Difference between 2 swords and sword and shield?

Wyldman · 08-09-2004, 04:16 PM

Just an observance, but it seems that even with two weapons used, only one actually hits, even with the skills.
So what's is the real difference between sword and shield and two swords? Aside from the obvious.

Brainless One · 08-09-2004, 04:24 PM

The offhand weapon does indeed hit, but very rarely, compared to the rate the main-hand weapon attacks. Other differences is that when using Sword and Shield style (it doesnt have to be a sword, any one-handed weapon) you gain a bonus to your armor class against missile weapons. Dual weapon fighting leads to a decrease in accuracy for both hands. Hope this answers your question,
-Brainless One

Thrain · 08-09-2004, 05:49 PM

it isn't just that.

using a shield will improve your overall AC and your AC againstmissiles even more. putting a weapon in your shield hand gives you one extra attack per round.

the benefits of using a weapon in your shield hand are more to do with the special abilities a weapon can bestow. for example, weapons like belm and kundane are average main hand weapons due to damage and enchantment, but make awesome off-hand weapons because they will give the main hand an extra attack. the crom is another great off-hand weapon, grnating the bonuses of 25 strength to your main hand.

vesselle · 08-10-2004, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thrain:
grnating the bonuses of 25 strength to your main hand.

maybe it's cuz its after midnight and i'm sleepy, but i can't decipher "grnating". help please?

V***V

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 08-10-2004, 01:18 AM

... Granting, maybe?

And another benefit for using two swords is having an insane number of attacks when using weapons you have 3-5 stars in and Improved Haste.

T-D-C · 08-10-2004, 01:36 AM

Another benifit is that you can use different weapon types. Mace and sword perhaps to get past monsters that may be immune to different damage types.

Thrain · 08-10-2004, 07:53 AM

yeah it means granting *sheepish grin* was kinda tired when typing. forgive me

unless you want a really low AC for one character, i would always dual wield as the only shields in SoA that confer any real immunities are the shield of harmony, the shield of the lost and the shield of balduran.

JrKASperov · 08-10-2004, 09:07 AM

Offhand weapon not hitting? You must be playing with a thief! A fighter with at least two stars has no penalty on his main hand, and that totally deletes all disadvantages save no shield. What you do get is a nice chance to score some more damage, and don't forget all the cool abilities granted by offhand weapons!

vesselle · 08-10-2004, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thrain:
yeah it means granting *sheepish grin* was kinda tired when typing. forgive me

*slaps her forehead* of course!
and you shouldn't apologize for it. i can't believe i couldn't figure that one out on my own.

Neo the Warrior Cat · 08-10-2004, 04:12 PM

Other good offhand weapons ore those that might be able to cast spells or grant immunities but are otherwise weak. Good example is the Ilbratha +1 that can cast mirror image.

EDIT: Fixed minor typos...

[ 08-10-2004, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Neo the Warrior Cat ]

08-09-2004, 04:16 PM	#1
Wyldman Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: July 8, 2004 Location: Maryland Age: 56 Posts: 10	Just an observance, but it seems that even with two weapons used, only one actually hits, even with the skills. So what's is the real difference between sword and shield and two swords? Aside from the obvious. __________________ Doooon\'t teach my hampster to suck eggs!

08-09-2004, 05:49 PM	#3
Thrain Dungeon Master Join Date: July 23, 2004 Location: England Age: 39 Posts: 77	it isn't just that. using a shield will improve your overall AC and your AC againstmissiles even more. putting a weapon in your shield hand gives you one extra attack per round. the benefits of using a weapon in your shield hand are more to do with the special abilities a weapon can bestow. for example, weapons like belm and kundane are average main hand weapons due to damage and enchantment, but make awesome off-hand weapons because they will give the main hand an extra attack. the crom is another great off-hand weapon, grnating the bonuses of 25 strength to your main hand. __________________ <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[rockon]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/wootrock.gif\" /> <br /><br />Keeping Dwarvish Tradition Drunk since 983

08-10-2004, 01:18 AM	#5
Illumina Drathiran'ar Apophis Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window. Age: 39 Posts: 4,673	... Granting, maybe? And another benefit for using two swords is having an insane number of attacks when using weapons you have 3-5 stars in and Improved Haste. __________________ http://cavestory.org PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously. http://xkcd.com/386/ http://www.xkcd.com/406/ My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.

08-10-2004, 01:36 AM	#6
T-D-C Ironworks Moderator Join Date: October 26, 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 44 Posts: 4,416	Another benifit is that you can use different weapon types. Mace and sword perhaps to get past monsters that may be immune to different damage types. __________________

08-10-2004, 07:53 AM	#7
Thrain Dungeon Master Join Date: July 23, 2004 Location: England Age: 39 Posts: 77	yeah it means granting sheepish grin was kinda tired when typing. forgive me unless you want a really low AC for one character, i would always dual wield as the only shields in SoA that confer any real immunities are the shield of harmony, the shield of the lost and the shield of balduran. __________________ <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[rockon]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/wootrock.gif\" /> <br /><br />Keeping Dwarvish Tradition Drunk since 983

08-09-2004, 04:24 PM	#2
Brainless One Zhentarim Guard Join Date: July 24, 2002 Location: Arm's length from my monitor. Age: 35 Posts: 367	The offhand weapon does indeed hit, but very rarely, compared to the rate the main-hand weapon attacks. Other differences is that when using Sword and Shield style (it doesnt have to be a sword, any one-handed weapon) you gain a bonus to your armor class against missile weapons. Dual weapon fighting leads to a decrease in accuracy for both hands. Hope this answers your question, -Brainless One

08-10-2004, 09:07 AM	#8
JrKASperov Fzoul Chembryl Join Date: July 16, 2003 Location: Wa\'eni\'n Age: 39 Posts: 1,701	Offhand weapon not hitting? You must be playing with a thief! A fighter with at least two stars has no penalty on his main hand, and that totally deletes all disadvantages save no shield. What you do get is a nice chance to score some more damage, and don't forget all the cool abilities granted by offhand weapons! __________________ God is in the rain.

08-10-2004, 04:12 PM	#10
Neo the Warrior Cat Avatar Join Date: July 6, 2004 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Age: 37 Posts: 528	Other good offhand weapons ore those that might be able to cast spells or grant immunities but are otherwise weak. Good example is the Ilbratha +1 that can cast mirror image. EDIT: Fixed minor typos... [ 08-10-2004, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Neo the Warrior Cat ] __________________ \"I haven\'t the time for this!\"-Irenicus <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[mage1]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/mage1.gif\" />

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