Weapons

Weapons are a type of equipment that is used in attacks that deal damage. Weapons also give proficient wielders access to special weapon actions, and are an essential tool for any adventurer.

Overview

Each weapon is either melee or ranged, and deals a specific type of physical damage: Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing.

Weapons are further categorised as either martial or simple. Martial weapons deal more damage than simple weapons, but require more specialised training to properly use.

Additionally, each weapon has a set of properties which determine how the weapon may be used.

Weapon slots

Each character has a main hand slot and an off-hand slot, both of which can equip weapons.

Weapons are classified as either one-handed, two-handed or versatile. One-handed weapons only take up one weapon slot, whereas two-handed take up both. Versatile weapons can be wielded as either one-handed or two-handed weapons, the latter of which deals greater damage.

One-handed weapons allow the creature to equip a shield in their off-hand, but one-handed weapons can also be dual wielded if both weapons have the light property.

Proficiency

Classes give proficiency with weapons or category of weapons, allowing the creature to add its proficiency bonus to its attack rolls.

Proficiency in the equipped main hand weapon unlocks its weapon actions. Off-hand weapons do not grant weapon actions.

Properties

Weapons can have various special properties:

Property	Description
Enchantment (+1, +2, +3)	This weapon is magically enchanted. You also add the corresponding bonuses (+1, +2, etc.) to any attack and damage rolls made with this weapon.
Finesse	You use the higher one of your Strength and Dexterity for attack and damage rolls.
Light	Can be wielded in your off-hand as a secondary weapon, if your main-hand weapon is also light.
Range	Every ranged weapon has a normal range and a long range. Creatures that are beyond normal range but within long range can be attacked, albeit with Disadvantage. Creatures outside of long range cannot be attacked.
Extra Reach	A melee weapon with this property can be used to attack enemies up to 2.5 m / 8 ft away, instead of the regular 1.5 m / 5 ft.
Silvered	(Not implemented.) Some monsters are immune or resistant to nonmagical weapons, but susceptible to silver weapons.
Special	Various special rules apply to the weapon, explained in its description.
Thrown	A melee weapon with this property can be thrown for a ranged attack, and will benefit from the Ability Score Modifier (Strength) and Proficiency Bonus as usual, instead of being treated as an Improvised Weapon. This combines with the Finesse property: if you throw a Dagger, which has both Thrown and Finesse, you can use your Dexterity Modifier for the attack and damage rolls.
Two-Handed	Indicates that this is a two-handed weapon. It has to be wielded with both hands when making an attack with it, but can still be just carried in one.
Versatile	Indicates that this is a versatile weapon. It can be used with one hand or both hands. Typically, using a versatile weapon with both hands offers a higher maximum damage.

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Martial weapons

See also: List of martial weapons

Martial weapons require extensive training to effectively use in combat. Martial Classes such as Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, and Ranger have Proficiency with all martial weapons at Level 1. Otherwise, one can obtain martial proficiency by taking the appropriate Feat at Level 4. A creature's Race and Class may also grant it proficiency with specific types of martial weapons; see Proficiencies granted by Race and Class below.

Melee Martial Weapons
One-Handed	Versatile	Two-Handed
Flails  Morningstars  Rapiers  Scimitars  Shortswords  War Picks	Battleaxes  Longswords  Tridents  Warhammers	Glaives  Greataxes  Greatswords  Halberds  Mauls  Pikes
Ranged Martial Weapons
One-Handed	Versatile	Two-Handed
Hand Crossbows	(none)	Heavy Crossbows  Longbows

Simple weapons

See also: List of simple weapons

Simple weapons are easy to learn and use. Every Class except Druid, Wizard, and Sorcerer is proficient with all simple weapons at Level 1. Otherwise, one can obtain simple weapon proficiency by taking the appropriate Feat at Level 4. A creature's Race and Class may also grant it proficiency with specific types of simple weapons; see Proficiencies granted by Race and Class below.

• Druid: Club, Dagger, Javelin, Mace, Quarterstaff, Sickle, Spear
• Wizard, Sorcerer: Dagger, Quarterstaff, Light Crossbow

Melee Simple Weapons
One-Handed	Versatile	Two-Handed
Clubs  Daggers  Handaxes  Javelins  Light Hammers  Maces  Sickles	Quarterstaves  Spears	Greatclubs
Ranged Simple Weapons
One-Handed	Versatile	Two-Handed
(none)	(none)	Light Crossbows  Shortbows

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Proficiencies granted by Race and Class

Weapon Proficiencies granted by Race and Class

Racial Weapon Proficiencies
Drow	Rapiers,  Shortswords,  Hand Crossbows
Dwarf	Battleaxes,  Handaxes,  Light Hammers,  Warhammers
Elf	Longswords,  Shortswords,  Longbows,  Shortbows
Githyanki	Greatswords,  Longswords,  Shortswords
Half-Elf, Human	Pikes,  Spears,  Halberds,  Glaives
Class Weapon Proficiencies
Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger	Martial weapons, Simple weapons (In effect, all weapons except Improvised.)
Bard, Rogue	Simple weapons,  Hand Crossbows,  Longswords,  Rapiers,  Shortswords
Cleric	Simple weapons,  Flails,  Morningstars
Druid	Clubs,  Daggers,  Javelins,  Maces,  Quarterstaves,  Scimitars,  Sickles,  Spears
Monk	Simple weapons,  Shortswords
Sorcerer, Wizard	Daggers,  Light Crossbows,  Quarterstaves
Warlock	Simple weapons

Improvised weapons

Objects that aren't actually weapons can nevertheless be used as Improvised Weapons. Note that this is not the same as using a non-weapon item that resembles a weapon strongly enough to allow it to be used as such. For example, when Salami is used as a weapon, it actually functions as a Club, not as an Improvised Weapon.

Weapon properties table

The following table summarizes all weapon types in the game and provides a quick overview of their properties. The ranges listed for ranged weapons is their normal range; they also have an extended range which is double that, but confers disadvantage to the attacker.

Weapon	Damage		Range	Properties	Basic weapon actions
	1h	2h
Simple melee weapons
Clubs	1d4 Bludgeoning		1.5 m (5 ft)	Light	Concussive Smash
Daggers	1d4 Piercing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Finesse, Light, Thrown	Piercing Strike
Handaxes	1d6 Slashing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Light, Thrown	Lacerate
Javelins	1d6 Piercing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Thrown	Piercing Strike
Light Hammers	1d4 Bludgeoning		1.5 m (5 ft)	Light, Thrown	Concussive Smash
Maces	1d6 Bludgeoning		1.5 m (5 ft)		Concussive Smash
Sickles	1d4 Slashing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Light	Lacerate
Quarterstaves	1d6 Bludgeoning	1d8 Bludgeoning	1.5 m (5 ft)	Versatile	Topple
Spears	1d6 Piercing	1d8 Piercing	1.5 m (5 ft)	Versatile, Thrown	Rush Attack
Greatclubs	1d8 Bludgeoning		1.5 m (5 ft)	Two-handed	Concussive Smash, Tenacity
Martial melee weapons
Flails	1d8 Bludgeoning		1.5 m (5 ft)		Concussive Smash, Tenacity, Weakening Strike
Morningstars	1d8 Piercing		1.5 m (5 ft)		Concussive Smash, Heartstopper, Tenacity
Rapiers	1d8 Piercing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Finesse	Flourish, Piercing Strike, Weakening Strike
Scimitars	1d6 Slashing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Finesse, Light	Flourish, Lacerate
Shortswords	1d6 Piercing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Finesse, Light	Flourish, Piercing Strike
War Picks	1d8 Piercing		1.5 m (5 ft)		Maiming Strike, Piercing Strike, Weakening Strike
Battleaxes	1d8 Slashing	1d10 Slashing	1.5 m (5 ft)	Versatile	Cleave, Lacerate, Maiming Strike
Longswords	1d8 Slashing	1d10 Slashing	1.5 m (5 ft)	Versatile	Lacerate, Pommel Strike, Rush Attack
Tridents	1d6 Piercing	1d8 Piercing	1.5 m (5 ft)	Versatile, Thrown	Disarming Strike, Piercing Strike, Rush Attack
Warhammers	1d8 Bludgeoning	1d10 Bludgeoning	1.5 m (5 ft)	Versatile	Backbreaker, Concussive Smash, Weakening Strike
Glaives	1d10 Slashing		2.5 m (8 ft)	Two-handed	Brace (Melee), Lacerate, Rush Attack
Greataxes	1d12 Slashing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Two-handed	Cleave, Lacerate, Prepare
Greatswords	2d6 Slashing		1.5 m (5 ft)	Two-handed	Cleave, Lacerate, Pommel Strike
Halberds	1d10 Slashing		2.5 m (8 ft)	Two-handed	Cleave, Lacerate, Rush Attack
Mauls	2d6 Bludgeoning		1.5 m (5 ft)	Two-handed	Backbreaker, Concussive Smash, Tenacity
Pikes	1d10 Piercing		2.5 m (8 ft)	Two-handed	Brace (Melee), Piercing Strike, Rush Attack
Simple ranged weapons
Light Crossbows	1d8 Piercing		18 m (60 ft)	Two-handed	Piercing Shot
Shortbows	1d6 Piercing		18 m (60 ft)	Two-handed	Hamstring Shot
Martial ranged weapons
Hand Crossbows	1d6 Piercing		15 m (50 ft)	Light	Mobile Shot, Piercing Shot
Heavy Crossbows	1d10 Piercing		18 m (60 ft)	Two-handed	Brace (Ranged), Piercing Shot
Longbows	1d8 Piercing		18 m (60 ft)	Two-handed	Brace (Ranged), Hamstring Shot

Other weapon lists

The following are pages where lists of weapons can be found to achieve specific goals, such as maximizing a character's Spell DC or attack bonuses.

• List of weapons with global passives

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Unused weapons

Two types of weapons cannot be normally obtained in-game, but are still present in the game files along with their unique proficiencies.

Weapon	1H-dmg	2H-dmg	Finesse	Weight	Range	Damage Type
Darts		1d4	Yes		18 m / 60 ft	Piercing
Slings	1d4				18 m / 60 ft	Bludgeoning

Notes

• In Early Access there were two properties called  Heavy and Loading. These are properties in the tabletop game, but their effects were never implemented and they didn't make it into the final game.

Footnotes

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