Two-Weapon Fighting and Extra Attack: A Deep Dive into D&D 5e Combat

Yes, you can absolutely combine Two-Weapon Fighting (TWF) with Extra Attack in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, but the mechanics and resulting number of attacks can be a little confusing. Extra Attack and Two-Weapon Fighting are two distinct features that interact in a specific way. Extra Attack grants you additional attacks when you take the Attack action, while Two-Weapon Fighting allows you to make a bonus action attack if you’ve attacked with a light melee weapon during your Attack action. Therefore, a character with Extra Attack who engages in Two-Weapon Fighting can potentially make more attacks in a single turn.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

To fully grasp how these mechanics work together, it’s crucial to understand each one individually:

Extra Attack

This feature, typically gained by martial classes like Fighters and Rangers, grants you the ability to make multiple attacks when you take the Attack action. For example, a 5th-level Fighter with Extra Attack can attack twice instead of once. This number increases as the character levels up in that specific class, typically reaching three attacks at 11th level and four at 20th level. The key here is that Extra Attack only functions when you take the Attack action.

Two-Weapon Fighting

The Two-Weapon Fighting rules are fairly straightforward. When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you’re holding in the other hand. Importantly, you do not add your ability modifier to the damage roll of the bonus action attack, unless you have the Two-Weapon Fighting fighting style. Note that drawing and stowing weapons are also actions to consider.

Combining Extra Attack and Two-Weapon Fighting

Here’s where it gets interesting. If you have Extra Attack and meet the requirements for Two-Weapon Fighting (attacking with a light melee weapon as part of your Attack action), you can utilize both features in the same turn.

Here’s a typical scenario:

1. Attack Action: A 5th-level Fighter with Extra Attack takes the Attack action. They attack twice with a light melee weapon (e.g., shortsword).

2. Bonus Action (Two-Weapon Fighting): Because they attacked with a light melee weapon during their Attack action, they can use their bonus action to make an additional attack with a different light melee weapon.

In this case, the Fighter makes a total of three attacks: two from Extra Attack and one from Two-Weapon Fighting. Keep in mind that you only get one bonus action per turn, so you can only make one additional attack from Two-Weapon Fighting, regardless of how many attacks you make with Extra Attack.

Important Considerations

• Light Weapons: The standard Two-Weapon Fighting rules require the use of light weapons in both hands. This restriction can limit your weapon choices.
• Dual Wielder Feat: The Dual Wielder feat removes the light weapon requirement, allowing you to use any one-handed melee weapon for Two-Weapon Fighting. It also grants a +1 bonus to AC while wielding a separate weapon in each hand.
• Fighting Style (Two-Weapon Fighting): This fighting style allows you to add your ability modifier to the damage roll of the bonus action attack made through Two-Weapon Fighting. This significantly increases the damage output of a TWF build.
• Action Economy: Remember that Two-Weapon Fighting uses your bonus action. You’ll need to consider whether other features or spells that utilize your bonus action might be more beneficial in certain situations. This is a critical element for optimal combat efficiency in D&D 5e.

Maximizing Two-Weapon Fighting with Extra Attack

To get the most out of this combination, consider the following tips:

• Choose the Right Class and Subclass: Classes like Fighter (especially the Battle Master or Samurai subclasses), Ranger (Hunter or Gloom Stalker), and Rogue (Assassin or Thief) can benefit greatly from TWF builds, either through Extra Attack, fighting styles, or class-specific features.
• Prioritize Dexterity (or Strength): Your Dexterity (or Strength) modifier is crucial for both attack rolls and damage rolls. Make sure to invest in this stat to improve your accuracy and damage output.
• Acquire the Dual Wielder Feat: If you want to use non-light weapons or gain the AC bonus, the Dual Wielder feat is essential.
• Consider Magic Items: Magic weapons can significantly enhance your damage output and provide additional benefits. Look for weapons that grant bonus damage, additional effects, or other advantages.

