Equipment

Weapons are used to make attacks. See the rules for attacking.

Use the Interact action to draw or stow a weapon. You can also draw or stow a weapon for free before or after each weapon attack you make on your turn.

When a non-weapon is used as a weapon—or when an actual weapon is used in the wrong way—it is considered an improvised weapon. An improvised weapon can be anything: broken glass, a table leg, a frying pan, or even a small creature.

Many objects are similar to actual weapons and can be treated as such. For example, a table leg might function as a club. At the DM's discretion, you can use an object as if it were the weapon it resembles. The object doesn't count as an improvised weapon when used in this way.

Improvised weapons are neither simple nor martial weapons, and they are almost always melee weapons. An improvised weapon deals 1d4 damage of an appropriate damage type on a hit. The DM may ascribe properties to the improvised weapon, such as thrown (usually 20/60 ft.) or finesse, as seems fitting.

Several entries in the weapons table have the unarmed property. Attacks with them are called "unarmed attacks" and form a subset of weapon attacks.

Armor and shields protect you from attacks.

Armor is worn over the body. While wearing armor, your base AC is calculated according to the armor's AC value, which might include your Dexterity score. While wearing armor that you lack proficiency with, you have disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity checks, saving throws, and attack rolls, and you can't cast spells.

Shields require one hand to wield. While wielding a shield you're proficient with, your AC increases by the shield's AC bonus. You can't benefit from more than one shield at a time.

The time it takes to don or doff armor depends on the armor's category.

Don. This is the time it takes to put on armor. You benefit from the armor's AC only if you fully don the armor.

Doff. This is the time it takes to take off armor. If you have help, reduce this time by half.

Tools are used to accomplish particular tasks, such as crafting an arrow, finding your way, or making music. If you use a tool as part of an ability check, you can replace your skill proficiency (if any) with your tool proficiency when determining your bonus to the check. You may also be able to add your proficiency with a tool to checks related to your tool, such as adding your proficiency with carpenter's tools to a check instead of Investigation when determining whether a wooden bridge is structurally sound.

Other potentially useful items. Some items have useful effects when activated with the Use action, and some items have special effects when used as an improvised weapon. Such effects are given in the item description.

The starting equipment you get from your class includes a collection of useful items, put together in a pack. The contents of these packs are listed here. If you are buying your starting equipment, you can purchase a pack for the price shown, which might be cheaper than buying the items individually.

Includes a backpack, a bag of 1,000 ball bearings, 10 feet of string, a bell, 5 candles, a crowbar, a hammer, 10 pitons, a hooded lantern, 2 flasks of oil, 5 days rations, a tinderbox, and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet of hempen rope strapped to the side of it.

Includes a chest, 2 cases for maps and scrolls, a set of fine clothes, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, a lamp, 2 flasks of oil, 5 sheets of paper, a vial of perfume, sealing wax, and soap.

Includes a backpack, a crowbar, a hammer, 10 pitons, 10 torches, a tinderbox, 10 days of rations, and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet of hempen rope strapped to the side of it.

Includes a backpack, a bedroll, 2 costumes, 5 candles, 5 days of rations, a waterskin, and a disguise kit.

Includes a backpack, a bedroll, a mess kit, a tinderbox, 10 torches, 10 days of rations, and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet of hempen rope strapped to the side of it.

Includes a backpack, a blanket, 10 candles, a tinderbox, an alms box, 2 blocks of incense, a censer, vestments, 2 days of rations, and a waterskin.

Includes a backpack, a book of lore, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, 10 sheets of parchment, a little bag of sand, and a small knife.