[RPG] use a torch to make a bonus action attack

bonus-actiondnd-5eequipmentrogue

A torch has a melee attack which deals 1 fire damage.

Torch: A torch burns for 1 hour, providing bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. If you make a melee attack with a burning torch and hit, it deals 1 fire damage.

Can I, a thief rogue with a shortsword in my other hand, use that attack as a bonus action in any way, perhaps with my Fast Hands feature or Two-weapon Fighting?

Best Answer

Fast hands would not work, but per the two weapon fighting rules:

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.

Also, per the improvised weapon rules:

Often, an improvised weapon is similar to an actual weapon and can be treated as such. For example, a table leg is akin to a club.

And a club is listed on the weapons table as a light melee weapon. However: a club is two pounds while a torch is one pound (if desired, this Q&A illuminates using a torch as an improvised weapon).

Avoiding the brilliant pun of a torch clearly being a 'light' weapon, you might instead get the bright idea to ask your DM if you could just use a lit table leg as a torch ;)

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