Ranged fight timing

Timing in general is described in the chapter Fight timing .

Your speed when shooting (or throwing) determines your order in combat.

Shooting actions

When shooting or throwing you have 2 actions available (this applies to any other activity as well).

If you must defend while shooting, follow the rules for the secondary action .

Loading and drawing a weapon

Loading a bow or crossbow takes several actions (see the following table or the Table of ranged weapons at the end of the Rules). Drawing a throwing weapon depends on where it is kept, usually it takes 1 action. During this time you prepare the weapon to fire. If you actively defend, you must start loading from the beginning.

You can also load using only bonus actions.

Speed when aimed

If you have your weapon ready and aimed, you have a +5 bonus to speed. This is very practical with crossbows, where you wait and are still ready; this advantage does not apply to throwing weapons.