Swing Smarter, Not Harder: 10 Ways to Double Yer Damage in D&D 5e & Pathfinder 2e
Mike’s Personal Experience
A young fighter once came to me proud as a peacock because he’d just bought a +2 greatsword. “Now I can finally kill like a champion,” he said. He charged into the next fight, rolled poorly, and whiffed three rounds in a row. Meanwhile, our halfling rogue with a +1 rapier used Hide, Sneak Attack, and flanking to deal triple his damage. It’s not about raw power — it’s about using your actions and abilities smartly.
Here are ten ways to double your damage without selling your soul for magic.
1. Exploit Advantage and Flat‑Footed
In 5e, get advantage by flanking, hiding, or using spells like Faerie Fire. In PF2e, make enemies flat‑footed with Trip, Feint, or flanking. Sneak attacks and crits become far more likely.
2. Buff Before You Swing
Throw a quick Hunter’s Mark or Bless on your target. In PF2e, cast Inspire Courage or drink a potency potion. Those +1s add up.
3. Use the Right Tool
Choose weapons like the Whisperfang for sneak attacks or the Emberhook Blade for shredding armor. Weapon synergy is your friend.
4. Stack Multipliers
Combine smite, sneak attack, and critical hits in the same turn. In PF2e, Power Attack on a crit deals brutal damage. Save your nova for when everything’s aligned.
5. Action Surge and Haste
In 5e, fighters’ Action Surge and the spell Haste effectively double your turns. In PF2e, the magus and thaumaturge have similar speed bursts.
6. Use Spells That Scale
Spiritual Weapon deals force damage without concentration, and Spirit Guardians punishes anything near you. In PF2e, Hail of Arrows and Meteor Swarm clear entire mobs.
7. Aid and Flank
A friend using the Aid reaction or flanking bonus ensures your heavy hit lands. See The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens for more team synergy.
8. Make Every Hit Count
Don’t swing unless you have a decent chance of hitting. Delay a turn to set up advantage rather than waste your attack.
9. Target Vulnerabilities
If the monster is weak to fire, use a flaming weapon. Check out The Dagger That Hates the Sun to see how exploiting vulnerabilities works.
10. Keep Your Weapon Maintained
Sharpen blades, attach runes, and invest in potency upgrades. Good care means good kills.
Don’t Waste Another Turn, Lad
If you’re ready to stop swinging blindly, explore our Player Tips library and browse weapons in the Tavern Armory. And if you want custom advice on your build, send a message via Contact. We love hearing about clever combos.
Final Thoughts
Doubling your damage isn’t about luck or a shiny sword. It’s about stacking the right effects, choosing the right moment, and swinging smarter.
Your Next Victory Starts Here
To see these tactics in action, check our upcoming builds in the Player Builds & NPCs section and read Tryhard Roleplay: A Series for the Overachievin’ Fool to sharpen your roleplaying edges too. Let’s make every roll count.
