Difference between revisions of "Attacks with Two Weapons"

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[[File:Attacks with Two Weapons b.jpg|right|560px|thumb]]
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'''Attacking with two weapons'''  is an option for characters with a [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]] exceeding 12.  Both [[Weapons List|weapons]] must be light enough to wield with one hand, with the off-hand weapon not exceeding 3½ lbs. in weight.  [[Attacking in Combat|Attacks]] made with the weapons each require 2 [[Action Points|action points]] (AP) — so that striking twice in one [[Combat Round|round]] requires a total of 4 AP.
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Naturally this means that combatants wishing to "dual-wield" must be lightly [[Encumbrance|encumbered]].  One option is to use the [[Pummelling|fist]] as a secondary weapon, as striking with the fist requires only 1 AP.  Better still, the fist need not be drawn or sheathed, so that it can be used spontaneously one round and then not the next.  The drawback is that a character with little [[Strength (ability stat)|strength]] is unlikely to cause much [[Damage (hit points)|damage]] with it.
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! rowspan="2"|Dexterity !! colspan="2"|Penalty to Weapon
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! rowspan="2"; style="width: 60px|Dexterity !! colspan="2"|Penalty to Weapon
 
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!Primary !! Secondary
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! style="width: 60px|Primary !! style="width: 60px|Secondary
 
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| 12 or less || colspan="2"|ineligible
 
| 12 or less || colspan="2"|ineligible
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'''Attacking with two [[Weapons List|weapons]]''' is an available strategy for characters with a [[Dexterity (ability stat)|dexterity]] greater than 12. The combatant must be able to use both weapons one handedly; the secondary weapon may not weigh more than 3½ lbs.  The penalty that is incurred by using two weapons is indicated on the chart shown.
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== Penalties ==
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When describing the two weapons, the "primary" weapon is the heavier, main weapon of the character, while the off-hand weapon is called the "secondary."  With most combatants, both weapons are assigned certain penalties.
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As the table shown indicates, the penalties against characters with a less than 16 dexterity greatly reduces the practicality of this approach.  However, with characters who obtain a [[THAC0]] of 16 or better, the penalties when fighting a number of lesser enemies become immaterial compared to the potential of damage done and [[Death|kills]] made.
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Characters with a 17 or 18 dexterity should consider the practicality of two weapons from the start, however.  With little or no penalty accruing to the main weapon, the secondary attack is far more beneficial than no attack at all.  Additionally, there are numerous benefits from the [[Puissance (sage study)|study of puissance]] that contribute to this attack strategy.
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== Benefits from Multiple Attacks ==
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{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 25px; text-align: center; background-color:#d4f2f2;"
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|-
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! rowspan=2; style="width: 60px|# Attacks/ Round !! colspan=4|Order of attack routine
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! style="width: 130px|1st round !! style="width: 130px|2nd round !! style="width: 130px|3rd round !! style="width: 130px|4th round
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| 5/4 || primary/secondary || primary/secondary || primary/2x secondary || 2x primary/secondary
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|-
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| 4/3 || primary/secondary || primary/2x secondary || 2x primary/secondary ||
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|-
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| 3/2 || primary/2x secondary || 2x primary/secondary || colspan=2|
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|-
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| 5/3 || primary/2x secondary || 2x primary/secondary || 2x primary/2x secondary ||
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Characters who receive [[Multiple Attacks|multiple attacks]] per round due to their [[Experience Level|experience]] can benefit considerably from attacks with two weapons.  As fighter-types increase from one normal attack per round, extra attacks are received for both primary and secondary weapons.  The order of benefit is given on the table shown.
  
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The character must keep track of which point in the routine comes the next attack.  So long as an attack was made in the preceding round, the next combination is applied, regardless of how many attacks were previously made.
  
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: '''For example''', Thomas is dual-wielding with three attacks every two rounds.  In the 2nd round, he succeeded in killing his only opponent with the sword hit, and didn't need to use his secondary weapon twice; instead, he moved across the field of combat and engaged a new enemy.  Now in the 3rd round, he's still entitled to his double primary weapon attack and his secondary attack.
  
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Attacking with two weapons will also adjust the number of attacks of a combatant who receives more attacks due to their level or by magical means, particularly in the number of action points (AP) spent. Remember, if a combatant employs two weapons in their attack, then a 2 AP cost must be accepted for each attack that is made. However, if the combatant is a fighter of 4th level or above, and thus potentially receives 2 attacks in a given round, then each of these attacks has only a 1 AP cost, as the attacks are considered to be lightning quick.
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: Contrariwise, in the battle, if he hadn't made his 2nd round routine attack at all, he'd still receive that 2nd round with his next attack, wherever that might happen.
  
