Finesse Weapons 5e (Updated for 2024 Rules)

Finesse Weapons Updates in 2024 Rules

Finesse weapons haven’t changed much in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. There haven’t been any new weapons added to the list, and they still function the same way. The only major change is that the new Weapon Mastery feature drastically impacts the way weapons work. Which Finesse weapons have been given the most significant boost? Read on to find out!

What Are Finesse Weapons in 5e?

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

Here’s what the 2024 D&D Free Rules have to say about Finesse weapons:

Finesse. When making an attack with a Finesse weapon, use your choice of your Strength or Dexterity modifier for the attack and damage rolls. You must use the same modifier for both rolls.

Chapter 6: Equipment – 2024 D&D Free Rules

Looks pretty straightforward, but Finesse weapons have a lot of intricacies surrounding their mechanics that aren’t explored here. Let’s go ahead and dive into what you need to know before choosing a Finesse weapon for your 5e build.

A List of All Finesse Weapons in 5e

Before we get into it, what are your options for Finesse weapons? Here’s a quick overview of your choices, as well as their properties:

Some magical weapons also come with the Finesse property, including:

• Revenant Double-Bladed Scimitar: This magic weapon from Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron is the wicked signature blade wielded by the Valenar elves.
• Shadow Blade: While not technically a magic weapon, this weapon is summoned by casting the level 2 spell Shadow Blade. This potent weapon is the favorite of Bladesingers and Eldritch Knights, as it does more damage than even the hefty greatsword while only taking one hand to wield.
• Soulknife’s Psychic Blades: This Rogue subclass allows you to conjure psychic blades that you can throw around or stab your opponents. These are considered Finesse weapons, and in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, they are given the Vex mastery property.

The Best 4 Finesse Weapons

Here are the best 3 Finesse weapons in the 2024 Player’s Handbook and how to use them.

1. Shortsword

Shortswords have been given a significant power boost in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. They still have the Light property but have also been given the Vex mastery property. This means that if you hit a creature with this weapon and deal damage to the creature, you have Advantage on your next attack roll against that creature before the end of your next turn.

So, you can wield a Shortsword in one hand and a Scimitar in the other. This means you’d use your Attack action to attack with the Shortsword. Then, if you hit, you gain Advantage on your Scimitar attack (thanks to Vex), which can be made as part of the same Attack action (thanks to Nick.) You’d also still have your Bonus Action free if you wanted to cast Hunter’s Mark or use Cunning Action.

If this isn’t an amazing one-two punch for Rogues and Rangers, I don’t know what is.

Dual wielding a Shortsword and Scimitars can be further improved by these feats:

• Dual Wielder: Get an extra attack as a Bonus Action.
• Defensive Duelist: Use your Reaction to boost your AC by your Proficiency Bonus till your next turn.
• Two-Weapon Fighting: Add your Dexterity modifier to your offhand Scimitar attack.
• Slasher: Reduce the speed of your target on hit and give them Disadvantage on attacks when you crit.

2. Scimitar

Scimitars have 1d6 damage dice (lower than the Rapier), deal Slashing damage, and also have the Light property and the Nick mastery property. This means they make amazing offhand weapons.

As we’ve already mentioned, the Nick mastery property allows you to combine your offhand attack into your Attack action, so your 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 Bardic Inspiration, or use Cunning Action.

Dual wielding Scimitars can be further improved by these feats:

• Dual Wielder: Get an extra attack as a Bonus Action.
• Defensive Duelist: Use your Reaction to boost your AC by your Proficiency Bonus till your next turn.
• Two-Weapon Fighting: Add your Dexterity modifier to your offhand Scimitar attack.
• Slasher: Reduce the speed of your target on hit and give them Disadvantage on attacks when you crit.

3. Rapier

Rapiers deal 1d8 Piercing damage, the highest out of the Finesse weapons. While the damage is good, and Vex is great for Rogues to enable Sneak Attack, it is, unfortunately, less impressive damage-wise now that a Scimitar can enable seamless offhand attacking. It does have the benefit of only taking one hand, so you can wield a Shield in your other hand if your class allows for it to boost AC.

• Defensive Duelist: Use your Reaction to boost your AC by your Proficiency Bonus till your next turn.
• Piercer: Reroll attack damage, roll an additional damage dice when you crit.

4. Dagger

The Dagger deals 1d4 Piercing damage but can be used in melee and can be thrown, making it effective across a variety of circumstances. It also has the Nick property, so you can offhand attack with it effectively, but seeing as it does less damage than a Scimitar, you likely won’t be using it for this purpose unless you can’t find a second Scimitar.

