Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lkwpeter Mar 22, 2015 6:25:08	Hey there,   as our group ran across the problem according disarming a foe that could easily pickup his weapon as a free action on his next turn, I hope that you could help us.   I want to mention that I already found the following thread, but maybe due to language problems or the fact, that the discussion seems to get out of hand, it didn't help much: http://community.wizards.com/forum/player-help/threads/4172346.     Example:   Think about a character that disarms a foe. On his next turn the foe wants to pickup his weapon again.   Now it seems that several things need to be taken into account:   The actions in the green box on pg. 190 *can* be free actions (in tandem with movement or action), but there are *not always* free. Under "Other Ativity on your Turn" (pg. 190) it is written that the DM can determine that (amoing other things) these actions require the "Use an Object"-action (if these activities need special care or when it presents an unusual obstacle). Furthermore the DM could rule the try of picking up a weapon to fit the requirements for an opportunity attack. Or ask for an ability check. If I get it right, It won't be possible for the disarming character to pick the wepaon up from the ground itself, because the weapon lands on the field of the foe. And you can only pick things up that are on your own field. The range you cover with your weapon is irrelevant.   I would be really glad for answers!   Kind regards,   Peter
#2 iserith Mar 22, 2015 6:53:50	Everything you said from 1 to 4 sounds fine. With 5, that's a situational call and isn't necessarily always so. It's really important to pay attention ot the unfolding fiction of the situation, telegraph any threats or opportunity costs for doing a thing so players can make decisions accordingly, and make fair judgment calls when they do.
#3 jaelis Mar 22, 2015 7:30:52	The rules don't say much about it. But be wary of making disarm too powerful.
#4 OnlyNerdStuff Mar 22, 2015 10:29:22	If you're using the battlemaster's Disarming Attack maneuver then you should also have access to a couple of other helpful maneuvers as well.  If you're willing to expend a solid chunk of resources, and are 5th level or above, you could conceivably take the Attack action and: 1) on the first attack to use a Disarming Attack to knock the weapon to the foe's feet (expending a superiority die) 2) on the second attack use a Menacing Attack to inflict the Frightened condition on the foe (expending another superiority die) 3) use your Action Surge to make another Attack action 4) use the third attack to Shove the foe 5' away from you. Frightened, they will be unable to approach until your next turn 5) optionally, on the third attack use the Pushing Attack maneuver to shove the foe up to 15' away   This leaves a 4th attack to possibly pick up the foe's weapon (if it's denied as a legitimate use of an attack, claim that you're 'grappling the wepon'), or repeat a step that may have failed in the chain and consumes between 2 and 4 of your superiority dice.   If, instead, you're using the Disarm option from p 271 of the DMG and either don't have or don't wish to use battlemaster maneuvers, you can try the following even at 2nd level of fighter or 5th of another class with Extra Attack:   1) on the first attack disarm, knocking the weapon to the foe's feet 2) on the second attack (via Action Surge if required) Shove the opponent back 5' 3) step forward 5' into the square previously occupied by the foe and now occupied by its weapon.   If your DM still allows the foe to retrieve a weapon from your square, perhaps even behind you now, then you've wasted a turn and a lot of effort for zero payoff and disarm appears to be completely unfeasible.   Note that with the exception of the Pike and the Heavy Crossbow, a Mage Hand can move any weapon on the table from PHB 149.  An EK using an Action Surge or any ally with the spell could carry the foe's weapon up to 30' away after a successful disarm.
#5 Barimen Mar 22, 2015 11:23:45	Aren't some people trying to make this more complicated than necessary? One example in the book of free environmental interaction is "pick up a dropped axe". If my DM decided that the presence of the recently-disarmed opponent meant that it needed "special care" or presented "an unusual obstacle", then I would ask about just kicking it away instead. If he ruled that picking it up would provoke an opportunity attack, which I would find odd since generally that only happens when moving away from a threat, I wouldn't worry about it much, since the opponent would be sans weapon.
#6 Illithidbix Mar 22, 2015 15:31:56	Yep, from my reading of the rules, there is nothing stopping a disarmed target from just picking up their weapon. Personally I would find imposing opportunity attacks or ability checks a little odd. And be rather worried of making disarming a "go to move" in every fight.   However disarming an opponent, then shoving them backwards could prove quite effective use of multiple attacks and the sort of badass thing I might expect from a fighter.   Similarly in a game I was running; if a player disarmed an opponent and then demanded they backdown/surrender, I'd consider that to be a pretty convincing display of strength to end a fight against a opponent they outclass, avoiding potential awkward violence. ... but I consider such encounters where the players outclass their foes, but there are consequences to how they handle it to be different to one that's designed to be a challenging combat against dangerous opponents, they are social/moral challenges disguised behind combat.
#7 Coredump00 Mar 22, 2015 17:38:18	lkwpeter wrote:
#8 lkwpeter Mar 22, 2015 23:20:48	Coredump00 wrote:
(Reply to #8) Macv12	lkwpeter wrote:
#10 iserith Mar 23, 2015 6:18:28	lkwpeter wrote:
#11 Cooperjera Mar 23, 2015 10:29:17	I was playing with the fighter disarm mechanic in an encounter by giving it to an NPC.  This particular NPC was attempting to disarm a 6th lvl Path of the Blade warlock PC.  The players interpretation of the rules is that the warlock can summon its magical weapon back to its hand as an action if it were disarmed.  The rules around Pact of the Blade and their magic weapons is written vague enough that it could be interpreted as the player had, but it also  could be interpreted as once the weapon is not in your possession you cannot summon it unless it has been dismissed.  Dismissing the weapon is not detailed enough to determine if you must control the weapon to dismiss it or not.  During the encounter the character never was disarmed and therefore I did not have to make a ruling, but if you had a Pact of the Blade warlock disarmed at your table what would you rule as possible?
#12 Coredump00 Mar 23, 2015 13:55:25	Assuming it is the 'regular' pact blade, and not a magic weapon.  Then the rules state it disappears if you use the Pact Blade feature again.  Which would have to mean you could do it again while the first blade was still in existence. So if its disarmed..... just summon another and the first one disappears.  Of course, that takes your action for the turn.   Not sure how I would rule if it was a magic sword you turned into your pact blade.
#13 DemoMonkey Mar 23, 2015 18:14:34	Require the creature picking up the weapon to use the "Use an Object" action rather than a free action. This is a DM judgement call, but well within RAW.   In a two man duel, it's relatively pointless unless at least one of the combatants has multiple attacks. In a typical group on group - or group against a single tough enemy- in can be a useful tactic.
#14 InchLabel May 28, 2015 17:16:02	How about a (house) rule such as:   Picking up an object such as a dropped weapon in tandem with your movement or action can provoke an opportunity attack from a hostile creature whose reach includes the object.  You can use the Disengage or Use an Object actions to pick up an object without provoking opportunity attacks.   ?