[RPG] Drawing a second weapon as part of an attack

actionsdnd-5etwo-weapon-fightingweapons

Consider a 1st level Rogue who wants to fight with two shortswords using Two-Weapon Fighting (PHB p.195) but does not have the Dual Wielder Feat.

Starting off empty-handed, is the following possible?

Round 1)
Free Interaction: Draw first shortsword
Action: Attack with first shortsword

Round 2)
Free Interaction: Draw second shortsword
Action: Attack with first shortsword
Bonus: Attack with second shortsword

Rounds 3+)
Continue happily attacking with both weapons

Or do I need to "Use an Object" on the first round to prep for the Two-Weapon Fighting?

Best Answer

It works

In the Player's Handbook (p. 193), the Use an Object action is described as follows:

You normally interact with an object while doing something else, such as when you draw a sword as part of an attack. When an object requires your action for its use, you take the Use an Object action. This action is also useful when you want to interact with more than one object on your turn.

As per the Other Activity on Your Turn section of the Player's Handbook (p. 190):

You can also interact with one object or feature of the environment for free, during either your move or your action. For example. you could open a door during your move as you stride toward a foe, or you could draw your weapon as part of the same action you use to attack.

If you want to interact with a second object, you need to use your action.

You get one free object interaction per turn, which in this case could be used on your first turn to draw your first weapon, then you could attack with it. On your second turn you could then draw your second weapon as your free object interaction and engage in Two Weapon Fighting using your action and bonus action for two attacks. On the third turn, as you say you could happily continue attacking with both weapons.

On your first turn, you could instead use your free object interaction and your action (as Use an Object) to draw both of your weapons, then attack with both on your second turn, but this makes you lose one attack and there's no need to do it this way.

If you had the Dual Wielder feat, you could draw and attack with both on your first turn.

Related Topic