Weapon actions: Difference between revisions

{{ up to date | 2023-08-29 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->

'''Weapon Actions''' are a type of [[Action]] granted to a character based on the type of weapon they are wielding. For example, bladed weapons such as [[Longswords]] will typically grant the [[Lacerate]] weapon action.

These actions are only usable once per [[Short Rest]] and are special in some way, normally able to do bonus damage, hit multiple targets, debilitate foes, or move the character.

In order to gain access to the Weapon Actions from a weapon, a creature must have [[Proficiency]] in that weapon type and have it equipped in the main hand or both hands (off-hand weapons do not grant Weapon Actions).

The [[Difficulty Class]] (or DC) for Saving Throws against Weapon Actions is calculated similarly to [[Spells|Spellcasting DC]] - except for four differences: firstly, the [[Spells#Spellcasting Ability and Proficiency|Spellcasting Ability Modifier]] is replaced with the [[Ability Modifier]] of either Strength or Dexterity, whichever is higher; secondly, proficiency bonus isn't added; thirdly, the base DC is 10 instead of 8; and finally, each Weapon Action can grant its own inherent bonus DC that isn't listed anywhere,<!-- LARIAN! --> but most frequently it's +2. To express all this mathematically:

Weapon Action DC = 10 + [[Strength|Strength]] or [[Dexterity|Dexterity]] + [[Weapon Actions#Melee Weapons|Inherent Weapon Action Bonus DC]]

Certain Weapon Action instead uses '''Hybrid DC'''<!-- LARIAN! -->, which allows a user to either use their [[Spells|Spellcasting DC]] or Weapon Action DC with a +2 bonus, whichever is higher.

== Overview of Weapon Actions ==

=== Melee Weapons ===

! style="width: 15.0%;" | Weapon Action

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Associated Weapons

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Cost

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Effect

! style="width: 12.5%;" | Bonus DC

! style="width: 20.0%;" | Damage

| [[Backbreaker]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Warhammers}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Mauls}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Prone|inline=true}}

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> {{DamageType|Bludgeoning}}

| [[Brace (Melee)]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Glaives}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Pikes}}

| {{action | movement | m = 6 | ft = 20 }}

| 'Advantage' on damage rolls for this turn

| -

| -

| [[Cleave]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Battleaxes}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greataxes}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Halberds}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greatswords}}

| {{Action}}

| Strike 3 targets <br> {{AOE | cone | m = 1.5 | ft = 5 }}

| Halved weapon damage <br> (added damage is not halved e.g. from [[Divine Smite]], [[Great Weapon Master: All In|Great Weapon Master]])

| [[Concussive Smash]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Morningstars}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Clubs}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Light Hammers}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Maces}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Warhammers}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greatclubs}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Mauls}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Dazed|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (Hybrid DC)

| [[Crippling Strike]]

<li> {{WeaponType|War Picks}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Battleaxes}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Crippled|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+2)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> {{DamageType|Slashing}}

| [[Disarming_Strike_(Weapon_Action)|Disarming Strike]]

|

<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{WeaponType|Tridents}}

| {{Action}}

| Target drops Weapon

| [[Strength]]  (+2)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> {{DamageType|Piercing}}

| [[Flourish]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Scimitars}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Shortswords}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Rapiers}}

| {{Action|bonus}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Off Balance|inline=true}}

| [[Dexterity]] (+2)

| None

| [[Heartstopper]]

|

<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{WeaponType|Morningstars}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Chest Trauma|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+2)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> {{DamageText||Bludgeoning}}

| [[Lacerate]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Handaxes}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Sickles}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Scimitars}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Battleaxes}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Longswords}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Glaives}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greataxes}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greatswords}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Halberds}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Bleeding|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+2)

| [[Piercing Strike]]

|<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{WeaponType|Daggers}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Rapiers}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Shortswords}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Tridents}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Pikes}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Javelins}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Gaping Wounds|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+2)

| [[Pommel Strike]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Longswords}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greatswords}}

| {{Action|bonus}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Dazed|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+2)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> {{DamageType|Slashing}}

| [[Prepare]]

|

<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{WeaponType|Greataxes}}

| {{action | movement | m = 6 | ft = 20 }}

| [[Ability Score Modifier|Strength Modifier]] <br> {{DamageType|Slashing}}

| [[Rush Attack]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Longswords}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Spears}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Tridents}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Glaives}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Halberds}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Pikes}}

</ul>

| {{Action}}

| Charge 9 m / 30 ft <br> Inflict {{Condition|Off Balance|inline=true}}

| [[Strength]] (+1)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> Inherits weapon damage type  

| [[Tenacity]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Morningstars}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Greatclubs}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Mauls}}

| {{Action|Reaction}}

| -

| [[Ability Score Modifier|Strength Modifier]] <br> {{DamageType|Bludgeoning}}

| [[Topple]]

|

<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{WeaponType|Quarterstaves}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Prone|inline=true}}

| [[Dexterity]] (+2)

| None

| [[Weakening Strike]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Rapiers}}

<li> {{WeaponType|War Picks}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Warhammers}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Weak Grip|inline=true}}

| [[Strength]] (+2)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> Inherits weapon damage type  

=== Ranged Weapons ===

! style="width: 15.0%;" | Weapon Action

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Associated Weapons

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Cost

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Effect

! style="width: 12.5%;" | Saving Throw

! style="width: 20.0%;" | Damage

| [[Brace (Ranged)]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Longbows}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Heavy Crossbows}}

| {{action | movement | m = 6 | ft = 20 }}

| 'Advantage' on damage rolls for this turn

| -

| -

| [[Hamstring Shot]]

<li> {{WeaponType|Shortbows}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Longbows}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Hamstrung|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+1)

| [[Mobile Shot]]

|

<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{WeaponType|Hand Crossbows}}

| {{Action|bonus}}

| Weapon attack as a bonus action <br> ''Prerequisite: Dashed or Disengaged this turn''

| -

| [[Piercing Shot]]

|  

<li> {{WeaponType|Light Crossbows}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Hand Crossbows}}

<li> {{WeaponType|Heavy Crossbows}}

| {{Action}}

| Inflict {{Condition|Gaping Wounds|inline=true}}

| [[Constitution]] (+1)

=== Special Actions ===

The following actions are available only on specific weapons.