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As an example, Ephraim is a fighter who receives 3 attacks every 2 rounds, who in turn is using a sword and a dagger when attacking. Every other round, when receiving one attack, Ephraim fights normally, using each weapon once with a cost of 4 total AP. When receiving two attacks due to his level, Ephraim uses each weapon twice - but this weapon use still uses 4 total AP.
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As with all multiple attacks, whenever a given weapon attack is done twice, those attacks require 1 action point to resolve.  In the example above, if Thomas were to attack in the second round with his primary weapon and only one secondary weapon, this would cost 2 AP for the primary attack and 1 AP for the secondary.
  
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The alternative might be to make rules wherein Ephraim's attacks are spaced between the two rounds, striking in the first round with one primary weapon and two secondary weapons, in which case the two secondary attacks would require 1 AP each to make; then striking in the second round with two primary weapons and one secondary weapon, with the AP costs reversed. This could, however, become very complicated in a large combat and may therefore not be a desirable rule to make.
 
  
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Note that using a fist can be considered a second 'weapon.'
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See also,<br>
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[[Attacking in Combat]]<br>
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[[Grazioso (spell)|Grazioso]]<br>
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[[Haste (spell)]]
  
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See Attacking in Combat
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[[Category: Reviewed]]

Latest revision as of 21:03, 29 October 2023

Attacks with Two Weapons b.jpg

Attacking with two weapons is an option for characters with a dexterity exceeding 12. Both weapons must be light enough to wield with one hand, with the off-hand weapon not exceeding 3½ lbs. in weight. Attacks made with the weapons each require 2 action points (AP) — so that striking twice in one round requires a total of 4 AP.

Naturally this means that combatants wishing to "dual-wield" must be lightly encumbered. One option is to use the fist as a secondary weapon, as striking with the fist requires only 1 AP. Better still, the fist need not be drawn or sheathed, so that it can be used spontaneously one round and then not the next. The drawback is that a character with little strength is unlikely to cause much damage with it.

Dexterity Penalty to Weapon
Primary Secondary
12 or less ineligible
13-15 -2 -4
16 -1 -3
17 -1 -2
18 0 -2
19 0 -1

Penalties

When describing the two weapons, the "primary" weapon is the heavier, main weapon of the character, while the off-hand weapon is called the "secondary." With most combatants, both weapons are assigned certain penalties.

As the table shown indicates, the penalties against characters with a less than 16 dexterity greatly reduces the practicality of this approach. However, with characters who obtain a THAC0 of 16 or better, the penalties when fighting a number of lesser enemies become immaterial compared to the potential of damage done and kills made.

Characters with a 17 or 18 dexterity should consider the practicality of two weapons from the start, however. With little or no penalty accruing to the main weapon, the secondary attack is far more beneficial than no attack at all. Additionally, there are numerous benefits from the study of puissance that contribute to this attack strategy.

Benefits from Multiple Attacks

# Attacks/ Round Order of attack routine
1st round 2nd round 3rd round 4th round
5/4 primary/secondary primary/secondary primary/2x secondary 2x primary/secondary
4/3 primary/secondary primary/2x secondary 2x primary/secondary
3/2 primary/2x secondary 2x primary/secondary
5/3 primary/2x secondary 2x primary/secondary 2x primary/2x secondary

Characters who receive multiple attacks per round due to their experience can benefit considerably from attacks with two weapons. As fighter-types increase from one normal attack per round, extra attacks are received for both primary and secondary weapons. The order of benefit is given on the table shown.

The character must keep track of which point in the routine comes the next attack. So long as an attack was made in the preceding round, the next combination is applied, regardless of how many attacks were previously made.

For example, Thomas is dual-wielding with three attacks every two rounds. In the 2nd round, he succeeded in killing his only opponent with the sword hit, and didn't need to use his secondary weapon twice; instead, he moved across the field of combat and engaged a new enemy. Now in the 3rd round, he's still entitled to his double primary weapon attack and his secondary attack.
Contrariwise, in the battle, if he hadn't made his 2nd round routine attack at all, he'd still receive that 2nd round with his next attack, wherever that might happen.

As with all multiple attacks, whenever a given weapon attack is done twice, those attacks require 1 action point to resolve. In the example above, if Thomas were to attack in the second round with his primary weapon and only one secondary weapon, this would cost 2 AP for the primary attack and 1 AP for the secondary.


See also,
Attacking in Combat
Grazioso
Haste (spell)

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