Dagger vs rapier

[Sir Quibbled]

Hello, just starting the game. I found a rapier that does more damage i think for the rogue. However is there any benefit to daggers specifically?

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Sir Quibbled:

Dagger vs rapier
Hello, just starting the game. I found a rapier that does more damage i think for the rogue. However is there any benefit to daggers specifically?

Proficiency.

Rapier = martial melee weapon

Dagger = simple melee weapon

Not everyone can use a rapier, but everyone can use a dagger.

[⎛⎝ Kupo ⎠⎞]

Outside of a legendary dagger at the end I think they just suck generally speaking.
It's a similar issue with bows vs crossbows ( especially hand crossbows ) in that because the ruleset doesn't require you to reload them with actions they're just better because the dice roll for the damage is superior.

Like if daggers of a certain grade has 1d4 and shortswords has 1d6 for example then shortswords are just objectively better in every way unless there's some special trait to the dagger that makes it better.
Same with bows vs heavy crossbows, the dice for the crossbow will just always be higher which makes bows in general worse.

[Anfaughlir]

Dual-wielding with a Rapier requires a feat. Not so with the Dagger...

[[4BRS] OakNacht]

Daggers can be thrown, in the off chance you don't have a ranged option for your melee fighters.

All in all, the rapier is going to perform better. Can't dual wield (without the feature) but you can likely use a shield. If not, plenty of bonuses to be had for having your off hand open, just have to find them.

[Kernest]

IIRC as long as you adjust your Sneak Attack reaction, attacking with the off-hand *should* give you a second chance at using Sneak Attack in case you miss the first hit.

Though it's possible this only applied in the rare scenarios where you don't have an action available, but do have a bonus action.

[Zeel Ara]

Originally posted by Anfaughlir:

Dual-wielding with a Rapier requires a feat. Not so with the Dagger...

This part is important, yea.

[The_hand_of_fate]

Daggers are better for throwing, but are otherwise outclassed by even shortswords, unless you get an enchanted one

[Moonbane]

You could respec Wyll to a rogue. He have rapier skill as a special trait.
Though, tbh, rogues is fairly underwhelming in 5th edition, too many hoops to jump through for sneak attacks. Plus limited to one a turn.

[seeker1]

There was a day, and a ruleset, where a rogue backstab required you use a dagger and be behind the opponent, in stealth. Those days are over ... you still want to stick to finesse weapons for sneak attacks, but no particular reason (unless they have a desirable enchantment) to stick to daggers.

[Mike Garrison]

Well, IRL, wouldn't a sword be a more dangerous weapon than a dagger? It's like difference between an assault rifle and a muzzleloader.

[Moonbane]

Different weapons for different situations.
You are not going to have an easy time swinging a longsword in a corridor.

[Minnzy]

Historically the dagger vs debate is long but daggers almost always lose out to any other weapon in videogames. In P&P though, with the proper DM and roleplaying daggers are amazing. If your character can use a better weapon (Or in 5e's case is proficient) than always go for the bigger number

[👁]

Originally posted by Sir Quibbled:

Hello, just starting the game. I found a rapier that does more damage i think for the rogue. However is there any benefit to daggers specifically?

Rapier is a great dueling weapon, daggers are good for dual wielding. The Shortsword is probably the most common weapon people use for dual wielding but if you find daggers with nasty abilities they can be really good in the offhand.

In BG3 all the really good daggers are near the end of the game, you can use the Sussur Dagger as a mage slayer but how often do you need to silence an enemy? So really, it's not the best weapon until right at the end when you can dual wield Rhapsody with Bloodthirster.

But Rhapsody and Bloodthirster are really powerful together, especially if your party uses a lot of piercing damage.

[Moonbane]

Originally posted by 👁:

Originally posted by Sir Quibbled:

Hello, just starting the game. I found a rapier that does more damage i think for the rogue. However is there any benefit to daggers specifically?

Rapier is a great dueling weapon, daggers are good for dual wielding. The Shortsword is probably the most common weapon people use for dual wielding but if you find daggers with nasty abilities they can be really good in the offhand.

In BG3 all the really good daggers are near the end of the game, you can use the Sussur Dagger as a mage slayer but how often do you need to silence an enemy? So really, it's not the best weapon until right at the end when you can dual wield Rhapsody with Bloodthirster.

But Rhapsody and Bloodthirster are really powerful together, especially if your party uses a lot of piercing damage.

You forgot one thing. The Bhaalist Armor
https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Bhaalist+Armour
Insanely powerful with piercing weapons, but requires an unpleasant decision to aquire.