So I've recently converted to 5e after running my campaign world in AD&D 2.5 ruleset for 20 years.
One thing I'm trying to figure out is what happens when a player wants to pick up an item from a table vs. the ground. In my 2nd edition campaign, picking up an item off a table didn't cost anything, whereas picking up an item off the ground (esp a dropped weapon) cost a half move. I'm trying to find similar rules in 5e, but can't find any.
So, moving forward in 5e, I'm thinking about making these rulings:
1) Picking up an item from a table
Falls under the rules of Use an Object. Doesn't cost anything unless you want to pick up an item from a table AND use it in the same turn. Then that would cost an action.
2) Picking up an item from the ground
Costs 1/2 your speed. I like there to be a penalty for critical failures made by combatants. A natural 1 on an attack roll means a weapon is dropped. It shouldn't be so trivial to recover the weapon (it also makes disarming your opponent matter more).
I couldn't find these events discussed in the PHB, so if someone knows where the RAW ruling is on these events, I'd appreciate to know where.
Thanks.
Picking up most easily portable objects consumes your Interact with Object action and you only get one of those per turn. You cannot "convert" action types either; like Action -> Bonus Action or Move -> Interact with Object.
I'd call both cases Use an Object.
I think that if you play it the way you suggest, I'd be a halfling at your table 
Look up Other Activities On Your Turn in the PHB. It should be combat. It says something like:
Aside from the 1 action, 1 bonus action, and 1 reaction and movement up to their speed that all characters get, they can also do the following (without using an action, reaction, or movement):
Communicate freely.
Interact with a single object that doesn't require special care during either your move or action. There's a list of examples in a box called "Interacting with Objects Around You". Everything in this list, assuming you're only doing one of them on your turn, wouldn't require the use of your action.
Then it says if you want to interact with a 2nd object on your same turn, you'll need to use your action to do so.
So picking an item up from a table, or off of the ground, either one, would count toward your single free object interaction on your turn.
You can use movement to move to the object and use your 1 free object interaction during your move.
If you're already standing next to it, and you wanted to attack with it, you use your Attack action, and during your action, you use your 1 free object interaction to pick up the object as part of the attack.
Bloodscythe wrote:
Viddicus wrote:
jaelis wrote:
also consider the situation and allow enemies to get OA on targets recovering disarmed weapons, or call for an ability check if you feel it appropriate. my point is every situation is different so no one rule should apply.
strider13x wrote:
Viddicus wrote:
Disarm your foe, then use your free interaction to kick his weapon away!
ArialBlack wrote:
i agree with jaelis but it could grant an OA depending on the situation. in a white room scenerio probably not but what if you are surrounded by 8 goblins? what if the disarmed weapon was thrown 10' away and dangling off a ledge? why wouldn't the disarmer use their 'free' action to pick up the weapon themselves? each scene should be judged as the individual scenerio it is. be a judge, make it interesting, and be fair to both the players and monsters!
ArialBlack wrote:
jaelis wrote:
jaelis wrote:
Viddicus wrote:
I could justify it taking half of your movement in sme situations, since that's what it takes to stand up from a prone position. The ground's down there a ways and grabbing something from it isn't always gonna be easily done.
ArialBlack wrote:
of course its legit. hopefully the player declares their full intent during their turn and dont simply say "I try to disarm them" (boring as I swing my sword, yawn). the player should be like "I wrest the blade from their hands and throw it as far as I can before putting my axe to thier throat!" now the DM has something to build on! if you succeed then the target can react by carefully ducking behind the table in the middle of the room so as to postion themselves to pick up their flung weapon (um... i disengage then use my free object interaction to blah blah blah, yawn). or if you fail they have to good a grasp and in the struggle shove you to the ground instead! (attack/push option) describe your full actions rather than declare which rule you are using and d&d is way more fun! roleplay v rollplay is a common term for a reason...
Disarming an opponend allows another party member to grab the weapon, perhaps using mage hand. It also allows the use of spells like heat metal with no save (the dropped weapon is no longer held). As an off the wall idea, another party member could use their mage hand to pour contact poison over the dropped weapon.
Technically you don't deny them their OA, do you? They just have to use their fists/legs/elbows/knees, right? (1 point of damage if not a monk)
Kahless wrote: