Does Great Weapon Fighting Apply to All Damage? A Deep Dive
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The short answer, referencing Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e) rules as written (RAW), is yes, conditionally. Great Weapon Fighting (GWF) allows you to reroll damage dice when you roll a 1 or 2 on damage dice for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands. The crucial word here is “dice.” It does not specify only the weapon’s damage dice. It applies to any damage dice rolled as part of that attack.
This means that, technically, GWF applies to all damage dice rolled as part of a qualifying attack, not just those from the weapon itself. This includes damage from features like Sneak Attack (for a Rogue multiclassed into Fighter or Paladin), Hunter’s Mark (for a Ranger multiclassed), Divine Smite (for a Paladin), or even spells like Hex. If you are wielding a two-handed melee weapon and roll a 1 or 2 on any of those damage dice, you can reroll them.
However, many Dungeon Masters (DMs) interpret this rule differently, often limiting GWF to only the weapon’s damage dice. This is because allowing GWF to apply to all damage dice can significantly increase damage output, especially for characters with access to multiple damage-dealing features. Always clarify your DM’s interpretation before relying on this interaction.
Let’s delve deeper and clarify some common misconceptions surrounding the Great Weapon Fighting style.
Understanding the Nuances of Great Weapon Fighting
It’s essential to distinguish between the Great Weapon Fighting fighting style and the Great Weapon Master feat. They are distinct, and often confused, which can lead to misinterpretations of their effects. GWF is a fighting style chosen by Fighters and Paladins, while GWM is a feat anyone can select (assuming they meet the prerequisites).
RAW vs. RAI: The Heart of the Debate
The RAW reading is clear: reroll any 1 or 2 on damage dice. However, many argue that the rules as intended (RAI) are that GWF only applies to the weapon’s damage dice. This argument stems from the idea that the fighting style is designed to improve the consistency of damage dealt by the weapon, not to augment other sources of damage.
This disparity between RAW and RAI often leads to table variation. Some DMs embrace the RAW reading, allowing for potent damage combinations, while others adhere to a stricter interpretation, limiting GWF to weapon damage only. The most important thing is consistency within your group.
Factors Affecting GWF’s Effectiveness
Several factors can influence how effective GWF is in practice:
- Weapon Choice: Weapons like the greatsword (2d6) benefit more from GWF than weapons like the greataxe (1d12), as there are two chances to roll a 1 or 2 on the dice. The more dice you roll, the more chances you have to reroll a low number.
- Damage Bonuses: The more damage dice you add (e.g., through Sneak Attack or Divine Smite), the more significant the potential benefit of GWF becomes – if your DM allows it to apply to all damage dice.
- DM Interpretation: As mentioned, the DM’s ruling on whether GWF applies to all damage dice is the single most important factor.
Great Weapon Fighting: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the ins and outs of Great Weapon Fighting:
1. Does Great Weapon Fighting apply to damage from a Flame Tongue weapon?
Yes, GWF does apply to the fire damage dice from a Flame Tongue weapon, assuming you are wielding it with two hands. Because the fire damage is rolled as dice, it meets the qualifications.
2. Does Great Weapon Fighting apply to Sneak Attack damage?
According to RAW, yes, GWF applies to Sneak Attack damage if you’re wielding a two-handed melee weapon and roll a 1 or 2 on any of the Sneak Attack damage dice. However, many DMs disallow this interaction.
3. Does Great Weapon Fighting work with Divine Smite?
Potentially, yes, GWF can apply to the damage dice rolled for Divine Smite, given you meet the requirements for a two-handed weapon and your DM agrees with a RAW interpretation.
4. Is Great Weapon Fighting better with a greatsword or a greataxe?
Generally, a greatsword (2d6) is considered slightly better for GWF than a greataxe (1d12). This is because the greatsword has two dice, providing more opportunities to reroll a 1 or 2. You have a higher chance of influencing the roll to be a better number.
5. Can you reroll a 1 in Great Weapon Fighting?
Yes, you can reroll a 1 (or a 2) on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands. You must use the new roll, even if it’s another 1 or 2.
6. What’s the average damage increase from Great Weapon Fighting?
The average damage increase from GWF is relatively small, often estimated around +1 to +1.5 damage per attack with a greatsword. This value can fluctuate based on your DM’s interpretation of the feature.
7. Does Great Weapon Fighting apply to bonus action attacks?
Yes, GWF applies to any attack that meets the two-handed weapon requirement, including bonus action attacks granted by feats or class features.
8. Does Great Weapon Fighting affect critical hits?
GWF does not directly affect critical hits. It only allows you to reroll 1s and 2s on the damage dice. Critical hits double the number of dice rolled, not the values after rerolling.
9. How does Great Weapon Fighting interact with other damage-boosting features?
The interaction depends on your DM’s interpretation. If GWF applies to all damage dice, it synergizes well with features like Sneak Attack, Hunter’s Mark, and Divine Smite, amplifying their damage potential.
10. Is Great Weapon Fighting worth taking as a fighting style?
The value of GWF depends on your build and playstyle. It’s most effective for characters who consistently use two-handed melee weapons and have access to additional damage dice. However, other fighting styles, like Dueling, might provide a more consistent damage boost.
11. Does Great Weapon Fighting apply to the extra damage die from a Half-Orc’s Savage Attacks?
If the DM interprets GWF as applying to all damage dice, then yes, it would apply to the extra damage die rolled due to the Half-Orc’s Savage Attacks feature on a critical hit.
12. If you are wielding a versatile weapon in two hands, do you get the benefits of the Great Weapon Fighting style?
Yes, if you are wielding a versatile weapon (like a longsword or warhammer) in two hands, you qualify for the benefits of the Great Weapon Fighting style, provided all other conditions (like rolling a 1 or 2 on a damage die) are met.
13. What if the new roll is also a 1 or a 2 when using Great Weapon Fighting?
You must use the new roll. Even if you reroll a 1 and get another 1 or 2, you cannot reroll again. You are stuck with the new result.
14. Can Great Weapon Fighting reroll damage from magical effects that aren’t spells or weapons?
This is where it gets tricky. If a magical effect causes you to roll damage dice, and you are wielding a two-handed weapon, the RAW says yes. But it’s highly subject to DM interpretation. The spirit of GWF leans toward benefitting weapon attacks, not all magical damage.
15. Where can I learn more about the intersection of gaming and education?
You can explore resources and connect with educators and researchers interested in game-based learning at the Games Learning Society, available online at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization provides valuable insights into the educational applications of gaming.
Final Thoughts
Great Weapon Fighting can be a powerful tool in the hands of a savvy player, provided they understand its nuances and potential limitations. Always clarify your DM’s interpretation of the rules to avoid any confusion or disappointment during gameplay. The flexibility in interpreting the feature is the biggest source of the misunderstandings associated with it.