Primary weapons are the main weapons you’ll likely be fighting with during an encounter. You can only hold one of these at a time in your primary weapon slot. If you take a weapon with a burden of two hands (see “Burden”), this is typically the only weapon you can have active. To find the list of starting primary weapons, called Tier 1 Primary Weapons, see “Primary Weapon Tables.”

You can make an attack roll with either a primary or secondary weapon you have equipped, allowing for flexibility in the types of attacks you can make. The secondary weapon often also has a feature that augments another aspect of your fighting style as well—a dagger might grant you extra damage to targets you attack with your primary weapon in melee, a shield might add to your armor score, etc. Most adventurers will choose to at least carry a primary weapon, but you’re not required to. For guidance on fighting without a weapon, see “Unarmed Combat Rolls.”