D&D 5E Portable Ram as a weapon

[Gabriel Pendragon]

So i had this idea for a hulking beat stick that beats enemies with a portable ram. However I have found no rules covering exactly how this weapon would work in combat. Obviously it would be improvised but beyond that I have no idea on traits, special propterties or damage profile or anything else like that.

 

[iserith]

I would treat it as an improvised weapon that does 1d10 bludgeoning damage and has the Heavy and Two-Handed properties.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

I'd do about the same as Iserith would. Only thing I might do different is have the ram do even less damage (1d8, like a greatclub, or 2d4 because it's a "large-size" improvised weapon)

 

[Gabriel Pendragon]

I would prefer 2d4 over a d10...2-8 vs 1-10 specially with great weapon master factored in i'd go for the 2d4 personally.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I'd treat it as an improvised Greatclub (Big, heavy lump of wood, not designed for use as a weapon.) Spend a bit extra on it on you could probably get one made with the handles required to be used effectively as a weapon, and so not have the improvised quality. Spend a bit more to get the entire thing metal-shod and it could count as a Maul.

 

[Will Doyle]

So i had this idea for a hulking beat stick that beats enemies with a portable ram. However I have found no rules covering exactly how this weapon would work in combat. Obviously it would be improvised but beyond that I have no idea on traits, special propterties or damage profile or anything else like that.

In my home games, I prefer to go easy with characterful ideas like that. I'd count it as a greatclub and let the wielder use his proficiency bonus. I'd probably grant double damage against objects with a damage threshold, too.

For what it's worth, in my old 3e group our half-orc barbarian did the same. His ram was shod with metal, engraved with the image of his own snarling face. I think we just counted it as a hammer (we ruled he was big enough to strap it on one arm). He even had it enchanted so it could cast shatter 3/day. He had that character for years!

 

[Gabriel Pendragon]

The organized said it would vary from table to table, as the stated improvised weapon rules are d4, but that he would rule it as a greatclub at d8 two handed improvised.

 

[Eis]

the thing is....you can spend an action to Dodge Ram....

I'll show myself out

 

[Dausuul]

I'd treat it as a really heavy maul, with a Strength requirement. Strength 12 or less, you can't wield it at all; 13-16, you have disadvantage; 17+, you can wield it normally. Presumably the character in question has a 17+ Strength, so he'll be fine, but most other people won't be able to use his weapon.

 

[Gabriel Pendragon]

With assistance that is exactly what the ram does innately.