D&D (2024) Druids, Muskets, True Strike and Shillelagh

[Kobold Avenger]

So Druids can most definitely use Muskets if they go for the Warden Primal Order. And while they don't have True Strike on their spell list they could probably get that easily enough with the right feat or species choice, so it'll make sense that a Druid with a Musket would probably use True Strike if they weren't going to invest so much into Dex.

But then I came to the realization, that if the Druid with a Musket gets into melee, they should just use Shillelagh when wielding the Musket like a club. I know technically the spell doesn't cover Muskets wielded as melee weapons, only Quarterstaffs and Clubs. But I feel they should, if trying to club someone with the stock on the Musket.

But I think I'd also rule that you can't shoot with that Musket if it's being used with Shillelagh.

Anyone else have thoughts on these?

 

[Horwath]

just add a blade and make it a bayonet, d8 piercing damage, 2Handed use.

 

[Sorinth]

Couldn't you just continue to use True Strike for the melee club-like attacks?

 

[Stormonu]

If the DM let you use Shillelagh on the musket, I would think it would only be effective when you're using as a club. Wouldn't affect shooting with it.

Though now I'm thinking about a Musket/Heat Metal combo - shoot the target and heat up the bullet stuck in them....

 

[Kobold Stew]

if the Druid with a Musket gets into melee, they should just use Shillelagh when wielding the Musket like a club. I know technically the spell doesn't cover Muskets wielded as melee weapons, only Quarterstaffs and Clubs. But I feel they should, if trying to club someone with the stock on the Musket.

The Shillelagh spell has a number of restrictions. It doesn't work with a Greatclub, for instance. Given that, I would not allow it to be used with improvised weapons at all (which is what the butt-of-musket use is).

Does musket-as-club even get a proficiency bonus? I'm not even sure -- possibly once, but not as a regular thing. I would not let a player regularly use Shillelagh with a musket for (proficient) clubbing.

But I think I'd also rule that you can't shoot with that Musket if it's being used with Shillelagh.

Absolutely not - not even a question.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

If the DM let you use Shillelagh on the musket, I would think it would only be effective when you're using as a club. Wouldn't affect shooting with it.

Though now I'm thinking about a Musket/Heat Metal combo - shoot the target and heat up the bullet stuck in them....

I like that. I think the bit about having to see the ball to cast the spell means that you would have to cast it, drop it in the musket, and quick point it in the target (no need to pull the trigger, the hot ball would trigger the gunpowder). Since you aren't pulling the trigger, you aren't really using an attack action, but I am not sure that drop and point fits the action economy. If it works though, the hot ball in the guts would be pretty neat.

 

[mellored]

I like that. I think the bit about having to see the ball to cast the spell means that you would have to cast it, drop it in the musket, and quick point it in the target (no need to pull the trigger, the hot ball would trigger the gunpowder). Since you aren't pulling the trigger, you aren't really using an attack action, but I am not sure that drop and point fits the action economy. If it works though, the hot ball in the guts would be pretty neat.

Pulling the trigger isn't the part that takes time.
Aiming takes time (and reloading)

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Pulling the trigger isn't the part that takes time.
Aiming takes time (and reloading)

It is one thing if you are trying to shoot a goblin, but how much aiming do you need to do for a hill giant or an ogre? I won't claim any expertise on firearm action economy, though, as it rarely comes up in my games.

 

[mellored]

It is one thing if you are trying to shoot a goblin, but how much aiming do you need to do for a hill giant or an ogre? I won't claim any expertise on firearm action economy, though, as it rarely comes up in my games.

Goblins have 15 AC
Ogres have 11AC

Still need to aim, but not as accurately.

 

[Stormonu]

The Shillelagh spell has a number of restrictions. It doesn't work with a Greatclub, for instance. Given that, I would not allow it to be used with improvised weapons at all (which is what the butt-of-musket use is).

Does musket-as-club even get a proficiency bonus? I'm not even sure -- possibly once, but not as a regular thing. I would not let a player regularly use Shillelagh with a musket for (proficient) clubbing.

Many muskets from that time were purposely-built to be used as clubs after firing, but they tended to be shod or reinforced with metal to withstand being used thus. I'd be likely to consider it a masterwork level of quality myself.