Dual-wield

2017-08-21T02:56:43Z

88.73.225.4: 1

Any [[character]] can use two [[weapon]]s simultaneously. This is known as '''dual-wielding'''. This allows the character to gain additional attacks from a weapon in their [[off-hand]] at the cost of a penalty to her [[attack bonus]]. The penalties depend on a number of conditions.

==Dual-wielding==
If a character wields a second weapon in his off hand, he can get one extra [[attacks per round|attack per round]] with that weapon.

He suffers a –6 penalty with his regular attack or attacks with the [[primary hand]] and a –10 penalty to attacks with the off hand when fighting this way. Also, off-hand weapons only add half of the Strength modifier to [[damage roll]]; however, for [[Insightful Strike]], the full Intelligence modifier applies to both weapons.

These penalties can be reduced in two ways:
*If the off-hand weapon is [[light weapon|light]], the penalties are reduced by 2 each.
*The [[Two-Weapon Fighting]] [[feat]] lessens the primary hand penalty by 2, and the off-hand penalty by 6.

{| {{table 1}}
|-
!Circumstances!!Primary<br>hand!!Off-hand
|-
|Normal penalties||–6||–10
|-
|Off-hand weapon is light||–4||–8
|-
|Two-Weapon Fighting feat||–4||–4
|-
|Off-hand weapon is light and Two-Weapon Fighting feat||–2||–2
|}

==Additional off-hand attacks==
Additional off-hand attacks may be gained by selecting further two weapon fighting feats.
*[[Improved Two-Weapon Fighting]] provides an additional attack with a -5 penalty AB, for a total of 2 off-hand attacks.
*[[Greater Two-Weapon Fighting]] provides an additional attack with a -10 penalty AB, for a total of 3 off-hand attacks.
*[[Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting]] provides the same progression for off-hand attacks as the character's primary hand attacks.

==Other Modifiers==
*[[Monkey Grip]] allows the use of two handed weapons in one hand at a -2 penalty to AB. If using an oversize weapon in each hand, subtract 2 from each.
*[[Haste]] effect adds an extra attack to the main hand only.
*[[Two-Weapon Defense]] gives a +1 shield bonus to [[AC]] when dual-wielding.
*[[Improved Two-Weapon Defense]] gives a +2 shield bonus to AC when dual-wielding.
*[[Whirlwind Attack]] ignores the off-hand weapon and behaves as if the character is single-wielding.

==Double weapons==
There are no double weapons in NWN2.

==Thrown weapons==
In NWN2, Thrown and Ranged Weapons '''CANNOT''' be dual wielded.

==Rangers==
[[Ranger]]s who choose the two-weapon fighting combat style gain dual-wielding feats as they level, even if they do not meet the prerequisites. However these are only active if a ranger is wearing light or no [[armor]].
*Ranger level 2: Two-Weapon Fighting
*Ranger level 6: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
*Ranger level 11: Greater Two-Weapon Fighting
*Ranger level 21: Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting

==3.5E Rules Comparison==
[[Unarmed strike]] cannot be used as either the primary or off-hand attack in two-weapon fighting in NWN2.
[[Category:Game rules]]
[[Category:Glossary]]

Baldur's Gate The Sword Coast Chronicles wiki - User contributions [en]

Dual-wield