No. Under the 2024 Dungeons & Dragons rules, ranged weapon attacks usually use Dexterity, but some weapons allow Strength instead or let you choose between Strength and Dexterity. The answer depends on the weapon’s properties and whether you’re throwing a melee weapon—not simply on whether the attack is ranged.
Ranged attack and ranged weapon are not the same thing
A ranged attack describes how an attack is made; it does not necessarily mean the weapon belongs to the ranged weapon category. A melee weapon with the Thrown property can be thrown to make a ranged attack and still follow the rules for that melee weapon.
The 2024 D&D Beyond Basic Rules equipment rules say that when you throw a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls that you would use for a melee attack with that weapon.
When can a ranged weapon attack use Strength?
Throwing a melee weapon
A thrown handaxe uses Strength, as it would for a melee attack. A thrown dagger has the Finesse property, so you can use either Strength or Dexterity. In both cases, the Thrown property preserves the modifier rules for the melee weapon; throwing it does not automatically make the attack Dexterity-based.
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Using a Finesse weapon
Finesse lets you choose Strength or Dexterity for both the attack and damage rolls, and you must use the same modifier for both. This is a choice provided by that property, not a general option for every ranged weapon or every thrown weapon.
The dart exception
The 2024 simple ranged weapons table lists the dart with both Finesse and Thrown. Because it has Finesse, a dart can use Strength or Dexterity for its attack and damage rolls. This is a useful reminder that a weapon’s category alone does not settle which ability modifier applies.
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What about bows, crossbows, and Heavy weapons?
Do not assume a bow or crossbow can use Strength because drawing or operating it seems physically demanding. Use the weapon’s listed properties and any specific feature that applies; ordinary bows and crossbows do not gain a Strength option just because they make ranged attacks.
The Heavy property can also cause confusion. Under the 2024 rules, a character with Dexterity below 13 has disadvantage when making an attack with a Heavy ranged weapon. That penalty does not replace Dexterity with Strength.
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A quick way to determine the modifier
- Check the weapon’s category and properties. Use the 2024 weapon table to see whether it is a melee or ranged weapon and whether it has Thrown or Finesse.
- If you are throwing a melee weapon, use the modifier you would use for a melee attack with it.
- If the weapon has Finesse, choose Strength or Dexterity for both the attack and damage rolls.
- Check any specific feature or item rule. An applicable rule may alter the general result; follow its exact wording.
The 2024 Basic Rules equipment section is the source for the weapon table and property definitions. The 2024 Player’s Handbook preview is also an optional reference for the applicable rules. These examples address the general weapon-property rules; unusual class features, magic items, and other specific effects may require checking their own text.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Edition matters
This explanation uses the 2024 rules. The official Wizards of the Coast Basic Rules PDF gives the same practical handaxe and dagger examples, but rules can differ between editions, and specific features or table rulings can change how an unusual attack works.
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