D&D 5E Applying Poison?

[Werebat]

Having trouble finding any rules on applying poison to weapons in 5e, despite wading through the PHB and DMG.

What sort of action is it to apply poison to a weapon? Bonus action? Does it could as "manipulating an object"?

Are there any skill checks involved in order to avoid getting poisoned while doing so? Is the assassin (or anyone proficient with a poisoner's kit) better at making these, if they exist?

 

[DeathMutant]

( From the PHB p.153; under Adventuring Gear )

Poison, Basic. You can use the poison in this vial
to coat one slashing or piercing weapon or up to three
pieces of ammunition. Applying the poison takes
an action. A creature hit by the poisoned w eapon or
ammunition must make a DC 10 Constitution saving
throw or take 1d4 poison damage. Once applied, the
poison retains potency for 1 minute before drying.

 

[Werebat]

So, is the poison good for more than one hit? Or is it removed after a hit, even if the minute isn't up and it hasn't dried yet?

 

[3SpdDragster]

I think that it is only good for one hit, unfortunately.

 

[Staffan]

Jeremy Crawford was asked about poison duration back in February. His first answer was that poison lasted for the full minute, but given the interaction with some of the nastier poisons in the DMG he changed his answer to "I'm not ready to give the official answer, since this is part of my potential-errata analysis."

Source.

 

[abirdcall]

The 1 minute duration is a limitation to how long it will last. It doesn't mean that it magically gives you unlimited doses of the poison.

The items and other things in the PHB are written assuming we have a basic understanding of what the thing is. Just look at what a candle is.

 

[Athinar]

I think it lasts for one failed save within the one minute or 3 missiles that may or may not survive the missile being fired

but i could be wrong

from this I think it is each hit for one minute because it does not say otherwise in Monster Manual for a 12th Assassin

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

 

[Staffan]

The 1 minute duration is a limitation to how long it will last. It doesn't mean that it magically gives you unlimited doses of the poison.

The items and other things in the PHB are written assuming we have a basic understanding of what the thing is. Just look at what a candle is.

On the other hand, the "monster" Assassin deals poison damage on every attack, not just the first. So do most drow.

I mean, if you wanted to be all realistic about it most venomous monsters should probably have limited doses of their venoms. But in the game, they deliver poison damage with each and every bite (or sting or whatever).

 

[The Crimson Binome]

So, is the poison good for more than one hit? Or is it removed after a hit, even if the minute isn't up and it hasn't dried yet?

There is no reason whatsoever to suspect that it would stop working after the first hit.

 

[Athinar]

There is no reason whatsoever to suspect that it would stop working after the first hit.

The first hit could cause the poison to be removed off the blade by the force of the hit or removed by the weapon cutting throw clothe, fur or leather (Armor) or anything else that might clean the blade of any venom. The weapon is then no longer envenomed (or enough of the venom is removed to make it non-venomous)