Does Horde Breaker Work with Ranged Weapons?
Horde Breaker is a popular action in D&D 5th Edition that allows players to deal with large groups of enemies in an effective and devastating manner. But what happens when we try to use it with ranged weapons? Do the rules allow it? Let’s dive in and explore the possibilities.
The Rules
Before we begin, let’s take a look at the rules. According to the D&D 5th Edition Player’s Handbook, page 272, Horde Breaker is an action attack that lets you take a free action attack "Horde Breaker Follow Up" against any enemies within 1.5 meters of the first target.
Does Horde Breaker Work with Ranged Weapons?
The short answer is: Yes, Horde Breaker can work with ranged weapons. But there are some important limitations and considerations to keep in mind.
Threw Ranged Weapons as Ranged Attacks
Ranged weapons, such as bows, crossbows, and throwing daggers, are designed to attack from a distance. When you use a ranged weapon, you are making a ranged attack, not a melee attack. This means that the Horde Breaker ability will not trigger automatically, but you can still use it as a follow-up action.
Ranged Weapon Range and Horde Breaker
When using Horde Breaker with a ranged weapon, you need to take into account the weapon’s range. If the ranged weapon has a longer range than the 1.5-meter distance specified in the Horde Breaker ability, you can use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action, but only if the target is within the weapon’s range. For example, if you are using a bow with a range of 60 meters, you can use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action against any enemy within 60 meters.
Ranged Weapons with Thrown Properties
Some ranged weapons, such as thrown daggers or short swords, have a "thrown" property that allows them to be thrown. In this case, you can use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action, even if the target is not within melee range. However, keep in mind that the weapon is still a ranged weapon and has a limited range.
Examples and Scenarios
Here are a few examples and scenarios to help illustrate how Horde Breaker can work with ranged weapons:
- Bow attack: You attack an enemy with your bow at 30 meters. If you hit, you can use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action against any enemies within 1.5 meters of the original target.
- Crossbow attack: You attack an enemy with your crossbow at 20 meters. If you hit, you can use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action against any enemies within 1.5 meters of the original target.
- Thrown dagger: You throw a dagger at an enemy at 5 meters. If you hit, you can use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action against any enemies within 1.5 meters of the original target.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Horde Breaker can work with ranged weapons, but it requires careful consideration of the weapon’s range and properties. By understanding the rules and limitations, you can effectively use Horde Breaker as a follow-up action with ranged weapons, giving you an edge in combat and allowing you to take down large groups of enemies.