D&D 5E Sneak Attack with a handaxe?

[Plaguescarred]

From p. 45 of D&D Basic Rules v1.0

Handaxe 5 gp 1d6 slashing 2 lb. Light, thrown (range 20/60)

It's got a range listing (and so do javelins, tridents, and spears) so it counts for me IF it's being used as a range weapon.

While it was the case in 4E, the thrown property doesn't state that anymore in 5E.

Name Cost Damage Weight Properties
Simple Melee Weapons
Handaxe 5 gp 1d6 slashing 2 lb. Light, thrown (range 20/60)

The thrown property even further specify that if its a melee weapon you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use for a melee attack with the weapon.

 

[Charles Wright]

4E doesn't even enter into it for me. I didn't play it, so it has no bearing on how I would rule it at my table.

Sneak attack requires a finesse OR a ranged weapon. A thrown hand-axe acts as a ranged weapon no matter what stat is used to modify the roll.

If it said finesse AND ranged, I would agree with you. But it clearly doesn't.

 

[Shiroiken]

Plague is correct. The Hand Axe is a Melee Weapon with the Thrown Property. Ranged Weapons (as a weapon type) are weapons that are designed only to be used at range. The Thrown Property does not grant the Ranged Weapon type, but does allow it to be used as a Ranged Attack. Since Rogue specifies Ranged Weapons, Hand Axe does not qualify.

 

[GX.Sigma]

A handaxe is not a ranged weapon. There is no ambiguity.

"Weapons," p.44:

Every weapon is classified as either melee or ranged.

The handaxe is under Melee, not Ranged.

"Thrown," p.46:

If a weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weapon is a melee weapon...for example...a handaxe..."

The handaxe is a melee weapon that can be used to make ranged attacks.

 

[Actoba]

The starter set specifies the conditions for sneak attack as "When you hit a creature with a Dexterity based attack....." so I imagine that although the basic rules phrase the requirement differently I would say the intent is still the same....so Handaxe doesnt qualify for sneak attack.

 

[Plaguescarred]

The starter set specifies the conditions for sneak attack as "When you hit a creature with a Dexterity based attack....."

So even if the handaxe was considered a ranged weapon (which is not), the handaxe would still not qualify because it use STR for ranged attacks

Thrown: If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use for a melee attack with the weapon.

 

[Umbran]

So even if the handaxe was considered a ranged weapon (which is not), the handaxe would still not qualify because it use STR for ranged attacks

Thrown: If the weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use for a melee attack with the weapon.

But...

"For attacks with ranged weapons, use your Dexterity
modifier for attack and damage rolls. A weapon that
has the thrown property, such as a handaxe, can use
your Strength modifier instead."
-Basic, Page 9

That is *can* use, not *must* use.

This is at odds with the definition of the Thrown property, on page 46.

"Thrown. If a weapon has the thrown property, you
can throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the
weapon is a melee weapon, you use the same ability
modifier for that attack roll and damage roll that you
would use for a melee attack with the weapon. For
example, if you throw a handaxe, you use your Strength,
but if you throw a dagger, you can use either your
Strength or your"

So, the rules are not actually entirely consistent on the matter.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I think its an old statement that doesn't sync anymore with the revised Thrown property.

 

[CM]

non-sex rogues are fun to play.

Doesn't sound like much fun to me...

 

[Kobold Stew]

Doesn't sound like much fun to me...

ha! autocorrect reveals hidden truths.