A player in my group says that I can only add my strength or dexterity modifiers to one attack during my entire turn. He's referencing two-weapon fighting which notes "bonus attack with a off-hand weapon."
If I have an extra attack feature and wielded a two handed weapon; such as a level 5 fighter, wouldn't I get to add my strength modifier to both attacks and damage rolls?
(There is no bonus attack in this equation, only a multiattack. No Two-weapon fighting style).
Indeed, there is no rule like "you can add the STR/DEX bonus to the damage only once in a turn". There is, however, that limitation on the two-weapon attack with the bonus action. A limitation that is overruled by the two-weapon fighting style.
With Extra-Attack, there is no such a limitation on the damage bonus.
One of the main principles for interpreting rules in D&D is that the general rule applies unless overridden by a more specific rule. The general rule about rolling damage for a successful weapon attack says you add the same ability modifier to the damage roll that you used for the attack roll. This rule does not limit how many times on your turn you can do this, it just says that you do it. So, unless a more specific rule says otherwise, this is what you do. The rules for two-weapon fighting say that the bonus action attack you make does not add your ability modifier. So, this becomes the standard for the bonus attack from two-weapon fighting. Even MORE specific is if you're dual-wielding and you have the Two-Weapon Fighting style, say from being a Fighter or a Ranger. Then you get to add the ability modifier to the bonus action attack from TWF. So you went from general rule for damage rolls, to the specific rule for two-weapon fighting, to the more specific rule about two-weapon fighting WITH the Two-Weapon Fighting style, and OMG why did they have to give those the same name.
As an aside, note that there are other features that let you make an attack as a bonus action, such as the butt-end attack from the Polearm Master feat, or the bonus attack from Great Weapon Master if you scored a critical hit or dropped a creature to 0 HP on your turn. These attacks DO add your ability modifier, since nothing in the specific rule granting them says you don't add it, so the general rule about rolling weapon damage applies. Some people get confused and think the TWF rule about the bonus action attack applies to all bonus action attacks, it doesn't.
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A player in my group says that I can only add my strength or dexterity modifiers to one attack during my entire turn. He's referencing two-weapon fighting which notes "bonus attack with a off-hand weapon."
If I have an extra attack feature and wielded a two handed weapon; such as a level 5 fighter, wouldn't I get to add my strength modifier to both attacks and damage rolls?
(There is no bonus attack in this equation, only a multiattack. No Two-weapon fighting style).
Got Goblin?
You are right.
Indeed, there is no rule like "you can add the STR/DEX bonus to the damage only once in a turn". There is, however, that limitation on the two-weapon attack with the bonus action. A limitation that is overruled by the two-weapon fighting style.
With Extra-Attack, there is no such a limitation on the damage bonus.
One of the main principles for interpreting rules in D&D is that the general rule applies unless overridden by a more specific rule. The general rule about rolling damage for a successful weapon attack says you add the same ability modifier to the damage roll that you used for the attack roll. This rule does not limit how many times on your turn you can do this, it just says that you do it. So, unless a more specific rule says otherwise, this is what you do. The rules for two-weapon fighting say that the bonus action attack you make does not add your ability modifier. So, this becomes the standard for the bonus attack from two-weapon fighting. Even MORE specific is if you're dual-wielding and you have the Two-Weapon Fighting style, say from being a Fighter or a Ranger. Then you get to add the ability modifier to the bonus action attack from TWF. So you went from general rule for damage rolls, to the specific rule for two-weapon fighting, to the more specific rule about two-weapon fighting WITH the Two-Weapon Fighting style, and OMG why did they have to give those the same name.
As an aside, note that there are other features that let you make an attack as a bonus action, such as the butt-end attack from the Polearm Master feat, or the bonus attack from Great Weapon Master if you scored a critical hit or dropped a creature to 0 HP on your turn. These attacks DO add your ability modifier, since nothing in the specific rule granting them says you don't add it, so the general rule about rolling weapon damage applies. Some people get confused and think the TWF rule about the bonus action attack applies to all bonus action attacks, it doesn't.