D&D 5E GWF vs TWF: The Math

[Stalker0]

Since a lot of people have asked the question, lets look at the math. Between GWF and TWF...is either one strictly superior?

All situations are compared against a AC 16 character.

Note: DPR = Damage Per Round.

1st Level Fighter, with no fighting styles of note (they took that sweet +1 to AC!)

Str: +3, Prof +2.

TWF: 2 d6 weapons. DPR: 5.35
GWF: 1 2d6 weapon. DPR: 5.35

Winner: Tied.
This one is a complete tie. Both style do the same damage, even if you modify the beginning strength. It depends on whether you want your damage in small chunks with better to hit, or a massive attack that misses more often. Considering the potential for damage overkill (and the fact that sometimes you just need to hit) I would give the slight edge to TWF, but its really a style preference.

1st Level Fighter, using the various fighting styles
Str: +3, Prof +2.

TWF: 2 d6 weapons. DPR: 7.2
GWF: 1 2d6 weapon. DPR: 6.5

Winner: TWF
The TWF fighting style provides more damage and a greater chance to hit. It is strictly the superior choice at the early levels.


8th level Fighter, no fighting styles
Str: +5, Prof +3. Crit on 19-20. 2 attacks as base.

TWF: 2 d6 weapons. DPR: 14.375
GWF: 1 2d6 weapon. DPR: 17

Winner: GWF
As the number of attacks increase, TWF's one bonus attack starts to make less of an impact.

8th level Fighter, with styles
Str: +5, Prof +3. Crit on 19-20. 2 attacks as base.

TWF: 2 d6 weapons. DPR: 17.63
GWF: 1 2d6 weapon. DPR: 18.99

Winner: GWF
The difference is a little less now, as the TWF fighting style ultimately does more good than the GWF one does. However its not enough to overcome GWF damage advantage.


A quick look at the cleric and rogue

Bonus damage that applies on both or either attacks always favors the style with more attacks. As such, the clerics divine strike (and buff spells that affects their attacks) and the rogue's sneak attack favor TWF straight up. Because these class do not get extra attacks like the fighter, GWF never gets a chance to come back in terms of damage.


In summary, optimal play for damage

Fighter (1-4): TWF with style
Fighter (5-20): GWF with style
Cleric (1-7): Either style...unless using certain buff spells.
Cleric (8-20): TWF
Rogue (1-20): TWF with sneak attack

 

[Abstruse]

Does that account for the doubled chance of a crit with two weapon fighting?

Edit: Nevermind, reading comprehension fail.

 

[sidonunspa]

Umm,

Point of order.... now I may have missed something, but..

"Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage"

so do multiple attacks with sneak attack even matter anymore?

 

[Nagol]

Umm,

Point of order.... now I may have missed something, but..

"Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage"

so do multiple attacks with sneak attack even matter anymore?

Multiple chances to hit increase the odds of gaining the +1d6 every round, so it will still matter somewhat.

 

[sidonunspa]

Multiple chances to hit increase the odds of gaining the +1d6 every round, so it will still matter somewhat.

Fair enough....

 

[SatanasOz]

Umm,

Point of order.... now I may have missed something, but..

"Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage"

so do multiple attacks with sneak attack even matter anymore?

yes, because you might miss. TWF, or whatever else would then give you a 2nd attack on your turn could still land the sneak attack. You have to meet the conditions, though. So in the case off triggering sneak attack with advantage, you would still require advantage on your second attack to trigger it on an eventual hit then (say, prone enemy for example).

That is what Stalker0 is refering to with "Bonus damage that applies on both or either attacks ..."

​

 

[Stalker0]

Multiple chances to hit increase the odds of gaining the +1d6 every round, so it will still matter somewhat.

Correct, its the same way with the cleric's divine strike. The more chances to hit, the more likely the bonus gets applied. Further, the more chances you can apply it to a crit for a bigger bonus.

 

[Snapdragyn]

So some people have DMs who would allow them to declare the SA after seeing if the attack actually hits?

Wow. Must be nice. *sigh*

 

[CM]

So some people have DMs who would allow them to declare the SA after seeing if the attack actually hits?

Wow. Must be nice. *sigh*

Uhh, this is how it works.

Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll.

(remainder snipped)

Nothing in there about having to declare it before you make the attack roll.

 

[Snapdragyn]

Also nothing in there about getting to apply it to whichever attack hits after you determine the success of all of your attacks for the round. I know which way my DMs will interpret this. YMMV.