D&D 5E Consensus about two-weapon fighting?

Yaarel · Jun 28, 2019

Is there any consensus about how to fix two-weapon fighting?

Mistwell · Jun 28, 2019

I don't think so.

I do think it would be fair to say with your first attack in each round, you may attack a second time with an off-hand weapon. Just get rid of it requiring a bonus action.

Laurefindel · Jun 28, 2019

Other than it should use at least two weapons, not that I know of. Many solutions are being proposed, many work well for localized groups, none seem to satisfy a majority.

The Crimson Binome · Jun 28, 2019

Not a consensus, no. We just have a wide variety of house rules.

Personally, I'm a fan of adding the damage from both weapons together, and treating that as a single attack (which scales with extra attack, no bonus action required).

Xeviat · Jun 28, 2019

Saelorn said:
Not a consensus, no. We just have a wide variety of house rules.

Personally, I'm a fan of adding the damage from both weapons together, and treating that as a single attack (which scales with extra attack, no bonus action required).

I'm strongly tempted to do what Saelorn suggests, then allow a bonus action for splitting between two targets.

There's no consensus. I've tried to tease one out. It's tough.

FrogReaver · Jun 28, 2019

Yaarel said:
Is there any consensus about how to fix two-weapon fighting?

No. Too many abilities scale to many different ways. That makes it nearly impossible to reach a consensus.

FrogReaver · Jun 28, 2019

I suppose one could grant attack actions worth of extra attacks. They benefit from bonsuses to attack but not bonuses to damage. (no bonus action required here)

Dausuul · Jun 28, 2019

The thing most folks seem to agree on is removing the bonus action. Not being able to use that bonus action really stings as you start gaining abilities and spells.

I'd start there and see if it does the trick. Fighters might need some extra help past level 11, but otherwise I think that could be all you need.

FrogReaver · Jun 28, 2019

Dausuul said:
The thing most folks seem to agree on is removing the bonus action. Not being able to use that bonus action really stings as you start gaining abilities and spells.

I'd start there and see if it does the trick. Fighters might need some extra help past level 11, but otherwise I think that could be all you need.

Removing the bonus action breaks to many other things, especially in tier 1. (at least with no other changes)

In tier 1 it makes it so
Rangers are hands down better with TWF than anything
Barbarians are hands down better with TWF than anything
Paladins are hands down better with TWF than anything (extra chacnes to hit/crit for divine smite and no loss to damage)
Fighters already favor TWF in tier 1. The change doesn't impact them
Warlocks are very strong with TWF (much better than any other weapon or eldritch blast)
Monks can TWF and bonus action flurry of blows....

Pretty much, if you have a way to get a bonus action or damage bonus it's the only style objectively good in tier 1 for just about any PC.

In tier 2 it's a lot closer (and more varied amongst the classes) In tier 3 things get wonky again...

SkidAce · Jun 28, 2019

I am in the minority, and am inclined to keep it as a bonus action.

I understand the drawbacks, but look at them more as tradeoffs for versatility. IMO.