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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cap'n Kobold" data-source="post: 7187075" data-attributes="member: 6802951">The weapon moves faster and less of a swing is needed to deal effective damage, so your opponent has less time to spot the attack and react. You can change the direction of your weapon faster allowing you to avoid your opponent's guard, or even push past it. Your athleticism allows you to lunge in to range when your opponent doesn't expect. You can make rapid jumps and movements to come in from other angles.When the weapon lands, it is more likely to deal real injury rather than harmless bruising. A strike on a joint is more likely  to push it out of its range of motion. A thrust is more likely to push through chain, leather, or layers of muscle/tough hide . . .And so on.Its probably worth reiterating that in 5e, neither the attributes governed by Str; (athleticism, ability to generate force) or Dex (reflexes, grace, balance) cover pure skill - which is represented by proficiency bonus.And yes, actually hitting effectively with a weapon does require both Str and Dex, just as avoiding and defending against attacks does also. I think D&D's split of one stat for attacking and one stat for defending is a reasonable simplification within the system though.</blockquote>