[RPG] How does the Dual Wielder feat interact with versatile weapons

combatdnd-5efeatstwo-weapon-fightingweapons

I have a level 4 Paladin with the Dual Wielder feat (PHB p. 165):

You master fighting with two weapons, gaining the following benefits:

  • You gain a +1 bonus to AC while you are wielding a separate melee
    weapon in each hand.
  • You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one-handed melee
    weapons you are wielding aren't light.
  • You can draw or stow two one-handed weapons when you would normally
    be able to draw or stow only one.

He does not have the Two-Weapon Fighting fighting style. He is wielding a longsword in one hand and a handaxe in his other (a thrown weapon).

Can the paladin throw the handaxe, switch grips on the longsword to hold it two-handed, and then use his bonus action from Two-Weapon Fighting to swing the longsword as a two-handed weapon?

If yes, can he then end his turn by drawing another handaxe (2nd free object interaction for Dual Wielder, and assuming he has another axe to draw)?

Best Answer

No

But the argument is not so straightforward.

The problem with this question is that the RAW are murky enough to allow for some leeway in interpretation. Going by RAI, the intention was clearly to use Two-Weapon Fighting with one-handed weapons, and not game the system by attacking with a versatile weapon while holding it in two hands, arguing that it still counts as a one-handed weapon for the Dual Wielder feat.

The Rules

Dual Wielder

You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one-handed melee weapons you are wielding aren’t light.

While this qualifies the longsword for two-weapon fighting, the Versatile property states that:

Versatile

This weapon can be used with one or two hands. A damage value in parentheses appears with the property—the damage when the weapon is used with two hands to make a melee attack.

This explicitly states the need to use both hands to make a two-handed attack and use the bigger weapon dice, thus disqualifying this use case from the Dual Wielder requirement (one-handed melee weapons).

The Conclusion

While you can use a thrown handaxe and then attack with the longsword, you can only do so using the one-handed dice the Versatile weapon tag provides.

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