Against a Prone target under the 2024 rules, the attacker’s distance matters. The condition gives the attack Advantage if the attacker is within five feet; otherwise it gives Disadvantage. A melee weapon reaching ten feet does not by itself make that attack advantaged.
This is Prone in the official 2024 glossary, checked on 27 October 2026. Your table must also check other effects and specific rules. This guide isolates one case to prepare with DMGrid’s published tools, rather than presenting the app as an automatic referee.
A target on the ground and a weapon that reaches
Fictional example: a character is ten feet from a Prone enemy and uses a weapon whose reach permits an attack at that distance. Assume no other sources of Advantage, Disadvantage or rules changing the case.
Reach allows the attack from there; the target’s condition determines a different consequence. Because the attacker is more than five feet away, Prone imposes Disadvantage. Saying “it’s melee” or “they’re on the ground” is insufficient.
If the attacker were within five feet in another case, Prone would supply Advantage. Other circumstances can still matter. This does not resolve point-blank ranged attacks or every condition combination.
Check two facts before rolling
DMGrid publishes a tactical board, pieces, a distance ruler and session notes. Use those to make the table’s decision explicit:
- Confirm the target still has the condition and which rules you use.
- Check the map’s scale rather than intuitively converting visual separation into feet.
- Measure attacker-to-target distance with the published tool.
- Check this attack’s reach, then apply Prone alongside the other effects.
A distance ruler helps check a measurement. It does not verify your chosen scale or resolve every attack rule. The DMGrid brief documents its actual tools and scope.
Keep the reason in a note
Suggested preparation wording: “target Prone; attacker 10 feet away; attack allowed by reach; Disadvantage from Prone distance, with no other effects in this example”. This preserves the reason instead of turning “on the ground” into a universal Advantage label.
Recheck when position changes or the condition ends. A previous turn’s note does not establish the current state. The cover’s figures illustrate distance and position; they are neither a software screenshot nor evidence of actual play.
The board organises; the table decides
DMGrid is a paid Windows beta for in-person campaigns on one computer, with local data. It does not offer browser multiplayer rooms. Player View is a separate player display, not a replacement for the DM’s rules check.
Review the product and public demonstration before purchase; the installer is for licensed customers, not a free demo. For the next attack against a prone enemy, ask: are you within those five feet, or only within your weapon’s reach?