Rules on a moving target.

[Ivor_The_Mad]

Hello Playground

I was wondering are there rules in the players handbook (or other books) on rules about shooting at a moving target. Are the rules the same if you are attacking with a ranged weapon but the target is running or is there some disadvantage. Thanks

[Ganymede]

You're thinking of third edition rules. 5e doesn't have this.

[KorvinStarmast]

Not explicitly. One of the gamisms is that this is a turn based game. What movement does for any target is provide a chance to have cover, increase range so that you are attacking at a disadvantage, or move to where the attacker can't see them. When you make your attack, or are attacked, the target is where it is.

If the target (you or a monster) takes the Dodge action (which might be moving away, or something else, it is generic to cover a lot of cases) then that attack is made at disadvantage.
Dodge

When you take the Dodge action, you focus entirely on avoiding attacks. Until the start of your next turn, any attack roll made against you has disadvantage if you can see the attacker, and you make Dexterity saving throws with advantage. You lose this benefit if you are incapacitated (as explained in appendix A) or if your speed drops to 0.

If the DM wants to provide circumstantial disadvantage to the attack, for whatever reason (moving, ship pitches, wagon hits a bump) then the DM can do that.

PHB p. 173.

You usually gain advantage or disadvantage through the use of spe⁠cial ab⁠ilities, actions, or Spells. Inspiration can also give a character advantage (as explained in “ Personality and Background ” section). The DM can also decide that circumstances influence a roll in one direction or the other and grant advantage or impose disadvantage as a result.
Basic Rules, p. 4

Advantage and Disadvantage
Sometimes an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw is modified by special situations called
advantage and disadvantage. Advantage reflects the positive circumstances surrounding a d20 roll, while
disadvantage reflects the opposite.
Making an attack:
Making an Attack (Basic Rules p. 72)

Whether you’re striking with a melee weapon, firing a weapon at range, or making an attack roll as part of a
spell, an attack has a simple structure.
1. Choose a target. Pick a target within your attack’s range: a creature, an object, or a location.
2. Determine modifiers. The DM determines whether the target has cover and whether you have advantage or disadvantage against the target.

[Lunali]

In general, any target that isn't surprised can be assumed to be moving anyway, dancing around in an area if it isn't actually going anywhere, so it wouldn't make a lot of sense to have separate rules for it. If anything, a target that is going somewhere would be easier to hit because it's more predictable.

[Theophilus]

The DM may modify, but the RAW has no considerations for speed or direction. The issue per round is range, cover, and concealment. The attack roll simulates shooting that lucky shot at a target moving. If something is moving supersonically, then it should have a spell effect or appropriate modifier from the DM (The only place I would assume this to be appropriate would be an Eberron or Modern setting).

[Tanarii]

If a target isnt moving and is unlikely to do so during an attack, give the attack advantage.

If a target is moving in a way that will make the shot really hard, give the attacker disadvantage.

For a baseline in judging those:
- Restrained or not seeing an attack coming gives advantage
- a target taking the Dodge action gives disadvantage