Finesse Weapon 5e (updated to 2024 rules)

Finesse Weapon Updates for 2024 Rules

Finesse weapons remain unchanged in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. No new weapons have been added to the list and they still function the same way. The only major change is that the new Weapon Mastery feature significantly impacts how weapons work. Which finesse weapons have received the most significant buffs? Read on to find out.

What are finesse weapons in 5e?

Finesse weapons in 5e rely more on precision and agility than on strength. These are a good option for characters with high Dexterity scores, as they allow you to use your Dexterity modifier on attack and damage rolls instead of Strength.

The 2024 D&D Free Rules say the following about finesse weapons:

Finesse. When you attack with a finesse weapon, you use your choice of (Strength) or (Dexterity) modifiers on attack and damage rolls. The same modifier must be used for both roles.

Chapter 6: Equipment – ​​D&D Free Rules for 2024

Although it seems very simple, the mechanics of finesse weapons have many complexities that are not explained here. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know before choosing a finesse weapon for your 5e build.

List of all finesse weapons in 5e

Before we get into it, what are the choices for finesse weapons? Here’s a quick overview of the choices and their properties.

Weapon Cost Damage Weight Trait Type Dagger 2 gp 1d4 Pierce 1 lb Finesse, Light, Slow, Nick Simple Melee Darts 5 cp 1d4 Pierce 1/4 lb Finesse, Throw, Sap Simple Ranged Rapier 25 gp 1d8 Pierce 2 lb Finesse, Vex Marshal Melee Scimitar 25 gp 1d6 Slash 3 lbs Finesse, Light, Nick Marshall Melee Short Sword 10 gp 1d6 Pierce 2 lbs Finesse, Light, Vex Marshall Melee Whip 2 gp 1d4 Slash 3 lbs Finesse, Reach, Slow Marshall Melee

Some magic weapons also come with the Finesse property, such as:

Revenant’s Double-Blade Scimitar: This magical weapon from The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron is a sinister signature blade wielded by the elves of Valenar. Shadow Blade: Although not strictly a magical weapon, this weapon is summoned by casting the level 2 spell Shadow Blade. This powerful weapon is a favorite of bladesingers and otherworldly knights, as it deals more damage than a heavy greatsword, even though it can be wielded with only one hand. Soulknife’s Psychic Blades: This rogue subclass allows you to summon psychic blades to throw and stab your opponents. These are considered finesse weapons and are given the Vex mastery trait in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.

Top 4 finesse weapons

Here are the 2024 Player’s Handbook’s best three finesse weapons and how to use them.

1.Short sword

In the 2024 Player’s Handbook, the shortsword’s power has been significantly increased. They still have the Light property, but are also given the Vex Mastery property. This means that if you attack a creature with this weapon and deal damage to it, you gain advantage on your next attack roll against that creature before the end of your next turn.

Therefore, you can wield a short sword in one hand and a scimitar in the other. This means using the attack action to attack with a short sword. Then, if you hit, you’ll get an advantage on scimitar attacks (thanks to Vex). This can be done as part of the same attack action (thanks to Nick). Cast Mark of the Hunter or use a Cunning action.

If this isn’t an incredible one-two punch for Rogue and Ranger, I don’t know what is.

Dual sword and scimitar wielding is further improved by the following feats:

Dual Wielder: Gain an extra attack as a bonus action. Defensive Duelist: Use reactions to boost AC with proficiency bonus until next turn. Two-Weapon Fighting: Adds a “dexterity” modifier to off-hand scimitar attacks. Slasher: Slows down the target on hit and gives disadvantage to attacks on critical hit.

2. Scimitar

Scimitars have 1d6 damage dice (lower than rapiers), deal slashing damage, and also have light and nick mastery attributes. This means they make great off-hand weapons.

As already mentioned, Nick’s mastery property allows him to combine off-hand attacks with attack actions, so the bonus action is still free. This is a huge boon for dual-wielding bards, rangers, and rogues who want to use bonus actions to cast spells, use Bard’s Inspiration, or use Cunning actions.

Dual Wield Scimitar can be further improved with the following feats:

Dual Wielder: Gain an extra attack as a bonus action. Defensive Duelist: Use reactions to boost AC with proficiency bonus until next turn. Two-Weapon Fighting: Adds a “dexterity” modifier to off-hand scimitar attacks. Slasher: Slows down the target on hit and gives disadvantage to attacks on critical hit.

3. Rapier

The rapier deals 1d8 piercing damage, the highest of any finesse weapon. Damage is good and Vex is great for Rogues to allow sneak attacks, but unfortunately not as impressive in terms of damage as Scimitar allows for seamless off-hand attacks. The advantage is that you only need one hand, so if your class allows you to boost your AC, you can equip a shield in your other hand.

