Ranged Combat Variant Rules

Instead of making attack rolls against an opponent’s armor like a sword wielding brute, an adventurer with an affinity for ranged combat should rely on their skill in order to strike down their opponent. These rules reflect this idea, and are intended to add some more depth to ranged combat in D&D 5th Edition. Though not intended for Bow and Crossbows, this ruleset may be used for them as well .

Targeting

In order to strike an opponent with an a ranged attack, the player must roll against a set number, hereon referred to as the Targeting DC. The Targeting DC for a Ranged weapon is determined by the wielder’s proficiency bonus, dexterity bonus, the target’s cover bonus, if any, and the target's size bonus.

Targeting DC = 20 – (Proficiency bonus + Dexterity Modifier) + Target Cover Bonus + Size Bonus

Likewise, the targeting DC for a spell is determined by the caster’s proficiency bonus, spellcasting attribute bonus (ie Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom), the target’s cover bonus, if any, and the target's size bonus.

Targeting DC (Spell) = 20 – (Proficiency bonus + Spellcasting Modifier) + Target Cover Bonus + Size Bonus

Cover

Target cover bonus works much the same as it does in the Player's Handbook, applying modifiers to the Targeting DC.

Half Cover provides a cover bonus of +2.

Three-quarters cover provides a target bonus of +5.

Full Cover provides total concealment

For example, a Level 3 gunslinger has proficiency bonus of +2 and a dexterity bonus of +4. This means that their base Targeting DC = 14. Their target is behind half cover, so the Targeting DC increases by 2 In order to hit their target, they need to roll a 16 or higher.

Size modifiers:

A creature’s size will also affect the targeting DC. As demonstrated in the table below, smaller creatures are easier to hit while larger ones are more difficult to hit

Size Modifier Tiny +5 Small +2 Medium 0 Large -2 Huge -5 Gargantuan -10

Combat

Ranged attacks disadvantage when the target creature is engaged in melee combat with another creature or within five feet of the player.

If the target is within 5 feet of the gunslinger, they can only use weapons with the Short Ranged Quality.

Ranged Combat Actions

These are intended for ranged weapons only, and firearms more specifically. Feel free to use them for Bows and crossbows.

Steady (Move): The player can choose to forgo their movement to steady their weapon. This provides a -2 to the Targeting DC.

Aim (Full round): The Player can spend a full round action aiming their firearm to impose a -5 to the Targeting DC.

Dodge

If the attack would be a hit, a player or creature being may use their reaction attempt an acrobatics (dodge) check to avoid being hit by a ranged attack. On a success, they take half damage from the attack.

In the case of ranged spell casters, the DC for this roll is determined by their spell save DC. For ranged weapon attacks, the DC is as follows:

Dodge DC = 8 + attacker’s Proficiency bonus + Attacker’s dexterity bonus