Drawing a Weapon while Moving

From The Authentic D&D Wiki
Revision as of 21:10, 8 February 2025 by Tao alexis (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigationJump to search

Drawing a weapon while moving is a tactic that can be employed during combat. When at least two action points (AP) are being expended for the purpose of moving forward, and therefore not otherwise using the upper body, a combatant may draw any light one-handed weapon without incurring an action point penalty. This allows for a seamless transition between movement and engagement, ensuring that the combatant can ready their weapon without sacrificing efficiency in battle. However, this technique does not apply to larger or heavier weapons, which require more deliberate effort to unsheathe or ready for combat.


While moving forward, either at normal pace or at a run, a combatant may draw any one handed weapon that weighs 5 lbs. or less without this action costing additional action points (AP). This will enable a combatant to move forward and hurl a weapon or attack in melee after drawing, so long as the usual 2 AP cost is spent in attacking.

Thus, a combatant with four AP without a weapon in hand would be able to move two hexes forward at normal pace, drawing a dagger, hand axe or similar small weapon while moving, then throw said weapon or attack with it, while not moving forward beyond the first two hexes. In effect, this should be considered moving, drawing and throwing all simultaneously (while moving fairly slowly) or moving forward, drawing and then stopping to attack once moving into melee range.

There are other actions that can be taken while moving, such as calling out to comrades, threatening an enemy, dropping an item, dismissing a spell, etc. The DM and players should agree upon what actions not included here that might be proposed that could also fit this category (with the expectation that they will be duly recorded in future).