Action Weapon (5e Variant Rule)

Weapon Action Rule

Weapon Actions are a type of Action granted to a character based on the type of weapon they are wielding. For example, bladed weapons such as Longswords will typically grant the Lacerate weapon action.

These actions are only usable once per Short Rest and are special in some way, normally able to do bonus damage, hit multiple targets, debilitate foes, or move the character.

In order to gain access to the Weapon Actions from a weapon, a creature must have Proficiency in that weapon type and have it equipped in the main hand or both hands (off-hand weapons do not grant Weapon Actions).

The Difficulty Class (or DC) for Saving Throws against Weapon Actions is 8 + your strength or dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus. It uses the highest strength or dexterity modifier regardless of the ability modifier used for the weapon.

General Weapon Actions

Melee Weapons

Weapon Action	Associated Weapons	Cost	Effect	Bonus DC	Damage
Backbreaker	Warhammers Mauls	Action	Prone	Strength	1d4 + Strength Modifier Bludgeoning
Brace (Melee)	Glaives Pikes	All of your movement	'Advantage' on damage rolls for this turn	-	-
Cleave	Battleaxes Greataxes Halberds Greatswords	Action	Strike 3 targets 5 ft cone	-	Halved weapon damage
Concussive Smash	Morningstars Bludgeoning weapons except Quarterstaves: Clubs Light Hammers Maces Warhammers Greatclubs Mauls	Action	Dazed	Constitution	Weapon damage
Crippling Strike	War Picks Battleaxes	Action	Crippled	Constitution	1d4 + Strength Modifier Slashing
Disarming Strike	Tridents	Action	Target drops Weapon	Strength	1d4 + Strength Modifier Piercing
Flourish	All martial weapons with Finesse: Scimitars Shortswords Rapiers	bonus action	Off Balance	Dexterity	None
Heartstopper	Morningstars	Action	Chest Trauma	Constitution	1d4 + Strength Modifier Bludgeoning
Lacerate	All Slashing weapons: Handaxes Sickles Scimitars Battleaxes Longswords Glaives Greataxes Greatswords Halberds	Action	Bleeding	Constitution	Weapon damage
Piercing Strike	Rapiers Shortswords Tridents PikesJavelins	Action	Gaping Wounds	Constitution	Weapon damage
Pommel Strike	Longswords Greatswords	bonus action	Dazed	Constitution	1d4 + Strength Modifier Slashing
Prepare	Greataxes	All of your movement	Extra damage on melee attacks this turn	-	Strength Modifier Slashing
Rush Attack	Longswords All polearms except Quarterstaves: Spears Tridents Glaives Halberds Pikes	Action	Charge 30 ft Off Balance	Strength	1d4 + Strength Modifier Inherits weapon damage type
Tenacity	Morningstars Greatclubs Mauls	Reaction	Inflict damage on a miss	-	Strength Modifier Bludgeoning
Topple	Quarterstaves	Action	Prone	Dexterity	None
Weakening Strike	Rapiers War Picks Warhammers	Action	Weak Grip	Strength	1d4 + Strength Modifier Inherits weapon damage type

Ranged Weapons

Weapon Action	Associated Weapons	Cost	Effect	Saving Throw	Damage
Brace (Ranged)	Longbows	All movement	'Advantage' on damage rolls for this turn	-	-
Hamstring Shot	Shortbows Longbows	Action	Hamstrung	Constitution	Weapon damage
Mobile Shot	Hand Crossbows	Bonus Action	Weapon attack as a bonus action Prerequisite: Dashed or Disengaged this turn	-	Weapon damage
Piercing Shot	All crossbows: Light Crossbows Hand Crossbows Heavy Crossbows	Action	Gaping Wounds	Constitution	1d8 + Dexterity Modifier Piercing

Conditions Inflicted by Weapon Actions

Condition	Inflicted by (and Saving Throw)	Saving Throw Disadvantage	Additional Effects	Removed By
Off Balance	Rush Attack (STR) Flourish (DEX)	Strength Dexterity	Advantage to attackers	Taking damage Ally Help
Weak Grip	Weakening Strike (STR)	Strength Dexterity	Disadvantage on attacks	Ally Help
Crippled	Crippling Strike (CON)	Dexterity	Movement Speed reduced to 0	Healing
Chest Trauma	Heartstopper (CON)	Constitution	One less Action until the end of affected creature's turn	Healing
Bleeding	Lacerate (CON)	Constitution	Inflicts 1d4 Slashing at the start of the turn for 2 turns	Healing
Dazed	Concussive Smash (CON) Pommel Strike (CON)	Wisdom	Can't take reactions, loses Dexterity bonus to Armour Class	Ally Help
Gaping Wounds	Piercing Shot (CON) Piercing Strike (CON)	-	Receive additional 1d4 Piercing damage from attacks until end of affected creature's turn	Healing
Hamstrung	Hamstring Shot (CON)	-	Movement Speed halved	Healing

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