A rogue proficient in rapiers and long swords has a rapier and a longsword+1 in their inventory. Why does the rapier appear to be better? The main difference that I can see is that it’s a finesse weapon - and therefore can apply sneak attack damage - but I’m not sure why the damage and attack would be higher than a +1 longsword. What am I missing?
To clarify a finesse weaopn like a rapier you have the OPTION to use your dex ability modifier (and the DnD beyond character sheets quite sensibly assume you want to use the higher). I high strength low dex fighter would be able to fight with arapier using strength.
Yeah if, like it should, D&D Beyond would give user the choice of using STR or DEX modifier when equipping a Finesse weapon, then ChaosResolution would have known about the discrepency.
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Hi,
A rogue proficient in rapiers and long swords has a rapier and a longsword+1 in their inventory. Why does the rapier appear to be better? The main difference that I can see is that it’s a finesse weapon - and therefore can apply sneak attack damage - but I’m not sure why the damage and attack would be higher than a +1 longsword. What am I missing?
https://i.imgur.com/MTRSZdT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MHUgZES.jpg
Because Rapier uses your Dex modifier while the longsword uses Str modifier.
Breakdown
Rapier +3 to hit and damage from dexterity and +2 to hit from proficiency. Total +5 to hit and +3 to damage.
Longsword +1 to hit and damage from magic. +1 to hit and damage from strength. +2 to hit from proficiency. Total +4 to hit and +2 to damage.
Thank you!
The rapier and longsword use different ability modifier for attack and damage because of the Finesse weapon property.
To clarify a finesse weaopn like a rapier you have the OPTION to use your dex ability modifier (and the DnD beyond character sheets quite sensibly assume you want to use the higher). I high strength low dex fighter would be able to fight with arapier using strength.
Yeah if, like it should, D&D Beyond would give user the choice of using STR or DEX modifier when equipping a Finesse weapon, then ChaosResolution would have known about the discrepency.