Simple RAW for 5e V: The Disadvantage Strikes Back

[LtPowers]

Q47

If improvised weapons are weapons (only) at the point at which they are used as such, can you TWF with a sword and shield? Edit: shields aren't Light so you need the Fighting Style, yes?

Does a melee attack from an improvised weapon get bonus damage from Barbarian Rage? From Zealot Divine Fury?

A47

So much to unpack here. Plus this is really at least two separate and essentially unrelated questions.

All the Two-Weapon Fighting Style does is let you add your proficiency bonus to your bonus-action attack when using two-weapon fighting. It has no effect on what weapons can be used with two-weapon fighting. You may be thinking of the Dual Wielder feat.

To the first question, here's the text: "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."

Since a shield is not a weapon (let alone a melee weapon, let alone a light melee weapon), you cannot use two-weapon fighting if your "other hand" is holding a shield. I suppose... in theory... if you take the attack action to attack with a shield as an improvised weapon, then you could argue that at that instant, it's a weapon, so you get the bonus action to use with your sword. But as you note, a shield does not have the light property, so at a minimum the Dual Wielder feat would be required.

As for your Barbarian question, those features only require a melee weapon attack (or any weapon attack for Divine Fury). An attack with an improvised weapon is still a weapon attack, so there's no reason those features wouldn't apply.


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