If an Echo Knight fighter has a bow equipped, can they make an opportunity attack from the echo's space with a dagger, then use the bow on their turn?

Question

One of my players is playing a level 5 Echo Knight fighter with the Thrown Weapon Fighting fighting style. Their primary source of damage is their bow. However, they utilize the ability to draw a weapon with the thrown property as part of the attack to make opportunity attacks with their Echo.

When the Echo Knight has their primary weapon (a bow) equipped, can they still use their reaction for an opportunity attack from the Echo's location using a dagger hidden somewhere on their body, and then on their own turn still use their bow as normal?

Answer 1

Rules-as-written, looks like yes.

I'm not sure that it matters that the character is an Echo Knight; the same question would arise for any player with a two-handed ranged weapon and the Thrown Weapon fighting style.

Relevant rules excerpts and references:

Two-handed weapons: PHB, p147

This weapon requires two hands when you attack with it (emphasis mine)

Thrown Weapon Fighting: TCoE, p42

You can draw a weapon that has the thrown property as part of the attack you make with the weapon [no mention that the attack has to be ranged]

Other Activity on Your Turn: PHB, p190. Drawing or sheathing a weapon is explicitly mentioned as something you can do in addition to your action (which is relevant for putting the weapon away before attacking with the bow again).

Opportunity Attacks: PHB, p195:

you use your reaction to make one melee attack against the provoking creature.

It's not specified anywhere that you need to currently be wielding a melee weapon in order to make that attack, just that the attack itself is not ranged.

So, you don't need to hold a bow with two hands when not attacking with it (i.e. outside of your turn), you can draw a weapon with the thrown property as part of an attack whether you're throwing it or not, and you can sheathe the weapon again on your turn before attacking with a bow.