Switching weapons

[KarinsDad]

I think a character with a scimitar in one hand and a longsword in the other could, indeed, by the PH rules, attack with either one.

Well the rule:

An off hand weapon is light enough that you can hold it and attack effectively with it while holding a weapon in your main hand.

implies that non-off hand weapons are not light enough to hold and attack effectively with while holding a weapon in your main hand.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Thing is, you can hold anything (most often a shield, much heavier than an off-hand weapon) in one hand while still attacking with the other. I think the 'off hand' weapon quality must be for wielding both in some meaningful sense.

I do admit that the snippet you quote does imply a difference between the main and off hand. But, without a mechanical difference or an actual definition, I'm not convinced.

 

[KarinsDad]

Thing is, you can hold anything (most often a shield, much heavier than an off-hand weapon) in one hand while still attacking with the other. I think the 'off hand' weapon quality must be for wielding both in some meaningful sense.

I do admit that the snippet you quote does imply a difference between the main and off hand. But, without a mechanical difference or an actual definition, I'm not convinced.

I thought that was the definition.

Off hand weapons have a property that non-off hand weapons do not: the weapon in the off hand can be used effectively while holding a weapon in the main hand.

I think allowing either weapon in either hand to be used at any time goes against the intent of this rule, but I agree it is not clearly spelled out.