Does it matter which weapon I attack with first when two-weapon fighting?

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The PHB on p. 195 (or the corresponding section of the basic rules) says:




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.




The rules do not make a distinction between "main-hand" and "off-hand" weapons.



My character dual wields a shortsword with her right hand and a dagger with her left hand.



Could my character attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + STR/DEX mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage?



Does it matter which weapon I attack with first when two-weapon fighting?










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    The PHB on p. 195 (or the corresponding section of the basic rules) says:




    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.




    The rules do not make a distinction between "main-hand" and "off-hand" weapons.



    My character dual wields a shortsword with her right hand and a dagger with her left hand.



    Could my character attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + STR/DEX mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage?



    Does it matter which weapon I attack with first when two-weapon fighting?










    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite











      The PHB on p. 195 (or the corresponding section of the basic rules) says:




      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.




      The rules do not make a distinction between "main-hand" and "off-hand" weapons.



      My character dual wields a shortsword with her right hand and a dagger with her left hand.



      Could my character attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + STR/DEX mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage?



      Does it matter which weapon I attack with first when two-weapon fighting?










      share|improve this question















      The PHB on p. 195 (or the corresponding section of the basic rules) says:




      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.




      The rules do not make a distinction between "main-hand" and "off-hand" weapons.



      My character dual wields a shortsword with her right hand and a dagger with her left hand.



      Could my character attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + STR/DEX mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage?



      Does it matter which weapon I attack with first when two-weapon fighting?







      dnd-5e two-weapon-fighting






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      edited Sep 22 at 21:11









      Rubiksmoose

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      asked Sep 22 at 17:31









      Brian

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          There is no difference which hand you attack with first in general




          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. (PHB 195)




          There is no distinction between a main and an off-hand in 5e unlike in previous editions. Thus, attacking with either left or right hand first does not matter.



          With different weapons in each hand it could matter, but only in the case where one weapon offers a higher ability bonus to add to the attack (since only the first attack gets the ability bonus added to it). In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



          In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both the weapons are finesse and thus it doesn't matter which one you add your Dex/Str bonus to, it will be the same. Thus, she could absolutely attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + Str/Dex mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage.






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            1 Answer
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            active

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            1 Answer
            1






            active

            oldest

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            active

            oldest

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            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            14
            down vote



            accepted










            There is no difference which hand you attack with first in general




            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. (PHB 195)




            There is no distinction between a main and an off-hand in 5e unlike in previous editions. Thus, attacking with either left or right hand first does not matter.



            With different weapons in each hand it could matter, but only in the case where one weapon offers a higher ability bonus to add to the attack (since only the first attack gets the ability bonus added to it). In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



            In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both the weapons are finesse and thus it doesn't matter which one you add your Dex/Str bonus to, it will be the same. Thus, she could absolutely attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + Str/Dex mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage.






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              14
              down vote



              accepted










              There is no difference which hand you attack with first in general




              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. (PHB 195)




              There is no distinction between a main and an off-hand in 5e unlike in previous editions. Thus, attacking with either left or right hand first does not matter.



              With different weapons in each hand it could matter, but only in the case where one weapon offers a higher ability bonus to add to the attack (since only the first attack gets the ability bonus added to it). In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



              In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both the weapons are finesse and thus it doesn't matter which one you add your Dex/Str bonus to, it will be the same. Thus, she could absolutely attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + Str/Dex mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                14
                down vote



                accepted







                up vote
                14
                down vote



                accepted






                There is no difference which hand you attack with first in general




                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. (PHB 195)




                There is no distinction between a main and an off-hand in 5e unlike in previous editions. Thus, attacking with either left or right hand first does not matter.



                With different weapons in each hand it could matter, but only in the case where one weapon offers a higher ability bonus to add to the attack (since only the first attack gets the ability bonus added to it). In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



                In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both the weapons are finesse and thus it doesn't matter which one you add your Dex/Str bonus to, it will be the same. Thus, she could absolutely attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + Str/Dex mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage.






                share|improve this answer














                There is no difference which hand you attack with first in general




                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. (PHB 195)




                There is no distinction between a main and an off-hand in 5e unlike in previous editions. Thus, attacking with either left or right hand first does not matter.



                With different weapons in each hand it could matter, but only in the case where one weapon offers a higher ability bonus to add to the attack (since only the first attack gets the ability bonus added to it). In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



                In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both the weapons are finesse and thus it doesn't matter which one you add your Dex/Str bonus to, it will be the same. Thus, she could absolutely attack with her left hand dagger first, doing 1d4 + Str/Dex mod damage, then attack with her right hand shortsword, doing 1d6 damage.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Sep 22 at 21:13

























                answered Sep 22 at 17:34









                Rubiksmoose

                39.1k5192297




                39.1k5192297



























                     

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