Main Gauche

Weapon Description

The Main Gauche, also known as a parrying dagger, is used mostly as an off-hand weapon in a defensive manner. It is slightly longer than a regular dagger, and has added protection for the hand. It can be used in an aggressive manner too, but only when the situation allows it.

Proficiencies

The Main Gauche is a martial weapon. Rogues and Bards are proficient with it. At the DM's discretion, classes proficient with the Rapier can be considered proficient with the Main Gauche as well.

Starting Equipment

Whenever you have the option to start with a shortsword, you may choose to replace it with a Main Gauche instead, as long as you're proficient with it.

Weapon Table Entry

Martial Weapons

Weapon Price Damage Weight Properties Main Gauche 15gp 1d4 piercing 3lbs Finesse, Light, Special

Special Property

You can two-weapon fight with a weapon without the Light property and a Main Gauche, but while doing so you can only attack with the Main Gauche if you have advantage on the attack roll or another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn't incapacitated, and you don't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Additionally, the Main Gauche grants a +1 bonus to Armor Class against melee attacks, which is lost when you attack with it until the beginning of your next turn.

Credit: Darkwood Armory

Credit: Darkwood Armory

Dual-Wielding With The Main Gauche The situations when a Main Gauche can be used to attack while two-weapon fighting with a weapon without the Light property are the same situations in which you could make a Sneak Attack. This is because it's a parrying weapon meant to be used aggressively only in the most opportune moments, which are also the times when rogues can Sneak Attack.

Weapon Properties and Rules These are the weapon properties relevant to the Main Gauche, as well as the rules for Two-Weapon Fighting, as described in the Player's Handbook:

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

Light. A light weapon is small and easy to handle, making it ideal for use when fighting with two weapons. See the rules for two-weapon fighting.

Special. A weapon with the special property has unusual rules governing its use, explained in the weapon’s description.

Two-Weapon Fighting. When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can use a Bonus Action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you’re holding in the other hand. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative.