Primary weapons are the main weapons your character will likely be fighting with during an encounter. A character can only hold one primary weapon at a time, which goes into the “Primary Weapon” area of their character sheet. If you take a two-handed weapon, this is typically the only weapon your character can have active. The list of starting primary weapons, called Tier 1 primary weapons, can be found in the upcoming “Primary Weapon Tables” section later in this chapter.

You can make an attack roll with either a primary or secondary weapon your character has equipped, allowing for flexibility in the types of attacks you can make. Many secondary weapons have features that augment another aspect of your character’s fighting style—for example, a dagger might grant them extra damage to targets they attack with their primary weapon within Melee range, or a shield might add to your character’s Armor Score. Most adventurers choose to at least carry a primary weapon, but for guidance on fighting without a weapon, see the “Unarmed Attack Rolls” section earlier in this chapter.