Adventuring in the many worlds ofDungeons & Dragonscan be dangerous. Going into an encounter unprepared can result in an entire party being wiped out. Fortunately, players have a variety of weapons to choose from when playingDungeons & Dragons. Certainclasses have proficiencies in specific weaponsthat often reflect the class’s focus.
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GMs and players can both use thePlayers Handbookto find some of the most common weapons found in any fantasy setting. However, players can often find themselves in situations where their weapons have been taken and there are no traditional replacements to be found. Creative players can turn even the most mundane object into a lethal weapon, and this special category of weapons is called “Improvised Weapons.”
3Improvised Weapons
Improvised weapons areobjects that characters can wield in one or two hands, ranging from broken glass, frying pans, and the body of a fallen foe. As long as a character can physically lift, swing, or throw the item, it can be used as an improvised weapon.
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Most improvised weapons will be able to use the samedamage typeanddamage dieas an existing common weapon. A table or chair leg can act as a club, while a shard of glass or a broken bottle can count as an improvised dagger. GMs also have the option to allow players touse their proficiency bonuseson improvised weapons that are similar enough to their weapon proficiencies.
Types Of Weapons That Can Use Common Melee Weapon Damage Stats
2Unconventional Improvised Weapons
GMs are encouraged to use1d4 as the damage amountfor objects thatdo not resemble or bear similar enough properties as a common weapon. Hitting an enemy with a spellbook would deal1d4 bludgeoning damage.
Types Of Improvised Weapons That Do Not Resemble Common Weapons
1Thrown Improvised Weapons
Throwing objects that do not have the thrown property such as a greatsword or other melee weapons can turn that melee weapon into an improvised weapon. An improvised thrown weapon has a range of20 to 60 feet.
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Types Of Improvised Thrown Or Ranged Weapons
What counts as an improvised weapon is purely left up to the players' and GM’s imaginations inDungeons & Dragons.