! style="width: 15.0%;" | Weapon Action

! style="width: 17.5%;" | Associated Weapons

! style="width: 15.0%;" | Cost

! style="width: 20.0%;" | Effect

! style="width: 12.5%;" | Saving Throw

! style="width: 20.0%;" | Damage

| [[Arcane Ammunition (Weapon Action)|Arcane Ammunition]]

| {{SmallIcon|Crossbow of Arcane Force Icon.png}} [[Crossbow of Arcane Force]]

| {{Action|bonus}}

| Infuse your bolts to deal additional an {{DamageText|1d4|Force}} damage.

| [[Colossal Onslaught]]

| {{SmallIcon|Jorgoral's Greatsword Icon.png}} [[Jorgoral's Greatsword]]

| {{Action}}

| Strike multiple foes in a {{AOE | line | m = 6 | ft = 20 }}.<!-- line 3m wide and 6m long -->

| [[Corrosive Strike (Weapon Action)|Corrosive Strike]]

| {{SmallIcon|Corrosive Flail Icon.png}} [[Corrosive Flail]]

| {{Action}}

| Deal additional {{DamageType|Acid}} damage equal to your [[Proficiency Bonus]]. On a hit, create a pool of acid around the target which reduces {{ArmourClass}} by 2.

| [[Dawnburst Strike]]

| [[The Sacred Star]]

| {{Action}}

| Deal additional {{DamageType|Radiant}} damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus. On a hit, light erupts around you in a 3m area. Enemies in the light must succeed a {{SavingThrow|Constitution|dc=13}} or be Blinded.

| [[Constitution]]

| 1d8 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} <br> + {{DamageText|4|Radiant}}

| [[Gargantuan Cleave]]

| {{SmallIcon|Greataxe PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Very Heavy Greataxe]]

| {{Action}}

| Strike multiple foes but inflict {{Condition|Off Balance|inline=true}} on self

| [[Hush You! (Weapon Action)|Hush You!]]

| {{SmallIcon|Battleaxe PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Witchbreaker]]

| {{Action}}

| Slash a target and possibly {{Condition|Silenced|inline=true|altname=Silence}} it.

| [[Constitution]] (+1)

| 1d8 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} {{DamageType|Bludgeoning}}

| [[Maiming Strike (Weapon Action)|Maiming Strike]]

| {{SmallIcon|Handaxe PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Thermodynamo Axe]] <br> {{SmallIcon|Handaxe PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Pactbound Battleaxe]]

| {{Action}}

| Possibly inflict {{Condition|Maimed|inline=true}} on your target. They can't move.

| [[Constitution]] (+1)

| 1d4 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} {{DamageType|Bludgeoning}}

| [[Razor Gale (Weapon_Action)|Razor Gale]]

| {{SmallIcon|Longsword PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Larethian's Wrath]]

| {{Action}}

| Swing your weapon in a {{AOE | cone | m = 4 | ft = 13 }} that deals damage to all enemies within range.

| 1d8 {{DamageModifier|Dexterity}} {{DamageType|Bludgeoning}}

| [[Soulbreaker]]

<ul style="list-style: none;">

<li> {{SmallIcon|Soulbreaker Greatsword Icon.png}} [[Soulbreaker Greatsword]]

<li> {{SmallIcon|Githyanki Greatsword Icon.png}} [[Silver Sword of the Astral Plane]]

| {{Action}}

| Rend the enemy's body and soul, dealing an additional {{DamageText|4|Psychic}} damage and possibly {{Condition|Stunned|inline=true|altname=Stun}} them.

| [[Constitution]] (+1)

| 1d6 {{DamageModifier|Strength}} {{DamageType|Piercing}} + {{DamageText|4|Psychic}} <!-- That's what the ingame tooltip says-->

| {{SmallIcon|Shortsword PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Sword of Clutching Umbra]]

| {{Action}}

| Strike an enemy, adding your [[Proficiency Bonus]] and {{DamageText|1d6|Psychic}} to the damage. This attack doesn't break concealment.

| -

| 1d8 {{DamageModifier|Dexterity}} {{DamageType|Bludgeoning}} + {{DamageText|1d6|Psychic}} <!-- That's what the ingame tooltip says-->

| {{SmallIcon|Longsword PlusOne Icon.png}} [[Balduran's Giantslayer]]

| {{Action}}

| Deal additional damage. Large, Huge or Gargantuan creatures take an additional {{DamageText|2-12|Slashing}} damage and may fall {{Condition|Prone|inline=true}}.

| [[Strength]] (+1)

| 2d6 + 2x [[Ability Score Modifier|Strength Modifier]] + Proficiency Bonus {{DamageType|Slashing}}

== Conditions Inflicted by Weapon Actions ==

| {{Condition|Bleeding|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Chest Trauma|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Crippled|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Dazed|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Gaping Wounds|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Hamstrung|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Off Balance|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Prone|inline=true}}

| {{Condition|Weak Grip|inline=true}}