Two-weapon fighting is not a new topic, but with the 2024 rules, the introduction of the Nick property and the changes to the Dual Wielder feat complicates things. It’s not specific to Adventurers League, but I want to break down how it works under Rules As Written (RAW).

Assumptions

For this explanation, I will assume the following:

While you may be able to eke out some (minor) additional damage by stowing and drawing additional weapons, that won’t be discussed here.

Two-Weapon Fighting Basics

The basics of two-weapon fighting come from the description of the Light property for weapons:

Light When you take the Attack action on your turn and attack with a Light weapon, you can make one extra attack as a Bonus Action later on the same turn. That extra attack must be made with a different Light weapon […]

Equipment

What does this mean?

So, if you have two Light weapons active (so you wouldn’t be holding a shield), you can use the Attack action to attack with one of those Light weapons, then use your Bonus Action to attack with the other Light weapon.

What about Extra Attack, Action Surge, or Haste?

If your character has the Extra Attack feature, Action Surge, or are subject to the Haste spell, which allow you to make more attacks, you still only get one Bonus Action attack.

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Be aware that unless you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, your secondary Bonus Action attack does not include your Strength/Dexterity modifier (unless it’s negative).

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Nick Weapon Mastery

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There is debate on whether the Nick Weapon Mastery needs to be on the weapon used during your Action or if it needs to be on the weapon used during your Bonus Action. I do not address that here. Ask your DM. For our purposes here, it does not change how Nick works.

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So, how does the Nick Weapon Mastery change things?

Nick

When you make the extra attack of the Light property, you can make it as part of the Attack action instead of as a Bonus Action. You can make this extra attack only once per turn.

Equipment