Two Weapon Fighting (yeah, I know...)

Coroc said:

For the sake of at least some realism leave the offhand as a bonus action aa it is. IRL fighting with two weapons neither makes you quicker nor allows to attack more often. Would you try it, in fact you would be slower , because you would have to change stance each time you switch between the two weapons.

The bonus action rule is a good compromise between realism and munchkinism.

Click to expand...

Personally, I find it hard to apply realism in an abstract combat system. Whether it is realistic or not, TWF, since its debut in OD&D (AD&D?) always gave you an extra *opportunity* to disrupt your opponent's readiness, regardless of the amount of swings you make in a 1 min or 6 sec round. For all we know, the PC never "hit" with the offhand weapon. Only, it gave them an edge in combat, one that is measurable by its damage die.

While I agree there should be an opportunity cost to gain an extra opportunity for an attack (beyond not having a shield or a higher-damage 2h weapon), I don't think realism - or lack thereof - weights heavily in this equation.