The unbreakable Arrow costs 100 gold in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. They’re impenetrable to breakage and enable imaginative problem-solving. According to RAW, there is no explicit concern for Ammunition recovery in Unbreakable Arrow (XGtE, page 133/139). Breakage of ammunition appears to be baked into the recovery of ammunition after combat, and an indestructible arrow would improve the recovery rate; but, RAW is RAW. They can be used in a variety of creative exploration applications because they are not breakable in the absence of an antimagic area. Consider the following example:
- by firing them at a solid wall to create an arrow-shaped stairwell
- obstructing the mechanism’s gears (e.g., the complex trap)
- An improvised set of picks for use while climbing.
- You’re caught between two crushing walls? Unbreakable arrows can save you from being killed by such walls.
The Unbreakable Arrow 5e is a popular magic item
This item is described in the Xanathar’s Guide to Everything’s “Common Magic Items” section, which states (XGtE page 136 (underlined mine):
The 5e unbreakable Arrow must be fixed because breaking isn’t the only issue with recovering. Whether it’s a niche or not, the goal is the same. Its utility is limited. That is most likely why it is so popular. It’s also the reason why it can’t be broken, for whatever reason.
The Dungeon Master’s Guide
Many magical artifacts of various kinds are included in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. There is one exception: common things, of which this book only contains a few. The typical magic objects provided are meant to add flavor and opportunity to play your game, not to provide functionality. They almost never boost a character’s strength. They can, however, entertain gamers and provide an enjoyable opportunity to play a role. This section delves deeper into the game’s context.
The following information on wasted ammunition can be found in this section on ammunition:
When the combat is over, you can return half of the ammunition you’ve used by going through the battlefield in a few of minutes.
The problem with recovering ammunition isn’t only that it breaks and becomes unavailable. Breakage of ammo looks to be a part of ammunition recovery after a battle, and an indestructible arrow could boost the recovery rate in some way.
An archer has occasionally lost a few arrows during target practice merely because you can shoot the target. I was quite aware of the spot where I shot. Not hitting it and then burying it in medium-high grass where I wouldn’t be able to find it. I combed the grass but couldn’t find any arrows (RealLife Expertise may not completely transfer over).
Fighting is the same way, and the broken thing is sometimes not discovered until later. As a result, there’s no need to give an unbreakable archer a better probability of retrieval.
Aside from being used for Ammunition, arrows with no breakability can be used for:
- Please put it to good use as a light pry bar.
- Ice-pick.
- To make a ladder, join two ropes together (use for ladder steps).
- To make a quieter (aka wood) climbing hook, use 3-4 hooks.
- It can be used as a throw-stick for your pet wolf (it won’t be eaten).
In D&D 5e, what are arrows?
Ammunition: You can only use a weapon with Ammunition to make a ranged attack if you can shoot from a 5e weapon. Each time you use your weapon to attack, you will use one piece of Ammunition. The attack includes injecting ammunition from a quiver, case, or another container. By searching the battlefield for a few minutes after the combat, you can recover half of the Ammunition you’ve used. It has a weight of 0.05 pounds.
The most effective approach to employ unbreakable Arrow 5e
Except in an antimagic zone, the unbreakable Arrow cannot be destroyed. In other words, unless the Beholders are watching, you can do whatever you want. Lever? Sure. Doorstop? Absolutely! A needle that can be pierced for a large amount of money? It’s a strange flex, but it’s fine.
In other words, whatever you can think of with an unbreakable stick with a sharp end? You could use it for anything because, aside from an antimagic field, it’s the same.
Do you ever need to retrieve at least one Arrow so that you have a reliable weapon that can be used over a long distance? You can tie a line to an arrow and hope it hits its goal, but can the arrow bear the pressure? For hunting, fishing, and other routine uses, you’ll need a workhorse of an arrow. Still, you’re not willing to risk depleting your valuable and currently difficult-to-replace/replenish quiver of ordinary arrows?
Then the 5e dnd’s Unbreakable Arrow might be perfect for you!