What official rules do we have for two weapon fighting so far?
1. Does the off-hand weapon need to be a light one?
2. Does the proficiency bonus count for both?
3. Is attacking with both weapons considered a single action?
4. Are the damage bonuses the same for both weapons?
DnD Basic Page 74 wrote:
SwampDog wrote:
SwampDog wrote:
creases wrote:
Saelorn wrote:
Saelorn wrote:
I think the idea is, you shouldn't do more damage with your off-hand attack than you do with your primary attack. But for balance reasons, TWF shouldn't let you get double duty out of your ability modifier by default, on an option that is available to everyone.
On the other hand, if you have a Strength of 8 and either no finesse weapons on hand, or also a Dexterity of 8, probably you should try a different approach than TWF.
Novacat wrote:
Novacat wrote:
Saelorn wrote:
Saelorn wrote:
Saelorn wrote:
edwin_su wrote:
I was always a fan of the playtest iteration that simply said you can make two attacks with attribute mod to both, but they both do half damage. You were just doing the same amount of damage but spreading it over two swings. I might still implement that version as a houserule, changing the fighter's TWF fighting style so that the main attack does full damage.
Im thinking of using the half damage style of dualwielding that was used in earlier playtests for the old longsword/shortsword style for strength based PCs. It really bumbs me out that they are letting drizzts clones have their way but excluding strength based dualwielding which has existed for most editions.
And technically Zaknafein can't dual-wield longswords in 5th Ed.
Brock_Landers wrote:
Brock_Landers wrote:
The dual wielding feat in the last playtest allowed non-light weapons, and it seems to have made the cut into the PHB. (Unless they changed that aspect of it.) So hurray for Zaknafein, I guess?
ClockworkNecktie wrote:
masterfat78 wrote:
Guys, maybe you can help me understand this.
I am reading the basic rules. Only considering early levels. Bonus Actions pg 69, Two-Weapon Fighting pg 74, Cunning Action pg27 and Action Surge pg 25.
I hear what everyone is saying, but not understanding how everyone can dual wield with the rules as written. It would seem to imply you have to have a bonus action that would allow you to attack in order to use two weapons "you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand". The rogue bonus action at 2nd level does not specifically allow for an attack, the fighter's does. I guess if any bonus action could be cashed in for the attack then anyone could do it at 2nd level when the classes are granted bonus actions. Or possibly if the mere holding of a second light weapon in your off-hand grants you a bonus attack then you could as well. Just not clear on how it occurs. Most likely I am missing some basic mechanic of the rules and you all can show me the error of my ways. 
Thanks ahead of time.
Thane8 wrote:
Everyone can possibly use a bonus action on its turn, but its not a ressource readily available, its one that can only be unlocked if a game element let you do so. Cunning Action is one. Two Weapon Fighting is another.
Thanks for the responses.
The Bonus Actions rule on pg. 69 seemed to imply you only had a bonus action if you were granted one. But if everyone has one, always, that would take care of the issue. Seems like it just needs a good rewording:
"Various class features, spells, and other abilities let you
take an additional action on your turn called a bonus
action. The Cunning Action feature, for example, allows
a rogue to take a bonus action. You can take a bonus
action only when a special ability, spell, or other feature
of the game states that you can do something as a bonus
action. You otherwise don’t have a bonus action to take."
But hopefully the PHB that comes out next week(hopefully at my local shop) will make things a little clearer on many fronts.
Thanks again!