Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Can I dual-wield with only -2 penalty when I'm wearing chain mail?

Micah Foehammer · 07-31-2002, 10:03 PM

I tried this out with a dwarven fighter that I multi-classed to a ranger for one level. Using a light off-hand weapon and wearing mithral splint, he suffered a -4 / -8 penalty to his attacks.

My understanding is that the combined benefits of two-handed fighting and ambidexterity (ie: the ranger's dual wield special feat) ONLY kick in if you are wearing LIGHT armor. A chain shirt is classified as medium armor, so you only get the +2 benefit of using a light offhand weapon.

Try switching to Studded leather (clasified as light armor) and you should see the penalties drop considerably at the cost of only 1 step in AC. Both a chain shirt and studded leather have a max dex bonus of 4.

07-31-2002, 10:03 PM	#2
Micah Foehammer Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: November 15, 2001 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 3,253	I tried this out with a dwarven fighter that I multi-classed to a ranger for one level. Using a light off-hand weapon and wearing mithral splint, he suffered a -4 / -8 penalty to his attacks. My understanding is that the combined benefits of two-handed fighting and ambidexterity (ie: the ranger's dual wield special feat) ONLY kick in if you are wearing LIGHT armor. A chain shirt is classified as medium armor, so you only get the +2 benefit of using a light offhand weapon. Try switching to Studded leather (clasified as light armor) and you should see the penalties drop considerably at the cost of only 1 step in AC. Both a chain shirt and studded leather have a max dex bonus of 4. __________________ “Every tavern’s an opportunity, I say.”