Dual Wielding

[Valarian]

It's a decent solution valerian... except there is no reason not to dual wield then. If I were to include it, I'd like it to be an alternative, with pros and cons. I'd rather say +1 damage and -1 parry OR -1 damage and +1 parry, if you want to make it versatile like that.

The +/- solution for parry/damage would also work.

As an aside, an axe isn't just a chopping weapon. You can use the edges to push away or to hook and pull. Axes, contrary to popular belief, can be used to parry and even trap blades (especially with a bearded axe). A dual-wielded axe, in the off hand, can be used to pull shields out of line for a strike with the main weapon, or the main weapon used to parry the opponents blade while you attempt a blow from the off-hand weapon.

e.g.
Battle axe: http://catalog.wlimg.com/1/20586/small- ... 782894.jpg
Bearded axe: http://www.darkknightarmoury.com/images ... H1073N.png

Article on axe use (could be useful).
http://www.hurstwic.org/history/article ... ng_axe.htm

[Rich H]

I still like the option I adopted for Dual Wielding in that it costs a Reward and gives some simply mechanical options and variations depending on Stance.

[zedturtle]

Yeah, that's something I failed to make clear in my own proposal. I certainly think it should cost a virtue or a reward.

[Ferretz]

One of the players in my group plays a dwarven merchant, who carries and axe. But recently, he found some throwing axes (I made stats for them), and in true, historical Frankish manner, he carries these in his off-hand.
It's now just a matter of time before the player wants to know if he can attack with both of them in close combat.

I've had several ideas when it comes to wielding two weapons in TOR. The way I see it, combat in the manner seen in The One Ring would rely on shields for defense, and carrying an off-hand melee weapon would be a purely offensive option (defensive off-hand weapons is a swashbuckling thing, isn't it?)

One idea is to allow two attacks, but this removes a number of dice equal to the Encumbrance of the weapon held in the other hand. So a warrior wielding A sword and an axe could attack with both, but at the cost of removing one dice from the sword attack and two from the axe attack.

Of course, this will make daggers much more interesting as an off-hand weapon, but they still require training to use effectively if you use a larger weapon in your main hand.

Finally, for those interested, we made the stats for the mentioned Throwing Axes by basing it on a regular Axe. Decrease Injury by 2, and allow it to be thrown at range: Body, Body+5, Body+10

Eirik

[Ferretz]

Edit: deleted double post.

-E.

[JoeArcher]

As an aside, an axe isn't just a chopping weapon. You can use the edges to push away or to hook and pull. Axes, contrary to popular belief, can be used to parry and even trap blades (especially with a bearded axe). A dual-wielded axe, in the off hand, can be used to pull shields out of line for a strike with the main weapon, or the main weapon used to parry the opponents blade while you attempt a blow from the off-hand weapon.

Except, if the opponent is right handed and you are too, his shield will be on his left arm, meaning, trying to pull it away from his body with your left arm will be almost impossible, unless he's standing at a very odd angle. You would fare much better if you had the axe in your main hand and used this tactic and then attacked him with your off hand dagger as his shield got pulled away from his body

[Ferretz]

I've gone over this with my group now, and instead of allowing a second attack, we'll try out giving small modifiers to the primary weapon based on the secondary one.

Dagger: +1 Damage
Short Sword: +2 Damage, +1 Encumbrance
Sword: +2 Damage, -1 Edge, +2 Encumbrance
Axe: +2 Damage, +2 Injury, +2 Encumbrance

We have derived these numbers by halving Damage (rounding down), and giving -1 to Edge for Swords and +2 to Injury for Axes.

If two different weapons are used, the character wielding them will have to use his lowest skill of the two, but he can choose what effect he will have on a Called Shot.

These will not unbalance the game in any way, as combinations of weapons give more options that may be thematically better suited for some characters, but they won't be much better than using one weapon.

For instance, using a Sword and a Short Sword will give you Damage 7, but otherwise the same stats as a Sword, with the Encumbrance of a Long Sword. Wielding two Swords gives the same stats as using a Long Sword in two hands, but with one more Encumbrance.

Eirik

[Stormcrow]

Except, if the opponent is right handed and you are too, his shield will be on his left arm, meaning, trying to pull it away from his body with your left arm will be almost impossible, unless he's standing at a very odd angle.

Not true. When using a shield, you hold it between you and your opponent—in front of you, not on your left.

Having fought right-handed in SCA battles with a shield against right-handed people wielding hooked glaives, I am personally experienced with having my shield pulled away from me so that someone could bash me.

[Stormcrow]

I continue to be mystified by the obsession people have with "I'm dual-wielding; waddoo I GET?"

I'd also like to register my dismay at the uncouth expression dual-wield.

[Glorelendil]

Meet me in the Duel Weald at sunrise, sir.