D&D 5E Rules question

[mips42]

In my live D&D game we're having a rules question about dual wielding without the feat.
I had thought that on the first attack you get Ability Bonus and proficiency on to-hit and Ability Bonus on damage and then on the second attack you only got Ability Bonus on to-hit.
The rules seem to say that the second attack gets Ability and Proficiency on To-Hit and no ability bonus at all (to-hit or damage) on the second attack.

When a character makes an attack roll, the two most common modifiers to the roll are an ability modifier and the character’s proficiency bonus. When a monster makes an attack roll, it uses whatever modifier is provided in its stat block.
Ability Modifier. The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity. Weapons that have the finesse or thrown property break this rule.
Some spells also require an attack roll. The ability modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability o f the spellcaster, as explained in chapter 10.
Proficiency Bonus. You add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll when you attack using a weapon with which you have proficiency, as well as when you attack with a spell.
Two-Weapon Fighting. When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you’re holding in the other hand. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.

 

[Herobizkit]

You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.

But, you still add your modifier to hit.

TWF, no feat:

Attack: d20+[ability mod] to hit, weapon+[ability mod] to damage.
Bonus: d20+[ability mod] to hit, weapon [- ability mod if negative] to damage.

In rules-speak, you always add/subtract your ability modifier to hit, and you always apply modifier damage... unless you're TWF, in which case you don't apply modifier damage (unless negative) to the Bonus attack.

This is an example of "specific overrides general" rulings in 5e.

 

[mips42]

okay, what about proficiency bonus?

 

[flametitan]

okay, what about proficiency bonus?

Are you proficient with the weapon you are using? If so,t hen yes. Add it to the to-hit.(And just as a reminder, though you may know this already, but your proficiency bonus is never added to damage.)

 

[DEFCON 1]

So on the assumption you are proficient with the weapons you are dual-wielding with:

Main hand
Attack roll: 1d20 + [ability modifier] + [proficiency bonus]
Damage: Weapon damage die + [ability modifier]

Off-hand
Attack roll: 1d20 + [ability modifier] + [proficiency bonus]
Damage: Weapon damage die

*****

If you have the Two-Weapon Fighting Style (from either the Fighter or Ranger)...

Main hand
Attack roll: 1d20 + [ability modifier] + [proficiency bonus]
Damage: Weapon damage die + [ability modifier]

Off-hand
Attack roll: 1d20 + [ability modifier] + [proficiency bonus]
Damage: Weapon damage die + [ability modifier]

 

[Oofta]

Fighters with the two weapon fighting style add the ability modifier to the damage. Nobody else does.

 

[Plaguescarred]

Fighters with the two weapon fighting style add the ability modifier to the damage. Nobody else does.

Ranger also do

 

[Oofta]

Ranger also do

Well, I was assuming characters that people actually play. But yes, you should check the fighting styles - paladins for example don't get two weapon fighting as an option.

 

[neogod22]

Ranger also do

Monks with their off-hand attack. Lol

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[Plaguescarred]

Monks with their off-hand attack. Lol

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Monks don't even have access to Two-Weapon Fighting Style

We're not talking about any bonus action attack enabling ability mod to damage but to two-weapon fighting specifically, and the Fighting Style associated with it.