Level Up (A5E) 5e 2024/5.5 vs Level Up A5E

[Chaltab]

I have seen and read both versions of the Two-Weapon Fighting style. I know which of the two is better, but I am curious to see what everyone else has to say about them.

Kinda need context to say which is better since both games make different changes to how dual-wielding weapons works.

 

[Corinnguard]

Kinda need context to say which is better since both games make different changes to how dual-wielding weapons works.

Okay. For the moment, I am going to post how Two-Weapon Fighting works in A5e.

Two-Weapon Fighting
When you take the Attack action and attack with a weapon that does not have the heavy property that you are wielding in one hand, you can use your bonus action to attack with a different dual-wielding melee weapon that you are holding in your off-hand. You do not add your ability modifier to the damage roll of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative. If a weapon has the thrown property, you can make a ranged weapon attack with it instead. If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can use your bonus action to make two attacks with the weapon in your offhand.

In A5e, dual-wielding is used in place of the light weapon property and works much the same as that property with one exception. The other weapon doesn't have to have the dual-wielding property in order for the character to fight with two weapons. So, you can fight with a longsword in one hand and a scimitar (which has the dual-wielding property) in your other hand.

Dual-Wielding†. This weapon is designed to be wielded in concert with another weapon. When wielding another weapon in your main hand that does not have the heavy property, you can use your bonus action to make an attack with this weapon (see Two-Weapon Fighting on page 446in Chapter 8: Combat).

When your character reaches 5th level and gains extra attack, they can make four attacks, two with their primary hand and two with their offhand.

For a 5th-level character in 5.5e to make the same number of attacks, they would need the Light weapon property, the Nick weapon mastery and the Dual-Wielder feat. That's two attacks with the weapon in your primary hand, one attack with your offhand weapon, and another attack that uses both your primary hand and offhand weapons at the same time while using the Nick weapon mastery that turn.

A5e's Dual-Wielder Expert feat works like its' 2014 counterpart.

Dual-Wielding Expert
You’re a master at wielding two weapons at once, gaining the following benefits:
• You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class while you are wielding a separate melee in each hand.
• You can use two-weapon fighting with any two one-handed melee weapons so long as neither has the heavy property.
• When you would normally draw or sheathe a one-handed weapon, you can instead draw or sheathe two one-handed weapons.

After seeing the 5.5e version of Two-Weapon Fighting style, I think the A5e version is much better. It's less cumbersome IMO as the A5e version merely gives you an additional offhand attack at 5th level.

 

[Anonymous3]

Both versions of Two Weapon Fighting seem similar to me in that by 5th level both systems would allow 4 attacks for dual wielders.

5.5e requires the Dual Wielder feat, Two Weapon Fighting Style, the Light Weapon Property and Nick to make this work. Essentially scimitar+Dual Wielder feat+Two Weapon Fighting style equals 4 attacks by level 5. However, this has the benefit of getting 3 attacks using your attack action and then choosing how you use your bonus action which is better flexibility albeit paying taxes.

A5e requires just holding weapons with the dual wielding property to achieve the same result by level 5. Attack action nets two attacks and bonus another two. However, this setup requires no feats or fighting style to achieve. Two Weapon Fighting style and Dual Wielder feat are good but not essential which also adds flexibility.

I prefer A5e's version because of the reduced taxes (fighting style, feat).

 

[Chaltab]

Hence my comment about Context. If you want more attacks sooner then 5.24 is better. If you want them with less overhead then A5E is better. Also there's the matter that every general Feat in 24 has a half ASI while in A5E you still choose either or.

 

[Corinnguard]

If you want them with less overhead then A5E is better.

I prefer to get the extra attacks with less overhead. Especially if you get to start with a d8 weapon in your main hand and a d6 weapon in your offhand at 1st level.

Also there's the matter that every general Feat in 24 has a half ASI while in A5E you still choose either or.

I don't mind it being an either/or situation when it comes to picking up a feat or an ASI. What matters is what you do with the feat and when you get it, or when it is a good time to get that ASI.

 

[Steampunkette]

The Adventurer's Guide has 11 martial traditions in it. At 15 maneuvers per tradition, that's already 165 maneuvers.

Martial Artistry is going to have 12 martial traditions in it. Another 180.

The 2024 PHB has "Almost 400" spells in it. Between these two books we're going to have almost as many combat maneuvers... plus the GPG also has Beast Unity, Comedic Jabs, Dueling Maneuvers, and Gallant Heart for another 60 maneuvers.

So... Y'know. There's about to be as many combat maneuvers in publication for A5e as there are D&D24 Spells.

 

[Corinnguard]

In A5e, any martial character can be a Battle Master.

GPG also has Beast Unity, Comedic Jabs, Dueling Maneuvers, and Gallant Heart for another 60 maneuvers.

@xiphumor probably has the exact number of combat traditions and maneuvers. So, the number might have already exceeded the number of spells in the 5.5e PHB.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The Adventurer's Guide has 11 martial traditions in it. At 15 maneuvers per tradition, that's already 165 maneuvers.

Martial Artistry is going to have 12 martial traditions in it. Another 180.

The 2024 PHB has "Almost 400" spells in it. Between these two books we're going to have almost as many combat maneuvers... plus the GPG also has Beast Unity, Comedic Jabs, Dueling Maneuvers, and Gallant Heart for another 60 maneuvers.

So... Y'know. There's about to be as many combat maneuvers in publication for A5e as there are D&D24 Spells.

Very much looking forward to this book!

 

[Micah Sweet]

The Adventurer's Guide has 11 martial traditions in it. At 15 maneuvers per tradition, that's already 165 maneuvers.

Martial Artistry is going to have 12 martial traditions in it. Another 180.

The 2024 PHB has "Almost 400" spells in it. Between these two books we're going to have almost as many combat maneuvers... plus the GPG also has Beast Unity, Comedic Jabs, Dueling Maneuvers, and Gallant Heart for another 60 maneuvers.

So... Y'know. There's about to be as many combat maneuvers in publication for A5e as there are D&D24 Spells.

I meant to ask you about this: in another thread recently (it might actually have been this one) it occurred to me that there are no combat traditions in Level Up that specifically are associated with wrestling and/or unarmed combat techniques. As an excellent A5e content creator, do you think this is an area worth expanding into?

 

[Steampunkette]

I meant to ask you about this: in another thread recently (it might actually have been this one) it occurred to me that there are no combat traditions in Level Up that specifically are associated with wrestling and/or unarmed combat techniques. As an excellent A5e content creator, do you think this is an area worth expanding into?

Serpent's Grip is already in Paranormal Power.

I've also got a few "Wrestling Move" combat synergies written up and ready to go. Like the double-clothesline.