Can You Dual Wield Scimitars in 5e? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), you can dual wield scimitars, provided your character meets the necessary requirements. Dual wielding in 5e, however, isn’t quite as straightforward as grabbing two swords and going to town. You’ll need to understand the rules surrounding Two-Weapon Fighting to effectively cleave your way through hordes of goblins.
The key lies in the “light” property of weapons. The Two-Weapon Fighting rule states that to attack with a second weapon, both weapons must have the light property. Scimitars do indeed possess this trait. This means your rogue, ranger, or even a creatively built fighter can become a whirlwind of blades!
Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of dual wielding scimitars and explore the nuances of this exciting combat style.
Understanding the Two-Weapon Fighting Rules
The foundation of dual wielding in 5e is the Two-Weapon Fighting rule, found in the Player’s Handbook. This rule essentially states:
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. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.
Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:
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Attack Action: You must take the Attack action on your turn to trigger the opportunity for a bonus action attack. This means no spells or other actions can take its place.
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Light Melee Weapon: As mentioned, both weapons you are using must have the light property. Scimitars fit this bill perfectly. Other common light weapons include daggers, shortswords, handaxes, and light hammers.
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Bonus Action: The second attack, the one with the off-hand weapon, costs your bonus action. Managing your bonus action is crucial for any character, but especially so for dual wielders.
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Ability Modifier: Without any feats or class features, you do not add your ability modifier (typically Strength or Dexterity) to the damage of the bonus action attack. This is a significant limitation and makes dual wielding less appealing at lower levels.
Optimizing Your Dual Wielding Scimitar Build
While dual wielding scimitars is possible, making it effective requires careful planning and resource management. Here are a few tips for optimizing your build:
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The Dual Wielder Feat: This feat is almost essential for any serious dual wielder. It provides several benefits:
- You can use non-light weapons for two-weapon fighting. While this doesn’t directly affect scimitars (which are light), it opens up options for later game builds.
- You get a +1 bonus to Armor Class (AC) while wielding a separate weapon in each hand. This is a welcome defensive boost.
- You can draw or stow two one-handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one. This helps prevent action economy bottlenecks.
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Fighting Style: Two-Weapon Fighting: This fighting style, available to Fighters and Rangers, allows you to add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus action attack, significantly boosting your damage output.
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Rogue (Swashbuckler): The Swashbuckler subclass of Rogue excels at hit-and-run tactics and benefits greatly from the extra attack provided by dual wielding.
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Stats: Focus on Dexterity, as scimitars are finesse weapons, allowing you to use Dexterity for attack and damage rolls. Also, constitution is always useful.
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Magic Items: Look for magic scimitars! A pair of +1 scimitars can make a world of difference, as can weapons with additional effects like inflicting poison or dealing extra elemental damage.
The Allure of the Double-Bladed Scimitar (and Why it’s Different)
It’s important to distinguish between dual wielding two scimitars and using a double-bladed scimitar. The latter is a unique weapon, often associated with the Valenar elves. It functions differently from regular dual wielding and has its own specific rules.
The double-bladed scimitar does not utilize the Two-Weapon Fighting rule. Instead, it grants you a special attack as a bonus action if you used the Attack action to attack with it. This attack deals less damage (1d4 instead of 1d6), but it doesn’t rely on the “light” weapon property or the Two-Weapon Fighting style.
FAQs: Dual Wielding Scimitars in 5e
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the intricacies of dual wielding scimitars in 5e:
1. Can I use a shield in one hand and a scimitar in the other?
No, you cannot use a shield while engaging in Two-Weapon Fighting. To gain the bonus action attack from Two-Weapon Fighting, you must be wielding a light melee weapon in both hands. A shield occupies a hand, preventing you from wielding a second weapon.
2. Does the Dual Wielder feat allow me to dual wield longswords?
Yes, the Dual Wielder feat removes the light weapon restriction for Two-Weapon Fighting. With this feat, you can dual wield longswords, rapiers, or any other one-handed melee weapon.
3. Can I dual wield scimitars if I’m not proficient in them?
No, you must be proficient in both scimitars to wield them effectively. If you’re not proficient, you’ll have disadvantage on attack rolls.
4. If I have the Extra Attack feature, can I attack more than twice in a turn while dual wielding?
The Extra Attack feature allows you to attack multiple times when you take the Attack action. However, dual wielding only grants you one additional attack as a bonus action, regardless of how many attacks you make with your Attack action.
5. Do I need to declare that I’m dual wielding at the start of my turn?
No, you don’t need to declare that you’re dual wielding. As long as you meet the requirements (light weapons, taking the Attack action), you can use your bonus action to make the off-hand attack.
6. Can I use Sneak Attack with a scimitar as a Rogue?
Yes, scimitars are finesse weapons, meaning you can use Dexterity for attack rolls. As long as you meet the other conditions for Sneak Attack (advantage on the attack roll or an ally adjacent to the target), you can apply Sneak Attack damage.
7. What happens if I drop one of my scimitars during combat?
If you drop one of your scimitars, you can no longer make the bonus action attack granted by Two-Weapon Fighting, as you are no longer wielding a light melee weapon in both hands. You would need to use your action to pick it back up or draw another weapon.
8. Can I throw one of my scimitars and still make the bonus action attack?
No, if you throw one of your scimitars, you are no longer wielding a light melee weapon in both hands. The Two-Weapon Fighting bonus action attack requires you to be holding a light melee weapon in each hand.
9. Is it better to dual wield scimitars or use a two-handed weapon?
The answer depends on your character build and playstyle. Dual wielding offers more opportunities for hitting and potentially applying status effects, while two-handed weapons typically deal more damage per hit. The Dual Wielder feat can really help close the gap in damage.
10. Can a Paladin benefit from dual wielding scimitars?
Yes, a Paladin can benefit from dual wielding, especially if they take the Two-Weapon Fighting style. The extra attack provides more opportunities to apply Divine Smite, potentially dealing significant burst damage. However, Paladins often have other bonus action options (like casting spells), so it’s important to consider the opportunity cost.
11. Can I use the Great Weapon Master feat with a scimitar?
No, the Great Weapon Master feat only applies to heavy weapons wielded with two hands. Scimitars are light weapons and are not wielded with two hands (unless you are improvising).
12. How does dual wielding interact with opportunity attacks?
You can only make one opportunity attack per round. Even if you’re dual wielding, you can’t make two opportunity attacks.
13. Are there any magic items that specifically enhance dual wielding?
Yes, there are magic items that enhance dual wielding. Some magic items can grant additional damage or effects when wielding two weapons. Keep an eye out for those!
14. Can I multiclass to improve my dual wielding abilities?
Yes, multiclassing can enhance your dual wielding. Dipping into Fighter for the Two-Weapon Fighting style, or into Rogue for Sneak Attack damage, can significantly boost your effectiveness.
15. Is dual wielding scimitars a viable build for all classes?
While theoretically possible for most classes, dual wielding scimitars is most effective for classes that can benefit from the extra attack and manage their bonus actions effectively. Rogues, Rangers, and Fighters are generally the best choices for a dual-wielding build.
Conclusion: Slice and Dice Your Way to Victory
Dual wielding scimitars in 5e is a fun and flavorful combat style that can be surprisingly effective with the right build and strategy. While it may require more investment than other combat styles, the feeling of becoming a whirlwind of blades is incredibly rewarding. So, grab your scimitars, embrace the Two-Weapon Fighting rules, and carve your legend into the annals of D&D history!
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