Discussion regarding double weapon, twf and bab


Rules Questions


Hi there,

So I have this discussion regarding my fighter and the amount of attacks he can make.

He has 13/8/3 bab and a double weapon and the twf feat.

I always thought the following during a full attack:

First bab:
Attack with primary hand with 11 bab and full str

Attack with offhand with 11 bab and half str

Second bab:
Primary with 6 bab and full str
Offhand with 6 bab and half str

Third bab:
Primary with 1 bab and full str
Offhand with 1 bab and half str

Meaning, I get six attacks total.

Am I wrong in assuming this and please elaborate on the why.

Thank you! :)


You are mistaken. Check out the special attack text for two-weapon fighting. Here's an excerpt:

"If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon." [emphasis mine]

You get just one extra attack when you two-weapon fight - and that includes using a double weapon as your two weapons. You get 3 attacks as your primary and 1 attack as your secondary. You do not get extra attacks with the secondary because of a high base attack bonus.

If you want more attacks with your secondary, you need to invest in more two-weapon fighting feats like Improved Two-Weapon Fighting and Greater Two-Weapon Fighting. Each of those adds the additional attack at the lowered base attack bonus value.


Note that you only get one BONUS attack.

A level 11 wizard with a +2/+1 flaming quarterstaff could use his +6 BAB attack with the +2 end and the +1 BAB attack with the +1 flaming end. This is of course complicated, weird, and generally only done if the wizard's getting revenge on a goblin king that ticked him off when he was level 2 or something.


Thank you all :). I know understand it better!

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