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Legolas · 02-06-2006, 08:25 AM

You can dual-wield longswords if you're not one of the smaller races (halfling and gnome). That would give you one extra off-hand attack, but this attack is made at -10 to hit. In addition, your regular attacks are made at -6 to hit.

Taking the Ambidexterity feat reduces the off-hand penalty by -4. Taking the Two Weapon Fighting feat reduces the penalty for main and off-hand attacks by -2 each. Using a smaller weapon in the off-hand (a shortsword, sickle or dagger rather than a longsword, for example) reduces the penalty by -2 each again.
Lastly, the Improved Two Weapon Fighting feat gives you a second off-hand attack.

Taking all the feats (requiring a DEX 15 or better) and using a proper set of weapons means that you can reduce the penalty to -2/-2, or -4/-4 if you want to use a pair of longswords. That's well worth it for two extra attacks per round, but you have to remember you're also giving up on a Shield AC bonus and the Two-Handed Weapon damage bonus.

Since it requires three feats, dual-wielding is best reserved for Fighters or Champions of Torm, as they get extra combat feats as part of their class package.
Better still is to use a ranger, who requires none of the feats, nor a DEX 15, provided they don't use medium or heavy armor. They get the attack penalty reducing feats at first level, and the bonus off-hand attack at level 9.

You can also get the Ambidexterity and Two Weapon Fighting feats as properties on certain items.

Lastly, since dual-wielding typically requires a high DEX score either to get the feats, or to compensate for lack of armor, it doesn't hurt to combine them with weapons subject to the Weapon Finesse feat. Longswords aren't included there, however.

So all in all, while you can dual-wield longswords with success, they're not the optimal dual-wielding weapons.
Since you're sacrificing attack bonus for attacks per round, you'll typically find it used by Monks (Kama's) or Weapon Masters (Rapier, Kukri), who benefit most from it.
Rangers use it with almost any weapon combination because that's what they do in NWN. Forget using bows, that's better left to Fighters and Arcane Archers.

02-06-2006, 08:25 AM	#2
Legolas Jack Burton Join Date: March 31, 2001 Location: The zephyr lands beneath the brine. Age: 40 Posts: 5,459	You can dual-wield longswords if you're not one of the smaller races (halfling and gnome). That would give you one extra off-hand attack, but this attack is made at -10 to hit. In addition, your regular attacks are made at -6 to hit. Taking the Ambidexterity feat reduces the off-hand penalty by -4. Taking the Two Weapon Fighting feat reduces the penalty for main and off-hand attacks by -2 each. Using a smaller weapon in the off-hand (a shortsword, sickle or dagger rather than a longsword, for example) reduces the penalty by -2 each again. Lastly, the Improved Two Weapon Fighting feat gives you a second off-hand attack. Taking all the feats (requiring a DEX 15 or better) and using a proper set of weapons means that you can reduce the penalty to -2/-2, or -4/-4 if you want to use a pair of longswords. That's well worth it for two extra attacks per round, but you have to remember you're also giving up on a Shield AC bonus and the Two-Handed Weapon damage bonus. Since it requires three feats, dual-wielding is best reserved for Fighters or Champions of Torm, as they get extra combat feats as part of their class package. Better still is to use a ranger, who requires none of the feats, nor a DEX 15, provided they don't use medium or heavy armor. They get the attack penalty reducing feats at first level, and the bonus off-hand attack at level 9. You can also get the Ambidexterity and Two Weapon Fighting feats as properties on certain items. Lastly, since dual-wielding typically requires a high DEX score either to get the feats, or to compensate for lack of armor, it doesn't hurt to combine them with weapons subject to the Weapon Finesse feat. Longswords aren't included there, however. So all in all, while you can dual-wield longswords with success, they're not the optimal dual-wielding weapons. Since you're sacrificing attack bonus for attacks per round, you'll typically find it used by Monks (Kama's) or Weapon Masters (Rapier, Kukri), who benefit most from it. Rangers use it with almost any weapon combination because that's what they do in NWN. Forget using bows, that's better left to Fighters and Arcane Archers. __________________ Say NO to the Trouser Tyranny!