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

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I'm playing D&D 5e. 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?



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.



If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.




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






dnd-5e two-weapon-fighting







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    I'm playing D&D 5e. 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?



    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.



    If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.




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






    dnd-5e two-weapon-fighting







    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    Brian is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      up vote
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      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      I'm playing D&D 5e. 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?



      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.



      If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.




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






      dnd-5e two-weapon-fighting







      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Brian is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      I'm playing D&D 5e. 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?



      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.



      If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it.




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






      dnd-5e two-weapon-fighting




      dnd-5e two-weapon-fighting






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      Brian is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      edited 10 mins ago









      V2Blast

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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. In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



          In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both 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




            I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
            – M. Vienneau
            1 hour ago






          • 1




            @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
            – Rubiksmoose
            1 hour ago










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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. In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



          In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both 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


















          • 1




            I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
            – M. Vienneau
            1 hour ago






          • 1




            @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
            – Rubiksmoose
            1 hour ago














          up vote
          4
          down vote













          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. In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



          In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both 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


















          • 1




            I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
            – M. Vienneau
            1 hour ago






          • 1




            @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
            – Rubiksmoose
            1 hour ago












          up vote
          4
          down vote










          up vote
          4
          down vote









          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. In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



          In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both 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. In that case, you would want to use that hand/weapon first.



          In your case specifically, it doesn't matter because both 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 1 hour ago

























          answered 1 hour ago









          Rubiksmoose

          38.1k5189292




          38.1k5189292







          • 1




            I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
            – M. Vienneau
            1 hour ago






          • 1




            @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
            – Rubiksmoose
            1 hour ago












          • 1




            I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
            – M. Vienneau
            1 hour ago






          • 1




            @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
            – Rubiksmoose
            1 hour ago







          1




          1




          I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
          – M. Vienneau
          1 hour ago




          I think you mean "yes" based on how the question was phrased.
          – M. Vienneau
          1 hour ago




          1




          1




          @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
          – Rubiksmoose
          1 hour ago




          @M.Vienneau fixed. Thanks.
          – Rubiksmoose
          1 hour ago










          Brian is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









           

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