Difference between revisions of "Attacks with Two Weapons"

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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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'''Attacking with two [[Weapons List|weapons]]''' is an available [[Combat|combat]] 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.  Each attack will expend 2 [[Action Points|action points]] (AP) as usual, so the combatant who wishes to use two weapons in this manner should be lightly [[Encumbrance|encumbered]].
  
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A [[Pummelling|fist]] can be used as a secondary weapon; the benefit of this is that it does not need to be drawn or sheathed, meaning that it can be used spontaneously one round and then not another.  The drawback is that a character with little strength is unlikely to cause much damage with it.
  
EDITING; NOT COMPLETED YET
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== Coupled with Multiple Attacks ==
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If the character has sufficient [[Experience Level|levels]] or skill to have [[Multiple Attacks|multiple attacks]] per [[Combat Round|round]], that will not only adjust the AP spent to only 1 point per weapon, but it also counteract the penalty for use.  For example, Petra has a 16 dexterity and normally attacks with two weapons, accepting the penalty.  However, upon becoming a 4th level fighter, she increases the number of attacks she makes to five every four rounds.  For three rounds, she still attacks as she did at 3rd level; on the fourth round, however she gets ''two'' attacks; these are both made with 1 AP each and neither has any penalty at all.  Additionally, if she wishes, she may choose to attack twice with her primary weapon, with the same AP cost, as this is what she'd be able to do if she were only attacking with one weapon and had the benefit of multiple attacks (if only for one round out of every four).
  
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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Petra could not, however, option to continue accepting her usual penalties in order to gain ''four attacks'' from using two weapons.  The choice of taking advantage of this style of fighting does not award her more than two attacks. The benefit of multiple attacks is that her two normally penalized attacks become stronger.  
  
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.
 
  
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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See Also,<br>
 
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[[Attacking in Combat]]<br>
Note that using a fist can be considered a second 'weapon.'
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[[Grazioso (spell)|Grazioso]]
 
 
See Attacking in Combat
 

Revision as of 02:41, 24 August 2020

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

Attacking with two weapons is an available combat strategy for characters with a 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. Each attack will expend 2 action points (AP) as usual, so the combatant who wishes to use two weapons in this manner should be lightly encumbered.

A fist can be used as a secondary weapon; the benefit of this is that it does not need to be drawn or sheathed, meaning that it can be used spontaneously one round and then not another. The drawback is that a character with little strength is unlikely to cause much damage with it.

Coupled with Multiple Attacks

If the character has sufficient levels or skill to have multiple attacks per round, that will not only adjust the AP spent to only 1 point per weapon, but it also counteract the penalty for use. For example, Petra has a 16 dexterity and normally attacks with two weapons, accepting the penalty. However, upon becoming a 4th level fighter, she increases the number of attacks she makes to five every four rounds. For three rounds, she still attacks as she did at 3rd level; on the fourth round, however she gets two attacks; these are both made with 1 AP each and neither has any penalty at all. Additionally, if she wishes, she may choose to attack twice with her primary weapon, with the same AP cost, as this is what she'd be able to do if she were only attacking with one weapon and had the benefit of multiple attacks (if only for one round out of every four).

Petra could not, however, option to continue accepting her usual penalties in order to gain four attacks from using two weapons. The choice of taking advantage of this style of fighting does not award her more than two attacks. The benefit of multiple attacks is that her two normally penalized attacks become stronger.


See Also,
Attacking in Combat
Grazioso