[RPG] What weapon combination gives the highest DPR on the character

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My Halfling Hexblade Warlock 1 / Eldritch Knight Fighter 3 has come across two magic weapons:

  • a longsword of life stealing (3d6 necrotic damage extra on crit)
  • a +1 longsword.

What weapon combination works best for consistent damage per round for a full combat (3-5 rounds).

Traits that might influence it:

  • two weapon fighting (Fighting Style)
  • a familiar that can give me advantage.
  • green flame blade and eldright blast cantrips (rest are non combat).
  • my first level was in Warlock
  • my stat bonuses are: STR 0, DEX +3, CON +1, INT +2, WIS 0, CHA +2.

Everything else is standard from the class/race; things like disadvantage on heavy weapons, Hexblade's Curse and Action Surge are in play. I'm thinking of taking the Dual Wielder feat next level but that depends on the results of this question.

I could buy every other non-magic simple/martial weapon, but I have short swords at my disposal already.

Best Answer

I'm not going to do a deep dive into specific mathematics here, because you're already heading down a non-optimized route. What I am going to do is try to give you a feeling for the variables involved and where you should go in the future.

Weapon Choice

Considering the racial choice locks you out of effective use of Heavy weapons, there's no debate that using two weapons is the best choice for weapon DPS. As for which weapons, or if weapons are even the right answer, that really depends on how much more Warlock you're going to take vs. how much Eldritch Knight.

For this character, magic shortswords would be better here, because you could use them with Dexterity via finesse and together via light... but you've got what you've got. The difference between 1d6 vs. 1d8 weapons averages a single point, so it's almost not worth considering if you're not super-optimizing. The difference of +1 to hit is far more significant to your damage output, though - use the +1 longsword for now.

If you're committed to Dual Wielder at some point (perhaps for the aesthetics), twin rapiers is a better option. For survivability though, you may want to stick to one and use a shield. Right now, you could use the sword two-handed via versatile for 1d10, but again that's just one more damage on average. A corpse deals no damage, so unless this character has weapons in both hands, it should have a shield in the other. (Great Swords and Great Axes in conjunction with feats have other benefits, but they're no-go for a Halfling.)

Warlock

Right now, the character can effectively use one of those longswords with Charisma via Hex Warrior. It's not as good as Dexterity, but it is better than Strength. You can't use the other one simultaneously without taking Dual Wielder, because they don't have the light property.

If you go to Warlock 3, you'll be able to pick up Pact of the Blade, which does allow you to use two weapons with Charisma (one via Hex Warrior, one as your Pact Weapon). Of course, you'll need Dual Wielder for that.

Whatever you do, don't neglect Hex. An extra 1d6 of damage on every hit will add up quickly.

Eldritch Knight

If you take Eldritch Knight to 7, you'll gain...

War Magic Beginning at 7th level, when you use your action to cast a cantrip, you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action.

That will let you take the most advantage of green flame blade (herein "GFB"). For the purposes of conversation, I'm going to look at Eldritch Knight exclusively...

  • In Tier 1, GFB adds a small amount of damage to a secondary target. The problem is that GFB uses the Cast A Spell action, which doesn't trigger the bonus action attack from using two weapons (you have to use the Attack action). If you're using two weapons, GFB actually lowers your DPR. Assuming a d6 weapons in each hand with the fighter style and two hits, but no feat, you're looking at damage of 2×(1d6+attack stat) with casting stat in damage to a secondary target.
  • In Tier 2, a fighter gains Extra Attack. While GFB does increase to an extra 1d8 to the original target and the secondary, you're also likely to have Dual Wielder by this point and be swinging d8 weapons.
    • GFB hits for 2d8+attack stat to the primary and 1d8+casting stat to the secondary.
    • TWF hits for 1d8+attack stat to up to three targets, each of which can potentially be a critical hit.
    • At L7, an EK eeks out a bit more, getting the hit from GFB, damage to a secondary target, and another basic weapon attack from War Magic. Note, however that War Magic is a swing with the same weapon. You don't even need two weapons for this, nor do you need a feat.
  • In higher tiers, the fighter gains additional attacks, but GFB gains two damage dice each level. Unless you're crit fishing (or need high rolls to hit at all), GFB is a good choice. If you're having a hard time hitting, more rolls is better (because any damage is good damage), so you wave off GFB.

Flame Tongue, Frost Brand, etc.

If you're going for big damage as a fighter, you want a weapon that deals extra damage on every hit. Your extra-on-a-crit weapon is nice, but critical hits aren't your bread-and-butter. The dip of warlock helps because of Hex, but full-time-extra-dice is something you really want.

Summary

If you're leaning more heavily towards Eldritch Knight (at least 7): Get a more appropriate weapon, and don't bother using two. Use a shield instead.

If you're leaning more heavily towards Warlock: Get a more appropriate weapon, and go ahead and use two. Consider leaning more towards Eldritch Knight.

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