Let's discuss! Sword and Shield? Two-handed weapon? Double weapon fighting style?

[Zoltan]

Two-handed causes 1d10 damage, only 2 damage more than a long sword. And also let's don't forget about the speed factor! But two weapon must be the best? 2d8 damage! plus GrandMastery bonuses!! But then thaco sucks

Anybody knows what it's for the "speed factor"? For example If my weapon's speed factor is too low can I have extra attacks or not?

Thank u all

[Tuor]

Speed factor determines at what stage in a round a character makes his attacks.

In pnp you roll a 10 side dice, add your speed factor then take away dex bonuses and whoever gets the lowest goes first. You don't get extra attacks if your speed factor is low.

the lower the speed factor the better

You are probably half right about two weapon style doing more damage than two handed weapon style damage.

Why?

You are assuming you hit with both the weapons you are dual wielding this is not necessarily always the case. Especially for non fighter classes- one weapon slot in dual wielding and one in your chosen weapons-you're going to miss a hell of a lot with both weapons. The same character wielding a 2h weapon stands a far better chance of hitting and doing damage because he doesn't get the negative bonuses.

The only time your argument stands up properly is when you are talking about good fighters with lots of weapon proficiencies in dual wielding (has to be three) and the in weapon(s) they are going to dual wield.


Dual wielding fighters are very tough I just wouldn;t recommend it for other classes-except maybe the swashbuckler.

[Billikins the Bold]

Or perhaps the ranger, who comes with two proficiencies in dual wielding already

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Fear? I know not the meaning of the word. And you can keep that dictionary away from me!

[Zoltan]

So you mean If I spend 3 slots in two weapon style It rocks There's no difference between a ranger who spend 3 slot in 2 weapon stlye and a fighter who spend 3 slot in 2 weapon style, right?

And dont you think that shield is necessary?

[Jerome]

Well, you sacrifice armour for (hopefully) added damage.

Plus, correct me if i'm wrong but do dual weilders receive an extra attack per round? Just wondering...

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[Tuor]

There is a MASSIVE diference between a ranger with 3 slots in two weapon style and a fighter with 3 slots in two weapon style because the fighter can grandmaster in a weapon while the ranger cannot-hes stuck with being specialised.

In short the fighter will be better at wielding two weapons if all other things are equal.

in reply to Bilikins the ranger is considered a fighter class-same thaco weapon choice, number of proficiencies, proficiency advancement, hit points, choice of armour etc-he just can put more than two proficiencies in a single type of weapon (unless he's an archer).

Yes two weapon style does rock but you sacrifice your AC. It is usualy better to make your secondary fighter or a dual class fighter/mage a dual wielder and get them to enter combat after your tank because they take less hits.

Dual wielders do get extra attacks but I'm not sure how many (I think its one)

I would like to emphasize just how much of a bad idea it is to dual wield if you only have one proficiency in a weapon type (even with three proficiencies in dual weapon style) the only non fighter class that can get away with it is the swashbuckler I believe because he can put extra slots into some weapons-long swprd, dagger etc.

[Kitty]

Two-handed weapons (melee) have two major drawbacks: speed factor and the lack of a shield. But in BGII you'll find some really good two-handed swords - it's a shame if at least one party member can't wield them.
They are best wielded by someone with a good dexterity (for AC), two slots in two handed weapon style (for the critical hits and the speed bonus),very high strenght,preferrably 18/91 or greater (for the THAC0 and damage)and as many as possible proficiency points in a given two-handed weapon (for THAC0, hit, damage and speed). Well, enough said, let's make it short: the best wielder of a two-handed weapon is a fighter. I'm currently playing with a female berserker with all I said above - no regrets. Doing about 23 damage to an enemy in a single hit is awesome - imagine a critical hit!
Two weapon style also sacrifices your AC because you're not allowed to use a shield, and it brings penalties to THAC0 - but it doesn't have the speed problem. Although fighters can have 3 slots in two weapon style and get grandmastery, which deal a lot of damage, they have to spend too much time on getting proficiency points just to get rid of the penalties. In my sincere opinion, since rangers get 2 points on 2 weapon style as a bonus since the beginning, they make the best dual-wielders. However, if one doesn't bother about that, fighters are much better in the long run.
Cheers,
Kitty

[Thrawn]

don't forget bastard swords, you can dual wield them and i belive they have more damage than long swords.

[Kitty]

Yes, but there aren't good bastard swords in BGII except for Jhor the Bleeder (and you get this baby relatively late in the game).

[Ace Flashheart]

In SoA go two handed swords... but my advice is to use long swords and bastard swords duel welded when you get to ToB (and of course hammers and maces for clerics).