D&D 5e Ranges: Normal vs. Long Range Explained
D&D 5e weapon and spell range rules. Normal range, long range, disadvantage, and tactical range considerations.
D&D 5e Ranges: Normal vs. Long Range Explained
Ranges matter in 5e combat. Stay in range or suffer penalties.
Weapon Ranges
Listed as Normal / Long (e.g., "80/320").
- Within normal range: Roll normally.
- Beyond normal, within long range: Disadvantage on attack.
- Beyond long range: Can't attack.
Common Weapon Ranges
- Longbow: 150/600 ft.
- Shortbow: 80/320 ft.
- Heavy Crossbow: 100/400 ft.
- Hand Crossbow: 30/120 ft.
- Light Crossbow: 80/320 ft.
- Dagger (thrown): 20/60 ft.
- Javelin: 30/120 ft.
- Handaxe: 20/60 ft.
Spell Ranges
Usually fixed (e.g., 60 ft, 120 ft, Self, Touch, 1 mile).
- Within range: Cast normally.
- Beyond range: Can't cast.
No "long range" penalty for spells.
Common Spell Ranges
- Fire Bolt: 120 ft.
- Eldritch Blast: 120 ft.
- Fireball: 150 ft (range to point).
- Healing Word: 60 ft.
- Cure Wounds: Touch.
- Fly: Touch.
- Counterspell: 60 ft.
Thrown vs. Ranged
Some melee weapons have "thrown" range:
- Dagger: 20/60 thrown.
- Handaxe: 20/60.
- Javelin: 30/120.
Throw once per attack. Use Str unless finesse.
Long Range Disadvantage
Disadvantage roughly equals -5 on attack. Significant.
Avoid fighting at long range unless:
- You have Sharpshooter (no long range penalty).
- The target is the squishy caster you must reach.
- No other option.
Sharpshooter
Negates long range disadvantage. Plus -5 to hit, +10 damage trade.
Best ranger/archer feat.
Close-Quarters
Ranged attacks in melee (within 5 ft of hostile): disadvantage.
- Crossbow Expert feat negates this.
- Otherwise, avoid shooting while adjacent.
Melee Reach
- Standard melee: 5 ft.
- Reach weapons (pike, halberd, glaive, whip): 10 ft.
Polearm Master threatens entering enemies at 10 ft.
Spell Line of Sight
Most spells require seeing the target. Walls, magical darkness, invisibility can block.
In The Endlessness
Our AI Dungeon Master calculates ranges: weapon normal/long, spell range, cover, line of sight.
For related reads, our cover and line of sight guide, combat rules, and best weapons cover more.
Final Takeaway
Know your weapons and spells' ranges. Stay in range. Take Sharpshooter for ranged builds.
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