Finesse Weapon Interactions

So, why are some weapons in 5e labeled as “Finesse?” Let’s take a look at how these weapons shape the idea of a character as much as their playstyle.

Sneak Attack

This potent rogue ability requires either a Finesse or ranged weapon to activate. This can be important to note if your rogue wants to use a longsword or start stacking into other martial feats like Polearm Master and Great Weapon Master. If the weapon you’re attacking with doesn’t have the Finesse property, it won’t matter if you attack with advantage or if an ally is within 5 feet of your enemy; you won’t get Sneak Attack on your strike.

Defensive Duelist

This feat still works similarly to the 2014 version, but it has one incredible improvement. Just like the old version, when a creature hits you while you’re holding a Finesse weapon, you can take your Reaction to add your Proficiency Bonus to your AC. The big upgrade is that this bonus lasts against melee attacks until the start of your next turn when it used to only provide the bonus against a single attack.

It’s also improved because it allows you to boost your Dexterity score by 1, which can boost your AC, attacks, and other important checks.

Revenant Blade

The Valenar elves from Eberron are experts with revenant blades, to the point where they can use them with brute force or as agile warriors. This feat allows you to boost your Strength or Dexterity and, when wielding a double-bladed scimitar, pump your AC and wield your weapon as though it had the Finesse property.

Which Builds Work Best With Finesse Weapons?

Rogues

If you want your rogue to be in melee, Finesse weapons are all but required to activate your Sneak Attack ability. When considering your choice of weapon, Rapiers can do the most damage (1d8), but they can’t be dual-wielded because they don’t have the Light property. Instead, you could wield a Shortsword in your main hand and a Scimitar so you can use your offhand attack.

Rogues get access to two weapons from their Weapon Mastery feature, which means you can use the Shortsword’s Vex and the Scimitar’s Nick every turn. Vex gives you Advantage on your next attack when you hit with the weapon, and Nick allows you to use your offhand attack as part of your main Attack action.

This allows you to deal more damage and hopefully land your Sneak Attack more consistently while still having your Bonus Action free to use Cunning Action.

Bards

Valor and Swords bards are likely to stack into Dexterity as they only get light and medium armor proficiencies. This means that their Dexterity score affects their AC, so they might as well pump it and use it for attacks and damage as well. They don’t get access to the Weapon Mastery feature without a multiclass, so they’re better off to stick to a Rapier to keep their Bonus Action free.

Fighters

Some Fighters opt to use Finesse weapons so they can stack fully into Dexterity and be more well-rounded out of combat. Seeing a Dexterity helps you sneak, and most medium armors don’t give you Disadvantage on Stealth checks, Dexterity Fighters can remain unseen like Rogues and Rangers while still outputting a ton of damage.

Fighters wielding Finesse weapons will likely want to choose either the Defense, Dueling, or Two-Weapon Fighting Fighting Styles and may even want to consider the Dual Wielder and Defensive Duelist feats.

Fighters can eventually access 9 mastery properties, so they’ll have more than enough to accommodate whichever playstyle they prefer.

Rangers

Like Fighters, Rangers that want to get up close and personal but want to avoid the clunkiness of Strength-based heavy armor can choose to use Dexterity and Finesse weapons to create a more well-rounded build. Especially because Rangers are usually expected to sneak up in front of the party or be the party’s scout.

Like Rogues, Rangers get access to two mastery properties, which can enable the Shortsword + Scimitar combo we’ve discussed. Or they can opt for a Rapier and Shield for a bit higher AC.

Light Weapons Vs. Finesse Weapons

Light weapons are easy to handle and are meant to be used when fighting with two weapons. While some Finesse weapons are Light, not all light weapons are Finesse. Unfortunately, the highest damage-dealing Finesse weapon, the Rapier, isn’t Light and can only be dual-wielded by picking up the Dual Wielder feat.

Are Bows Finesse Weapons?

Bows are ranged weapons, not Finesse weapons. That said, for the purposes of triggering a rogue’s Sneak Attack, both ranged and Finesse weapons can be used. The only ranged weapon also considered a Finesse weapon is the dart, which allows monks to throw them with Dexterity rather than having to use Strength.

Finish With Finesse

Now that you’re a master with 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!”

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Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. He is a Adamantine best-selling author of Strixhaven: A Syllabus of Sorcery on DMs Guild and is a contributing author at D&D Beyond. Follow Mike on Twitter.