offhand attack with your bonus action. Otherwise, without the feat, it will take a dual wielder two combat rounds to draw both weapons.

If instead of dropping a weapon, you want to stow it, then that takes your object interaction and you are unable to both stow and draw a weapon on the same turn since you only have one object interaction.
2020-06-30,10:28 AM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #23

Ettin in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

Drop the weapon and pull another one.
You are using your bow and someone approaches you. You drop the bow and stab them with your rapier. As soon as they are dead, you drop the rapier and can pick the bow from the ground as an object interaction (same as drawing it normally). There is danger in that someone else can grab the weapon, or if you have to run you leave your weapon behind. Still that never stopped my group, we leave the battlefield so strewn with weapons that we use red markers on the battlemap to show where everything is and remind us to pick them all back up.
2020-06-30,10:28 AM (ISO 8601) - Top - End - #24

Bugbear in the Playground

Re: Weapon switch in combat - RAW and your way

We generally don't find that, in the interest of tactics, we're switching weapons often. Especially switching to dual-wields.
In general, if you're a melee combatant and you're at range, you're moving to melee as fast as possible or staying out of LoS/behind cover.
If you're a ranged combatant, and you're in melee, you either shoot in melee, or open the range and shoot. The only time it becomes an issue is if the enemy has Sentinel, and they rarely have Sentinel.
Being able to shoot and melee with equal proficiency are sufficiently uncommon [because having both GWM and Sharpshooter is just something people don't do] that it's more efficient to take the opportunity attack and shoot/dash the extra distance for a turn of melee earlier than it is to try to switch weapons.

Last edited by LordCdrMilitant; 2020-06-30 at 10:29 AM.

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