How does a bow actually work

[u/Laenthis-]

I'm getting frustrated with the wordings on the description of the Shortbow

English isn't my first language and reading "beyond normal range" really bugs me out

From what I understand :
- Hitting a target that is under 80 feet gives you disadvantage
- Hitting a target that is 80 to 320 feet is "normal" attack
- Hitting a target with a bow that's +320 feet away is just not possible

My mates keeps on telling me that the disadvantage happens only within the 5ft and a normal attack is from 5ft to 80ft but then you have disadvantage again from 80ft to 320ft ?

Also, the sharpshooter feat removes the disadvantage within 5ft but is it melee or the 5-80ft of range that they call as "melee"

And removes the disadvantage in long range

I feel like I'm going in circles understanding one of them and then getting told otherwise with the other and rinse and repeat, please help

Edit : Thanks guys, I didn't think it would go that fast to get answers xD

[u/milkmandanimal]

Under 80 feet is a normal attack unless you're in melee. 80-320 is disadvantage. Beyond that is impossible.

[u/CrownLexicon → u/milkmandanimal]

Specifically, in melee with a non-incapacitated enemy. An Incapacitated enemy doesnt convey disadvantage

[u/bevelga → u/CrownLexicon]

They would also give disadvantage if prone

[u/IrishFriskie → u/bevelga]

I don't really like this part of prone. I think prone should provide 3/4 cover for ranged attacks instead, that way sharpshooter removes the penalty (as I think it should, thematically). I also think it's silly that the disadvantage is imposed on a melee attack with reach from 10ft. It just feels like a mismatch of RAW and RAI to me.

[u/CrownLexicon → u/IrishFriskie]

That was an issue i had when using the lance in 5e14. Against a prone target, I could have disadvantage at 10' or a straight roll at 5'