[GenXCub]

I had posted about the Dual Weapons cutting your skill in half... I was just re-posting what I had read on Spydah's Wiz 8 DB which seems to be very accurate from the general concensus... here's the article:


Dual Weapon Info

By Zzled (Vault Network Wiz 8 Board)

Dual Weapons: .005(at '100' bonus is 100 x .005 =.5) of weapon skill Attack Rating bonus for primary weapon.

.0025 of weapon skill Attack Rating bonus for secondary weapon.

note: percentage-wise enables all the extra attacks, swings, and attack rating you'd receive from weapon skills.

note: 0 skill gives 1/2 weapon skill bonuses for primary 1/4 weapon skill bonuses for secondary.

note: strength damage bonus for second weapon starts off 1/4.

Quick Summary: If you're using two weapons, try to make sure they come from the same weapon category (mixing Swords and Daggers is a waste of your skill points) and concentrate on skills in the following order: 1. The specific weapon skill; 2. Dual Weapons; 3. Close/Ranged Combat.

Other possible points of note:

1. The Dual Weapons skill affects accuracy both when using two weapons for Close Combat AS WELL AS WHEN USING TWO WEAPONS FOR RANGED COMBAT. Everyone suffers an accuracy penalty when trying to throw items with both hands. Thus, the Ninja may need to spend points on Dual Weapons as well.

2. Martial Arts (fighting unarmed) is NOT affected by Dual Weapons at all. Putting points into Dual Weapons if you plan to fight with your bare hands (or with only one weapon) is a waste.

3. Fighting with a weapon and a shield is NOT affected by Dual Weapons either.

I did a little analysis of accuracy when using two weapons, and it comes up as follows:

If you are using two weapons from the SAME weapon class (ie. a Katana and a Wakizashi, two Daggers, two sets of Shurikens, etc.), the skill that contributes MOST to your accuracy is the specific weapon skill (ie. Swords, Daggers, Throwing, etc.). The skill that contributes the second greatest amount is Dual Weapons. The skill that contributes the least is Close Combat (or Ranged Combat). Thus, you should try to max the specific weapon skill first, Dual Weapons second, and Close/Ranged Combat last of all.

If you are using two weapons from DIFFERENT weapon classes (eg. a Broadsword and a Dagger), the skill that contributes the most to your accuracy is DUAL WEAPONS. After this comes the specific weapon skill of your PRIMARY weapon (in this case, Swords), and is closely followed by the specific weapon skill of your SECONDARY weapon (in this case, Daggers). Again, the skills that contributes the least is Close Combat. Note that if you use weapons from two different weapon classes, you suffer a double penalty: 1. You need to develop more skills; 2. If your skill in one weapon is low, you are less accurate with THE OTHER WEAPON TOO. Thus, if you want to use two weapons, try to use two weapons from the same weapon class.

Maxing Close Combat adds about +16% to accuracy.

Maxing Secondary Weapon Skill adds about +24%.

Maxing Primary Weapon Skill adds about +28%.

Maxing Dual Weapons Skill adds about +40%.

Maxing Both Weapon Skills (or if both hands use the same type of Weapon) adds about +56%.

Note, however, that although a person using two weapons with NO SKILLS is less accurate than a person using one weapon with no skills... a person with MAXED skills using two weapons is approximately as accurate a person with maxed skills using one weapon. Of course, the person with two weapons gets more attacks and possibly more damage, which is why you wanted to use two weapons in the first place.

Quick Summary: Characters can get more attacks using Dual Weapons in the LONG RUN.