I’m actually not even that big a fan of D&D specifically; most of my recent games have been PF2e, which has a lot more of a LEGO set feel with how you build characters and I think can avoid some of the issues you’re talking about. But I’m always up for trying new systems when I get the chance. In fairness, that’s rare.

With you 100% on that last line.

The 2024 / 5.5e version rules no longer have the “two-weapon fighting” subsection - the rule is now merged into the description of the ‘light’ weapon property

The best combo I have come up with is using 5.5 weapon mastery ruleson a Berserker Barb, and a 2h weapon with some desirable property like Cleave in your Primary arms, and Scimitars in your secondary arms. After level 5, with attack action you can make 1 attack with your big weapon, Cleave attack if you hit, then 1 attack with the secondary arms Scimitar, then an attack from Nick as part of that same attack action, then a bonus action attack with scimitar. STR bonus on first 2 attacks, +2 Rage bonus on all 5 attacks, +2d6 damage on first hit when Reckless, which you should always use.

In any case, you are right, anyone should be able to use their whole action to kick someone even if they are wielding a 2hander, but only monks can do it as a bonus action effectively, if they are using versatile monk weapons like quarterstaves.

I know you wanted for references, but since I changed my argument you might not need them anymore. If you want I can search proper references.

New players really should be told to play Pathfinder 2e at this point, not D&D5e

It’s unfortunate that DND 5e is the sole mega popular game.

People who want fantasy tactical combat would probably do well with Pathfinder 2e. But people who just want to tell a fun story would probably have a lot more fun with something lighter, like Fate.

There’s so many games out there and most don’t get the love they deserve

But I, personally, found the class system and the level system just too artificial and not reflective of living, breathing characters. It felt (to me) like a cartoon version of role-playing compared to Runequest where PCs were deeply, and fundamentally, embedded in the game world, and the limitations on them were in-game, world-based limitations, rather than game system limitations which were not a natural outcome of the world, but of the arbitrary decisions of the game designers. I’m thinking ‘woshippers of Humakt (the RQ god of Death) can’t kill people who surrender’ vs. ‘magic users can’t wear armor’ kind of limitations.

I want to stress, once again, I’m not trying to shit on any one else’s game fun. The more people playing TTRPGs the better as far as I’m concerned.

1. There is a subsection in the basic rules called Two-Weapon Fighting. These are the base rules for anyone using two weapons (BA attack without ability modifier, must use light weapons)
2. There is also a fighting style called Two-Weapon Fighting available to fighters and a couple of specific subclasses (Swashbuckler has that option, I think). This fighting style allows you to add your ability modifier to the off-hand attack.
3. There is a feat called Dual Wielding (Player’s Handbook) that grants additional bonuses: the weapons don’t have to be light, a +1 AC bonus, and you’re able to draw or stow both weapons at once.

(5.5e) Two-weapon fighting is a Fighting Style that only some classes can get.

Dual Wielder is a general Feat that any character of level 4 with str or dex 13 or higher can take.

Anyone can dual wield when their main weapon has the Light property.

I see this all of the time in the PF2r subreddit. Everyone wants to know why it’s so hard to push enemies around or knock them over, as if they’re pro-wrestlers desperate to oversell for you for a paycheque, and not creatures who are opposing your attempts to do those things.

Sorry, that came outta nowhere. ‍️

My point isn’t that D&D is bad, it’s not, but it’s also not for me. Different people like different things and that’s great. If you like knowing that someone is playing a cleric or a barbarian (and therefore you also know all the associated limitations and specials of that character), I’m not trying to piss on your picnic. But for me it’s too much like ‘I play a knight and can only more in L-shapes’. Like I said, game pieces, not characters.

Edit: And some games that turned from one to the other, honestly.

Powergaming [verb]: The practice of optimising games above all other concerns, even fun.

Chud [noun]: A horrible creature that lives in the sewers and survives by licking piss off of boots. Sort like a goblin or ghoul.

Slop [noun]: Art that is of low quality.

Treantmonk [proper noun]: popular Youtuber that designs genuinely impressive powergaming builds for 5e, but frequently uses bad-faith arguments like this.

“X has been a disaster for Y”: A snowclone, ah, alas, I forget where this one comes from.