D&D 5E Darts - Originally melee, or ranged originally strength?

[Yunru]

Have a look at a 5e weapon table.
Notice anything strange about the Dart?

Well asides from being the only thrown weapon in the ranged weapon table other than the net, it has finesse.
But wait, all ranged weapons use dexterity anyway, and finesse isn't worded right to let you use strength.

So, did ranged weapons use strength, or was it a melee weapon?


The probable answer is that it was intended to be listed as a melee weapon that you simply can't use in melee, but then was changed last minute because that's confusing, but eh. *shrug*

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Doesn't the Finesse trait allow darts to use Strength, as opposed to the normal Dexterity for range weapons?

Granted, we're used to seeing Finesse on weapons that use Strength, where it allows us to choose Dexterity or Strength (and typically, folks choose Dexterity).

Finesse.
When making an attack with a finesse weapon, you use
your choice of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls.
You must use the same modifier for both rolls.

 

[Oofta]

Wait, people actually use darts?

I don't see any conflict. Darts can't be used as a melee weapon, so they aren't classified as "thrown". Thrown means (for purpose of the rules) that they can be either melee or ranged. You can't normally stab someone with a dart.

Finesse just overrides the general rule. When attacking with a dart you can use strength or dexterity.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

...so they aren't classified as "thrown". Thrown means (for purpose of the rules) that they can be either melee or ranged.

That's not completely accurate.

Darts are classified as thrown (they have the thrown property).

And the thrown property means "If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack." (Though yes, it does also have an extra bit of meaning in the specific case of being assigned to a melee weapon).

The reason why darts have the thrown property is because otherwise they'd have the ammunition property (which would make no sense), or no property at all (which might unintentionally exclude them from benefiting from any features meant to provide special benefits, and would at least change the text needed to cover all weapons hurled at a foe from "thrown weapons" to "ranged attacks made with weapons that do not have the ammunition property" or some other convoluted phrasing).

 

[jaelis]

I would say that if darts didn't have thrown, then you would be able to make a ranged attack with a dart while keeping it in your hand. Which wouldn't be reasonable.

(And as noted finesse means they work with Str.)

 

[Oofta]

That's not completely accurate.

Darts are classified as thrown (they have the thrown property).

And the thrown property means "If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack." (Though yes, it does also have an extra bit of meaning in the specific case of being assigned to a melee weapon).

The reason why darts have the thrown property is because otherwise they'd have the ammunition property (which would make no sense), or no property at all (which might unintentionally exclude them from benefiting from any features meant to provide special benefits, and would at least change the text needed to cover all weapons hurled at a foe from "thrown weapons" to "ranged attacks made with weapons that do not have the ammunition property" or some other convoluted phrasing).

Sorry, misspoke.

Darts are not under melee weapons category because you can't effectively use them to stab someone. They're versatile because you can use strength or dex.

Still no conflict.

 

[CydKnight]

I have seen the PHB "dart" called a throwing knife. I don't see why it couldn't be used in melee.

 

[Yunru]

Edit: Completely wrong thread. Silly me.

 

[Hriston]

I have seen the PHB "dart" called a throwing knife. I don't see why it couldn't be used in melee.

It can, as an improvised weapon.

 

[Warmaster Horus]

Wait, people actually use darts?
...

Darts are a great concealable ranged weapon.

9th level Assassin walks toward guard at door while Disguised as another guard. At ten feet they throw two darts hidden in their palms (Sleight of Hand), surprising the guard, that does 10d6 Sneak Attack + 4d4 Weapon Damage + 10 (Dex) + 20 (Sneak Attack).