Defensive Duelist: Use reactions to boost AC with proficiency bonus until next turn. Perforator: Reroll attack damage and roll additional damage dice on criticals.

4. Dagger

Daggers deal 1d4 piercing damage, but can also be used in melee attacks and can be thrown, making them effective in a variety of situations. It also has the Nick trait, which allows it to be used as an effective off-hand attack, but it does less damage than a scimitar, so it probably won’t be used for this purpose unless you can find a second scimitar. Probably not.

finesse weapon interaction

So why are some weapons in 5e labeled “Finesse”? Let’s take a look at how these weapons shape not only your character’s playstyle, but the idea of ​​your character. Sho.

sneak attack

This powerful rogue ability requires either Finesse or a ranged weapon to activate. This is important to note if your rogue wants to use a longsword or start stacking it with other martial arts like Polearm Master or Great Weapon Master. If the weapon you’re attacking doesn’t have the Finesse trait, it doesn’t matter if you attack with advantage or if your allies are within 5 feet of the enemy. You can’t get a sneak attack with your strike.

defensive duelist

This feat works similarly to the 2014 version, but with one surprising improvement. As in previous versions, if a creature attacks while you have a finesse weapon, you can get a reaction and add a proficiency bonus to your AC. The big upgrade is that this bonus lasts until the start of the next turn for melee attacks, whereas it used to only provide a bonus for single attacks.

It’s also improved by being able to increase your Dexterity score by 1, which allows you to improve your AC, attack, and other important checks.

revenant blade

The Valenar elves of Eberron are experts in using revenant blades, capable of using them with brute force or as agile warriors. This feat allows you to increase your Strength or Dexterity, and when wielding a double-edged scimitar, pumps your AC and allows you to use the weapon as if it had the Finesse trait.

Which build is best for finesse weapons?

rogue

If you want your rogue to be melee, you’ll almost need a finesse weapon to enable the sneak attack ability. Considering weapon selection, the rapier deals the most damage (1d8), but cannot be dual-wielded due to the lack of light properties. Alternatively, you can have a short sword in your main hand and equip a scimitar that allows you to use off-hand attacks.

Rogues have access to two weapons through the Weapon Mastery feature. This means you can use the shortsword Vex and the scimitar Nick every turn. Vex gives you an advantage on your next attack when you attack with a weapon, and Nick allows you to use off-hand attacks as part of your main attack action.

This allows you to deal more damage and land sneak attacks more consistently while still having the freedom to use Cunning as a bonus action.

bard

Bard of Courage and Swords only gains proficiency with Light and Medium Armor, so they can stack with Dexterity. This means that your Dexterity score affects your AC, so you can also pump it and use it for attacks and damage as well. They can’t access the Weapon Mastery feature without multiclassing, so it’s better to stick with rapiers to keep bonus actions free.

fighters

Some fighters choose to use finesse weapons, allowing them to fully stack dexterity to make combat more effective. Looking at Dexterity makes sneaking easier, and most medium armor doesn’t give disadvantage to stealth checks. Dexterity Fighters can deal a ton of damage while remaining invisible like Rogues and Rangers.

Fighters who use finesse weapons are likely to choose one of the defensive, dueling, or dual-wielding fighting styles, and may also consider dual-wielding and defensive duelist feats.

Fighters ultimately have access to nine mastery properties, giving them more than enough properties to accommodate their preferred playstyle.

rangers

Similar to fighters, rangers who want to get up close and personal but avoid the clunkiness of strength-based heavy armor use dexterity and finesse weapons to create a more balanced build you can choose to. Especially since rangers are usually expected to sneak up on the party or be scouts for the party.

Similar to Rogues, Rangers have access to two mastery properties that allow them the aforementioned shortsword + scimitar combo. Alternatively, you can choose rapier and shield for a bit more AC.

Light weapons vs. finesse weapons

Light weapons are easier to handle and are intended for use when fighting with two weapons. Some finesse weapons are light, but not all light weapons are finesse. Unfortunately, the highest damage-dealing finesse weapon, the rapier, is not lightweight and can only be used dual-wielding by taking the dual-wielding feat.

Is a bow a finesse weapon?

The bow is a ranged weapon, not a finesse weapon. That said, both ranged and finesse weapons can be used to trigger a rogue’s sneak attack. The only ranged weapon that is also considered a finesse weapon is the dart. This allows the monk to throw darts with dexterity rather than using strength.

Finish with finesse

Now that you’re a master of finesse weapons, go out into the world and strike with precision! As the dueling master Syrio Forel once said: “There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: Not today!”