Two-Weapon Fighting, when combined with Extra Attack, can be a viable and effective combat strategy in D&D 5e. By understanding the rules and optimizing your character build, you can create a powerful and versatile character. This strategic depth helps enhance the appeal of D&D and supports many of the educational objectives of the Games Learning Society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Extra Attack apply to Two-Weapon Fighting?

Yes, but indirectly. Extra Attack provides multiple attacks when you take the Attack action, and Two-Weapon Fighting allows you to make an additional attack with a bonus action after taking the Attack action.

2. Can you dual wield with Extra Attack using non-light weapons?

Not without the Dual Wielder feat. The standard Two-Weapon Fighting rules require light weapons.

3. How many attacks do you get with Two-Weapon Fighting and Extra Attack?

With Extra Attack (two attacks) and Two-Weapon Fighting (one bonus action attack), you can make a total of three attacks in a turn. A Fighter at level 11 with 3 Extra Attacks will still only be able to make 4 attacks in a turn if they also use Two-Weapon Fighting, because the rules only allow for 1 bonus action per turn.

4. Can you use Extra Attack with different weapons?

Yes. The Extra Attack feature does not specify which weapons you must use for your attacks. You can mix and match as you see fit.

5. Can you use Multiattack and Extra Attack?

No. Multiattack is a special action used by monsters, not the Attack action. Extra Attack only applies when you take the Attack action.

6. Can you use Two-Weapon Fighting with Sneak Attack?

Yes. A Rogue can use Sneak Attack once per turn. If you miss with your initial attack, you can still apply Sneak Attack to the bonus action attack granted by Two-Weapon Fighting, provided you meet the requirements (advantage on the attack roll, or an ally within 5 feet of the target).

7. What is the Two-Weapon Fighting rule?

When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus action attack unless you have the Two-Weapon Fighting style.

8. Can you attack twice with light weapons without Extra Attack?

No. You only get the bonus action attack from Two-Weapon Fighting if you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon. Without Extra Attack, you only make one attack with the Attack action, followed by the bonus action attack.

9. Is Two-Weapon Fighting a good combat style?

Two-Weapon Fighting can be a viable option, especially with the Dual Wielder feat and the Two-Weapon Fighting style. It offers a balanced approach between damage output and defensive capabilities, more damage than sword and board but less defence. GamesLearningSociety.org explores various strategic elements like this within complex systems, showcasing the educational value of understanding these mechanics.

10. Can I Extra Attack with a spell attack like Green-Flame Blade or Booming Blade?

No. Casting Green-Flame Blade or Booming Blade is the Cast a Spell action, not taking the Attack Action, which is required for Extra Attack to activate. Therefore, it gives only one attack, regardless of the normal amount of attacks you are normally able to make with the attack action.

11. Can you move between Extra Attacks?

Yes. You can break up your movement between attacks granted by Extra Attack.

12. Can you use Two-Weapon Fighting with a shield?

No. Two-Weapon Fighting requires you to be holding two weapons, each in a different hand, and specifically relies on a bonus action to attack using a light weapon held in the other hand. A shield occupies one hand, preventing you from meeting these requirements.

13. Can you attack twice with a shortsword using Extra Attack, then throw it?

You can attack twice with the shortsword as part of Extra Attack if you are holding it in your hand. You could then draw another shortsword, and then throw it as a bonus action from Two-Weapon Fighting rules, since the shortsword also has the thrown property.

14. Does Two-Weapon Fighting work with natural weapons?

Generally, no. The Two-Weapon Fighting rules are designed for wielded weapons, not natural attacks. Natural attacks also don’t benefit from extra attacks.

15. Can I use a crossbow in Two-Weapon Fighting?

No. Two-Weapon Fighting specifically requires attacking with melee weapons. A crossbow is a ranged weapon.

By mastering these mechanics, you can enhance your gameplay experience and contribute to a deeper understanding of the strategic elements within D&D 5e. The Games Learning Society encourages the exploration of these complex systems and their educational value.