Do You Get Two Attacks with Two Weapon Fighting?
Two Weapon Fighting is a popular fighting style in 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons that allows fighters to attack twice with one bonus action. But one common question is, can you get two attacks with two weapon fighting? Let’s dive in and answer that question and more in this article.
Understanding Two Weapon Fighting
To answer this question, it’s essential to understand what Two Weapon Fighting is. It’s a fighting style that allows fighters to use both hands to attack in different ways. You can attack once with one weapon on your attack action, and then use a bonus action to attack again with a different weapon.
Here’s a table to break down the benefits of Two Weapon Fighting:
| Type | Attack Action | Bonus Action |
|---|---|---|
| Melee | 1 Attack with 1 weapon | 1 Attack with other weapon |
As you can see, with Two Weapon Fighting, you can get an additional attack in the same turn using your bonus action.
Can You Get Two Attacks with Two Weapon Fighting?
So, back to the original question. Can you get two attacks with Two Weapon Fighting? The answer is, no, not necessarily. The Two Weapon Fighting rule is designed to give you one additional attack with your bonus action. This can add up to a maximum of two attacks per turn if you also make a multiattack as part of your attack action.
For example, if you make an attack with a shortsword on your attack action and then attack with a rapier as your bonus action, that’s still just one bonus attack.
However, some subclasses like the Arcane Trickster Bard’s "Finesse Tradition" allows them to gain two attacks in a bonus action. Bold The Finesse Tradition ability allows you to get an additional attack as a bonus action, giving you a total of two attacks in the same turn**.
Here’s an example of how it might play out:
Before Using the Finesse Tradition:
- Attack with your shortsword as part of your attack action.
- Use a bonus action to attack with your rapier.
After Using the Finesse Tradition:
- Attack with your shortsword as part of your attack action.
- Use a bonus action to attack twice: once with your rapier, and then with another bonus action.
In this scenario, you can see that with the Finesse Tradition, you get to gain an additional attack with your bonus action, which makes it look like you have two attacks. But without this subclass ability, the standard Two Weapon Fighting rules only grant one additional attack.
Adding RAGE Damage
Some martial characters, like Barbarians, have a rage mechanic that adds extra damage to their attacks. When used in conjunction with Two Weapon Fighting, it’s essential to add rage damage to all attacks, including your bonus attack.
Failure to add rage damage can result in significant losses to your total damage output, making you feel like you’re missing out on power. By including your bonus attack in your calculations, you’ll ensure you get the maximum amount of rage damage in each battle.
In Summary
Two Weapon Fighting is an amazing ability that lets fighters make an extra attack per turn. While it can give you more damage and a greater advantage on the battlefield, the basic rule only allows one bonus attack. Certain subclass abilities, like the Arcane Trickster’s "Finesse Tradition", can allow you to make two bonus attacks per turn.
To optimize your damage output, don’t forget to add your rage damage to all your attacks, including your bonus action. With a combination of Two Weapon Fighting, the "Finesse Tradition" ability, and precise planning, you can devastate your foes and claim victory on the battlefield.
We hope this article has cleared up any confusion and helped you to better understand Two Weapon Fighting in your Dungeons and Dragons campaign.