A thrown melee weapon is considered a ranged attack.
However, the Net has a throwing range, is listed as a Martial Ranged Weapon, but doesn't inherently state that it requires you to throw the net in order to use its effects, only that it hits.
Additionally, the Thrown feature refers to using the same attribute that you would use for the weapon if you were to use it for a melee weapon attack.
This implies that a melee weapon attack is possible with the net, but doesn't express how. If a melee weapon attack wasn't possible, then that would, RAW, indicate that no attribute is used for the Net to throw it.
What would happen if I tried to make a melee weapon attack with a net?
- Would the net be treated as an improvised weapon?
- Would it still be able to capture a target?
- If it was an improvised melee weapon, but couldn't capture anything, would it still inflict standard improvised weapon damage?
Best Answer
No, it would be an Improvised Weapon for 1d4 bludgeoning
The Net is listed under the Martial Ranged Weapons chart and there are no existing Ranged weapons that can be used as Melee Weapons at this time.
Because of that, this is purely a ranged weapon. If you'd like to use it as an improvised weapon, then it becomes purely an improvised weapon without its additional special properties. If you give it the additional special properties and allow for it to be used in Melee, then you are creating properties that don't currently exist for it or any other ranged weapon at this time.
Improvised Weapons deliver 1d4 damage of the type determined by the DM that's appropriate to the net. Given the limited options here, I'd probably say it's bludgeoning damage because it has nothing that will slash or pierce.
But why can't it still work as a net?
I think the reason behind this is in that when you throw the net, you are carefully tossing it in attempt to capture and you need some room in order to that.
If you are using it as a melee weapon, you are not doing arranging the net appropriately for capture and just whipping someone with it. There is no opportunity to capture someone, just an opportunity to hurt someone.
The above is just my reasoning behind the mechanics. Feel free to come up with your own, but the mechanics do remain the main driver here.
Damage vs Restraining
In addition, if one were to rule that you could use a melee attack and still get the special properties, you have just upgraded the weapon to one that deals damage and can restrain. If they wanted damage on an attack, they'd have given it to the ranged option.