Dual Weapons Skill Development

[petertmorgan]

So I've seen one reference in this forum to using thrown weapons 'two handed', i.e. putting a thrown weapon in each hand. I'm using this technique to develop my dual weapons skill in a Rogue, and it works (dual weapons skill has gone up even in battles where the enemy never got into melee range). Also, at least early in the game, it has produced more damage than perhaps using bow and arrow would use, perhaps less than a crossbow (assuming normal ammunition). One drawback is that the range is more limited than with a bow.

This seems to be a good strategy for Rogues (and of course Ninja), but I wonder if this isn't a good technique for all fighter types who want dual weapons. You're not losing much if anything in terms of ranged combat, and that's not really the focus for these characters anyway, but it gives you one or two extra rounds at the start of combat (and sometimes in the middle of combat after that monster right in front of you dies) to practice dual weapons.

One problem is that prior to Arnika/Trynton the supply of throwables may be too low to do this for more than one character.

Are there any other drawbacks?

I have one drawback for you, in the game its very very hard to have enough throwing items. Seriously, when your charater with dual throwing weapons, he wastes so many of em (generally they have high speed and such). My ninja had to stop using em, and just going to shopkeepers and stocking up. But eventually you'll find a returning shuriken, very very nice. But it is a good idea, you just might have to limit it to one person only

Where are my manners? Welcome to IW Petermorgan!!! [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

[petertmorgan]

Thanks for the welcome!

I had the feeling the lack of throwable hardware was a problem. I recently went through Trynton where I picked up about 100 'dropped' feather darts (tree sprites or leaf sprites dropped them, I think) as well as other throwables. Anna in Arnika seems to have no more than 20 throwing knives and darts at a time. Other than that they have been scarce...

[Ziggurat]

My throwing ability goes up using the sling, so you can always use that as an alternative but it's not two-handed. I seem to get more "crit"-type ranged hits (including unconsciousness) as I go along in the game (even the bishop). Of course, the ammo gets better so I may be partly deceived. But at least it doesn't run out like most thrown objects. Use the thrown objects using 2-hands, switch to sling til you get more, switch back, etc.

[Scatter]

It's real fun to have Boomerang Shurikan in one hand and a handful of Death Stars in the other...
Dual goes up really fast if you get 2 Doublestrike Daggers...Dagger jumps up too.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

I try to get the Double shot sling ASAP. This really helps with throwing items.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Here's a little tip for those playing Samurai'. If you're looking for the "Bushido Blade" you can get it by killing Raven Rapax. Just save before you squish him and you should get it fairly quickly. Sorry to thode of you who already know this; I just got it for the first time but I can't use it.

[Rezdude03]

double (or triple) shot items are helpful early in the game, but it gets very annoying later cause you will lose much of your good ammo (or all of it). but by then your skills should be high enough to do plenty of damage. if you want good double shot items, get a gadjeteer. they can mix two light crossbows and make a double shot. give it a try if you want ranged up. as long as ranged is up, throwing and sling should build fast.

[Scatter]

...and when your gad gets a few more engineering points, they can make tripleshot X-Bows.