My character is a 3rd level gloom stalker ranger going the melee route with two-weapon fighting, dual wielding short swords. My sheet says I can make one attack. Disregarding the first round's dread ambusher, does "one attack" mean swinging with only one of my swords, or both? If it's only one, then what is the point to 'two-weapon fighting'?
If your idea is to wield two Shortswords, those weapons have the Light property, so you can attack twice when you take the Attack action if you also use your Bonus Action:
Light When you take the Attack action on your turn and attack with a Light weapon, you can make one extra attack as a Bonus Action later on the same turn. That extra attack must be made with a different Light weapon, and you don’t add your ability modifier to the extra attack’s damage unless that modifier is negative. For example, you can attack with a Shortsword in one hand and a Dagger in the other using the Attack action and a Bonus Action, but you don’t add your Strength or Dexterity modifier to the damage roll of the Bonus Action unless that modifier is negative.
If you wish to save your Bonus Action for something else, you could take Scimitar Weapon Mastery to make the extra attack of the Light property as part of the Attack action instead.
I checked and cannot find that in dndbeyond nor when I do a Google search. Are you sure that's not something homebrewed? If it is not homebrewed, can you let me know what source book has it? It's definitely not in the Player's Handbook.
I checked and cannot find that in dndbeyond nor when I do a Google search. Are you sure that's not something homebrewed? If it is not homebrewed, can you let me know what source book has it? It's definitely not in the Player's Handbook.
Plaguescarredis referring to taking advantage of the Nick Master property, which a Scimitar has.
Nick When you make the extra attack of the Light property, you can make it as part of the Attack action instead of as a Bonus Action. You can make this extra attack only once per turn.
So you could take the Attack action and:
- First Attack with Shortsword - Second attack (the Nick Attack) with Scimitar as part of the Attack action instead of as a Bonus Action
Doing so, your Bonus Action is free for other things.
I'm genuinely not trying to be difficult, I really want to understand how to utilize my character correctly and to best advantage, but I still can't find what you're referring to. I own the 2024 Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual, the Tasha's Cauldron book and Xanathar's guide if that helps. I looked at the feats in the Player's Handbook, and checked the D&D Beyond Basic Rules and I must be blind or not looking in the right place or something...
Due to the story I've created for this character, I will not be using a scimitar, but the possibility presented is noted. Thanks again!
You're always welcome!
If it's useful for you, I usually recommend this video about the interaction between the Light weapon property, Dual Wielder feat, Two-Weapon Fighting Style feat, and Nick Weapon Mastery:
Due to the story I've created for this character, I will not be using a scimitar, but the possibility presented is noted. Thanks again!
If it's for aesthetic reasons (and cost or a 1 lb. difference is not a problem), you could always ask your DM if one of your shortswords could have the Nick property instead. You would need some way to distinguish them (perhaps give them names), but otherwise, both are Finesse, Light weapons with 1d6 damage.
Due to the story I've created for this character, I will not be using a scimitar, but the possibility presented is noted. Thanks again!
If it's for aesthetic reasons (and cost or a 1 lb. difference is not a problem), you could always ask your DM if one of your shortswords could have the Nick property instead. You would need some way to distinguish them (perhaps give them names), but otherwise, both are Finesse, Light weapons with 1d6 damage.
In general, I've found it very helpful to name my weapons when fighting with two shortswords - creates more clarity for me for which one is doing what. (Also in Roll20, it means the transcript knows which hand/weapon was used on each turn.) Plus, it's also fun.
Hello!
My character is a 3rd level gloom stalker ranger going the melee route with two-weapon fighting, dual wielding short swords. My sheet says I can make one attack. Disregarding the first round's dread ambusher, does "one attack" mean swinging with only one of my swords, or both? If it's only one, then what is the point to 'two-weapon fighting'?
If your idea is to wield two Shortswords, those weapons have the Light property, so you can attack twice when you take the Attack action if you also use your Bonus Action:
Thanks! That's what I thought. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right. :)
If you wish to save your Bonus Action for something else, you could take Scimitar Weapon Mastery to make the extra attack of the Light property as part of the Attack action instead.
I checked and cannot find that in dndbeyond nor when I do a Google search. Are you sure that's not something homebrewed? If it is not homebrewed, can you let me know what source book has it? It's definitely not in the Player's Handbook.
It's in the 2024 Basic rules & Player's Handbook, which i tought you used please disregard if not.
Plaguescarred is referring to taking advantage of the Nick Master property, which a Scimitar has.
Nick says:
So you could take the Attack action and:
- First Attack with Shortsword
- Second attack (the Nick Attack) with Scimitar as part of the Attack action instead of as a Bonus Action
Doing so, your Bonus Action is free for other things.
I'm genuinely not trying to be difficult, I really want to understand how to utilize my character correctly and to best advantage, but I still can't find what you're referring to. I own the 2024 Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual, the Tasha's Cauldron book and Xanathar's guide if that helps. I looked at the feats in the Player's Handbook, and checked the D&D Beyond Basic Rules and I must be blind or not looking in the right place or something...
It's Weapon Mastery properties.
See Equipment section.
Got it! Thanks @Plaguescarred and @Tarodnet.
Due to the story I've created for this character, I will not be using a scimitar, but the possibility presented is noted. Thanks again!
You're always welcome!
If it's useful for you, I usually recommend this video about the interaction between the Light weapon property, Dual Wielder feat, Two-Weapon Fighting Style feat, and Nick Weapon Mastery:
If it's for aesthetic reasons (and cost or a 1 lb. difference is not a problem), you could always ask your DM if one of your shortswords could have the Nick property instead. You would need some way to distinguish them (perhaps give them names), but otherwise, both are Finesse, Light weapons with 1d6 damage.
Dagger, Sickle and Light Hammer are also Nick weapons if they fit your story better (though you'd have to accept a D4 damage die instead).
In general, I've found it very helpful to name my weapons when fighting with two shortswords - creates more clarity for me for which one is doing what. (Also in Roll20, it means the transcript knows which hand/weapon was used on each turn.) Plus, it's also fun.
At 3rd level it is possible to make 2 attacks.
At 4th level it is possible to make 3 attacks (feat)
at 5th level it is possible to make 4 attacks (2nd attack from attack action)