D&D 5E Two-Weapon Fighting Style seems ... bad

[The Crimson Binome]

If the enemy only had 6 hitpoints then it doesn't matter that the two-handed weapon fighter does more damage.

This would have been more compelling during the playtest, with the weaker monsters. Does anyone know how many HP a basic goblin will have in the current game?

 

[TwoSix]

I think a better benefit would have been to make each of your attack actions be two attacks, the first doing weapon + mod, the second doing weapon only. That would you give you two rolls to do 1d6+X and 1d6, rather than one roll to do 2d6+X. Lower chance of doing high damage, but better chance of not whiffing, same damage overall.

Yes, that would make a 20th level fighter be able to do 8 total attacks, and 16 on action surge. I'm cool with that.

 

[ZombieRoboNinja]

The battlemaster subclass will have a bunch of maneuvers that you can trigger on a hit to do a chunk of extra damage along with a rider effect (trip, disarm, taunt, etc). TWF gives you a much higher chance to actually hit and apply that maneuver. Probably not going to give you a superior DPR, since you have limited maneuvers, but you're more likely to hit when it counts, which can make a BIG difference if you're, say, taunting a bad guy off the mage or tripping a scout who would run for reinforcements.

 

[jadrax]

Does anyone know how many HP a basic goblin will have in the current game?

7 (2d6)

 

[Sword of Spirit]

The battlemaster subclass will have a bunch of maneuvers that you can trigger on a hit to do a chunk of extra damage along with a rider effect (trip, disarm, taunt, etc). TWF gives you a much higher chance to actually hit and apply that maneuver. Probably not going to give you a superior DPR, since you have limited maneuvers, but you're more likely to hit when it counts, which can make a BIG difference if you're, say, taunting a bad guy off the mage or tripping a scout who would run for reinforcements.

I'm really looking forward to making gladiators with Battlemaster.

 

[Dausuul]

Assuming both fighters boost the relevant attack stat (Str or Dex) at the first opportunity, and not factoring hit rate into the calculation since it's the same for both, here's fighter DPR:

Greatsword Fighter:
Level 1-3: 11.33
Level 4: 12.33
Level 5: 24.67
Level 6-10: 26.67
Level 11-19: 40
Level 20: 53.33

Dual Shortsword Fighter:
Level 1-3: 13
Level 4: 15
Level 5: 22.5
Level 6-10: 25.5
Level 11-19: 34
Level 20: 42.5

So, without feats, the dual shortsword fighter keeps up pretty well through level 10. From level 11 onward, s/he falls way behind. We'll see if the Dual Wielding feat fixes this.

 

[Chocolategravy]

The fact that it is not only your best choice at low level, but that at high level you wouldn't even use it if you had it, makes me really hope they have retraining rules.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I know the assumption is no magic items. I get that. But, the reality is there will be magic items. So, I think that will make a difference in TWF's favor.

 

[GrumpyGamer]

Champions (Fighter subclass in basic) get a second fighting style at 10th. If you do not have a feat or two magic weapons to support two-weapon fighting style at 10th level, you do have a chance to pick another offensive fighting style prior to 11th level.

This does keep two-weapon fighting style from being a "*trap"...

*trap is overused, particularly if a choice adds to your character vision.

 

[Kaylos]

I ran a lot of math. When you factor in crits and hit%, the gap grows even farther between any of the offensive options and TWF. The only solution I found was to take away the damage modifier to the off hand and allow it gain extra attacks on the off-hand bonus attack, and allow the TWF to use non-light weapons immediately. this had the side effect of also smoothing out the early advantage TWFs had over GWFs or Duelists.

Example 1d8+mod attack action +1d8 bonus action at 1st.
2d8+mod attack action +2d8 bonus Action at 6th.

In this way a TWF stays exactly 5% ahead of the Greatsword/Maul GWF. Still comes out behind if he uses second wind (loses bonus action), on action surge (no extra bonus action), and on opportunity attacks. this does not account for leaked feats which would heavily favor GWFs, especially one hit rate is accounted for.

An yes I registered to reply to this one thread.