Measure from the attacker too
A distant target does not remove the influence of an enemy near the attacker. Under the 2024 D&D rules, a ranged attack roll has Disadvantage if you are within 5 feet of an enemy who can see you and is not Incapacitated. That nearby enemy need not be the target you are shooting at.
Before resolving the attack, use the map to check two relationships: distance to the target and other enemies’ proximity to the attacker. DMGrid documents pieces and a distance ruler; this is a suggested manual check, not an automatic Disadvantage detector.
A corridor with three figures
Original example: an archer wants to attack a creature 20 feet away. Her chosen attack has sufficient normal range for that distance. Another enemy is 5 feet from the archer, can see her and is not Incapacitated. Assume no feature modifies the cited rule.
In this example, the target being 20 feet away does not prevent Disadvantage caused by the nearby enemy. We have not calculated the attack outcome or every weapon rule; we identified a condition still needing review.
| Example relationship | Question it answers |
|---|---|
| Archer and distant target | Can the chosen attack reach that destination? |
| Archer and enemy 5 feet away | Is the close-combat ranged-attack condition met? |
The official 2024 rule applies to ranged attacks with weapons, spells or other means. Do not extend it to every spell: this case requires a ranged attack roll.
Bring the check to the board
Locate the attacker, target and nearby enemy pieces. Check the map scale and use the distance ruler according to your setup. Then confirm with the game master whether the nearby enemy can see the attacker, whether it is Incapacitated and whether a feature changes the rule.
A suggested note is “Target 20 feet away; other enemy within 5, sees attacker and is not Incapacitated; review 2024 Disadvantage.” The note makes the conditions supporting the decision explicit. We do not claim DMGrid fills these details or applies the effect for you.
Before changing position
If the table chooses to move the attacker, resolve that movement under its rules before checking again. This article grants no free movement and does not determine whether you provoke an Opportunity Attack. The useful decision now is to identify the missing question before rolling.
DMGrid’s product facts document the tactical board, pieces, ruler and notes. It is a paid Windows beta for running an in-person campaign on one computer. Review its current features and demonstrations before buying. Sources checked on 26 October 2026; we have not executed this scene inside the app.