Two weapon fighting.. some clarification plz..

[Kerilstrasz]

I m 99% sure that the answer is no... but just to be on the safe side..


When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add
your ability modifier to the damage o f the second attack.

When it sais "when you engage in twp", it means when using this:

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 o f the bonus
attack, unless that modifier is negative.
If either weapon has the thrown property, you
can throw the weapon, instead o f making a melee
attack with it.

Or weilding a shortsword & a hand crossbow with this feat:

Thanks to extensive practice with the crossbow, you
gain the following benefits:
• You ignore the loading quality o f crossbows with
which you are proficient.
• Being within 5 feet o f a hostile creature doesn’t
impose disadvantage on your ranged attack rolls.
• When you use the Attack action and attack with a one-
handed weapon, you can use a bonus action to attack
with a loaded hand crossbow you are holding.
qualifies too???

Thank you for your time :smallwink:

[Townopolis]

TWF style does not apply to attacks gained from Crossbow Expert. The only fighting style that would apply to that attack is Archery.

[Callin]

It is also debated that it is not technically twf and as such allows your mod.

Edit- unless that was cleared up in a tweet I missed

[MeeposFire]

The only bonus action attack that does not get an attribute bonus to damage is two weapon fighting. All others by default do such as polearm secondary attacks, crossbow expert, etc.

Also note that the ability says "you may add your ability modifier" which by a strict meaning would not apply to any attack that already gets an ability modifier to damage since it already has one and therefor is redundant (you have already chosen to add it) rather than how most think of it as being a bonus based on your attribute. That can be seen as being a subtle but important distinction.

[Kerilstrasz]

Yes.. quite was i was thinking.. thank you..


The only bonus action attack that does not get an attribute bonus to damage is two weapon fighting. All others by default do such as polearm secondary attacks, crossbow expert, etc.

By the way.. smthing more that i found no clear answer in phb...

On which kind of attacks you add you ability mod to damage "by default" ??

Mellee attacks with 1 handed: Yes STR or Yes (STR or DEX if finesse)
Mellee attacks with 2 handed: Yes Str , not 1,5 times as 3,5 (now you just use the higher dmg die from versatility)
Ranged attacks with 1 or 2 handed: ??????
Ranged attacks with spell : No unless a feature or trait specifies otherwise (like warlocks agonising blast )

As always, thank you for your time :smallwink:

[CrusaderJoe]

Yes.. quite was i was thinking.. thank you..



By the way.. smthing more that i found no clear answer in phb...

On which kind of attacks you add you ability mod to damage "by default" ??

Mellee attacks with 1 handed: Yes STR or Yes (STR or DEX if finesse)
Mellee attacks with 2 handed: Yes Str , not 1,5 times as 3,5 (now you just use the higher dmg die from versatility)
Ranged attacks with 1 or 2 handed: ??????
Ranged attacks with spell : No unless a feature or trait specifies otherwise (like warlocks agonising blast )

As always, thank you for your time :smallwink:

You may add your Str or Dex mod to ranged thrown weapons as normal. Doesn't matter the handiness. The mod you use is determined by the weapon. A spear would always be strength while a finesse weapon such as a dagger could be strength or dexterity.

[Kerilstrasz]

bows, crossbows? no ability mod as usual?

[Myzz]

You may add your Str or Dex mod to ranged thrown weapons as normal. Doesn't matter the handiness. The mod you use is determined by the weapon. A spear would always be strength while a finesse weapon such as a dagger could be strength or dexterity.

even if using the ranged attack as TWF bonus action? I'd say no dmg mod on whichever attack was the bonus action...

[Callin]

You add your Dex to damage with ranged attacks.

edit to answer Myzz. You would only get the ability mod to damage if you had the TWF style. Because throwing a dagger with your offhand DOES count as TWF.

[CrusaderJoe]

even if using the ranged attack as TWF bonus action? I'd say no dmg mod on whichever attack was the bonus action...
Well yeah, of course you wouldn't. That falls on the Two-Weapon Fighting rules. But as a base option, running around a fight and such, you can throw a dagger and add str or Dex mod.