Shadow Blade Redone - Seamless Dual Wielding

I love the concept of Shadow Blade, but I found actually using it to be supremely boring. It's just a damage stick, one that's too good and didn't actually feel much fun to use. So, I reworked it for myself, and I'm sharing my results with the rest of the class. I imagine Shadow Blade as a sidearm that enables a dual-wielding spellsword playstyle but saves you the investment. Hope you enjoy.

Shadow Blade (Spell)

• []Will summon Shadow Blade (Weapon) at the end of the turn.

  - it was necessary to delay till the end of the turn for the forced off-hand equip to work correctly[]Upcasting increases weapon damage by 1d4 Psychic Damage per Spell Level.

  []Will grant the equip rule portion of Dual Wielder (without the AC bonus), necessary for the forced off-hand equip.

  Shadow Blade (Weapon)

  • []Now a 1d6 Psychic Shortsword.

    []Gains 1d4 Psychic Damage per Upcast Level.

    []Uses the highest of your Strength, Dexterity, or Spellcasting Modifiers for Attack and Damage Rolls.

    []Comes with a once per combat Distracting Strike.

    []Comes with a once per short rest Shadowsoaked Blow.

    []Can be thrown and will return to the wielder's hand.

    []When equipped in the off-hand, you gain the benefits Two-Weapon Fighting.

    []When upcast to 3rd Level, becomes a +1 weapon and gains Menacing Strike once per short rest.

    []When upcast to 5th Level, becomes a +2 weapon and gains Riposte (Distracting Strike).

    Reskin used in the main image is VFX Replacer. Other recommended mods: More Visible Shadow Blade and Weapons on Hips.

    How Is This More Fun?

    It may look weaker, but let's see what you get compared to vanilla Shadow Blade:

    []Automatic, seamless dual-wielding (no Feat or Fighting Style required)

    []Scales with your highest modifier (you can hex/pact bind another weapon instead)

    []Attack with your Bonus Action already at 2nd Level Spell (and Reaction at 5th Level Spell)

    []Lower, more consistent damage with a smoother curve (scales with you, worth upcasting)

    []Shadow Blade can be Thrown and will return (you can also give it to another character)

    - casting the spell will unsummon the old Shadow Blade and summon a new one[]Once per turn Distracting Strike

    []Once per short rest Shadowsoaked Blow

    []Once per short rest Menacing Attack[/si