D&D: Best Martial Ranged Weapons

Dungeons and Dragons allows players to create almost any character that they can envision, and many enjoy the benefits of ranged combat. The game provides a plethora of choices when it comes to weapons, and there are a few points to consider when picking one of them, which can be a little overwhelming for a newer player.

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From effective range and damage to special properties, there are many factors that affect the way a character wields a ranged weapon. Ultimately, it all comes down to a particular build and playstyle, as well as personal preference. After all, if someone prefers the aesthetics of a crossbow over a longbow, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Still, it’s hard to deny that certain martial ranged weapons in Dungeons and Dragons are simply better than others.

6 Net

No Damage

• Special
• Thrown (range 5/15)

The Net can be quite surprising to see among other Ranged Martial weapons, but here it is. While most players often overlook it, it does have a few properties that make it a surprisingly handy tool to have access to.

First of all, it is a great tool for out-of-combat hunting, providing players with additional supplies on their journey. As for combat, it can be utilized to waste an enemy’s Action or even a turn. While getting out of the Net is easy, it does waste one Action, and if an enemy only has one to begin with, players essentially get a free turn to attack. Though it’s very situational, it can be surprisingly effective.

5 Blowgun

1 Piercing Damage

• Ammunition (range 25/100)
• Loading

The blowgun is another unusual weapon, but it has a few unique properties that help it stand out. While the baseline damage is perhaps the lowest it can be in the game, the Dex modifier is added to the damage, and the special darts that are used as ammunition can be coated with various poisons.

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It is also incredibly cheap and lightweight, allowing characters to easily conceal it, much like a dagger. For infiltration or “masquerade” missions, it can be incredibly handy to have at least some kind of ranged weapon at the ready, especially for characters who aren’t that great with knife-throwing. Otherwise, 1+Dex Modifier damage is sometimes better than no damage at all.

4 Oversized Longbow

2d6 Piercing Damage

• Ammunition (range 150/600)
• Heavy
• Two-handed

The Oversized Longbow is introduced in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, and it is a very interesting take on a long-range weapon. The ridiculous size is not just for the looks, and it requires at least 18 Strength to wield and uses Strength as the damage modifier.

However, Dexterity is still used for the attack modifier, making it quite tricky to use. The damage itself and the range are great, but it will take a particular build to wield it effectively. With it being a special weapon from an adventure, it is best to consult one’s DM about whether or not a player can even have it.

3 Heavy Crossbow

1d10 Piercing Damage

• Ammunition (range 100/400)
• Heavy
• Loading
• Two-handed

The heavy crossbow is one of the most damaging ranged martial weapons, but it does come with a number of drawbacks. It is both heavy and two-handed, somewhat limiting what characters can properly use it. RAW (Rules As Written), any character whose race is categorized as Small will make all of their attacks with disadvantage.

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Besides that, the biggest drawback is the loading property, which makes characters lose an Action to reload the weapon between shots. The Crossbow Expert does offset that, but it costs a precious feat and, in this case, doesn’t even make full use of the extra attack. All in all, there are a few ways to make it one’s “main” weapon, but it is harder to do than it is with the more popular choices.

2 Hand Crossbow

1d6 Piercing Damage

• Ammunition (range 30/120)
• Light
• Loading

The hand crossbow is a great choice for some characters, especially at early levels. It does decent damage and doesn’t take up too much space. Being one of the best one-handed ranged weapons, it is a solid option to consider, especially with the Crossbow Expert feat.

Without it, the crossbow does fall off fairly quickly, due to the Loading property. Characters like Fighters and Rogues won’t get too much usage out of their extra attacks and will be better off with a bow. Still, it is a great weapon to have at the ready, especially for hunting werewolves or vampires.

1 Longbow

1d8 Piercing Damage

• Ammunition (range 150/600)
• Heavy
• Two-handed

The longbow is a staple across all forms of media, and it is just as popular in the D&D community for many reasons. It offers good damage, great range, and pairs well with many class abilities and perks. It also has quite a few Magical variants, allowing characters to progressively get upgraded versions.

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This is the go-to weapon for many classes, such as Rangers or Fighters, who can effectively utilize it with their Dexterity. The Sharpshooter feat is fantastic for it, providing the Longbow with even more effective range and allowing the wielder to ignore covers, all with a nice bonus of +10 damage at the cost of -5 to attack. There are also quite a few arrows with special properties or extra damage, giving the wielders some flexibility when it comes to damage types and even utility.

Dungeons and Dragons

Original Release Date

1974-00-00

Designer

E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson