Offhand Weapon skill
Offhand Weapon skill represents a characters ability to use a weapon in their offhand (left hand currently). It has been explicitly stated that this skill solely covers non-brawling weaponry, as brawling is considered to be a full body attack, without any sense of on- or offhand.
Offhand is often referred to as 'Dual Wielding' since one is capable of wielding a weapon in both hands and attacking with either one at any point in battle. The weapon wielded as offhand can be anything from a sword to a throwing dagger, including throwing with the off hand.
Syntax
To use the offhand skill, the word LEFT must immediately follow whichever attack verb is being used, as in SLICE LEFT. It is fully compatible with FEINT+attack and AMBUSH, so FEINT SLICE LEFT will function, as will AMBUSH SLICE LEFT.
Use
Offhand attacks are a two skill contest, using 70% of your Offhand skill and 30% of the appropriate weapon skill. Likewise, the experience gained from attacking this way is also distributed 70/30.
However, the hybrid amount of skill used to attack will never exceed the user's normal weapon skill. No matter what the level of Offhand Weapon skill, the attack will not be superior to that of one made with an onhand weapon.
Managing Combos
Combos in dual wielding are simply maneuvered, as well. If both weapons are edged of the same size and type, slashing or thrusting, you simply follow your combo in a line no matter which hand you attack with. In the case of both weapons being edged, one being medium and one being light, you simply move to the next attack in the sequence for the weapon you are switching to. For example, if your right hand is Medium Edged/slicing and your left hand is Light edged/thrusting, and your last attack was a sweep (right), your next attack would be: thrust left. This will maintain your balance and make sure you're still in good position.
Other combinations of weapons are effective as well, it is fully possible to wield a longsword in one hand and a hammer in the other, provided neither is a two handed weapon. Thrown weapons are highly effective from offhand since you need not lose your parry weapon when you throw them nor do you need to wield a new weapon into an empty right hand.
Guild-Specific Uses
- Barbarians, if meeting the restrictions, can use Whirlwind to attack with both their primary and offhand weapons.
- Thieves can Backstab offhand, if holding a suitable weapon in the offhand.
Restrictions
The user's skillset placement determines the heaviest weapon they can use offhand.
- Primary Weapon: Heavy or lighter.
- Secondary Weapons: Medium or lighter.
- Tertiary Weapons: Light only.
Two-handed weapons cannot be used in the offhand.
It is not currently possible to parry with a weapon held in the offhand, although neither holding nor using a weapon in the offhand will prevent arm-worn shield use. Various GMs have indicated plans to allow for "Offhand Parry."
Training
Dual wielding allows a fighter to hold a lower-skilled weapon in their left hand and a higher-skilled weapon in their right, parry is still counted against your right hand weapon so you count no penalty for training the lower-skilled weapon in your left hand.
A good strategy for Dual wielding is to carry a heavier weapon in your right hand and a lighter one in your left. This allows you to change off, if you find your attacks are taking too long to execute, you can use the lighter weapon to attack faster. If you find your attacks arn't hitting hard enough, you can use the heavier weapon to cause more damage.
Training at Level
For those able to do so, the massive damage caused by offhand Whirlwind will make it an effective means of training, as will BACKSTAB.
Backtraining
The best way to backtrain Offhand Weapon Skill is to use the character's most skilled weapon, guild restrictions allowing, and hunt the most difficult creature that you are able to hit. Though you will learn little to nothing of the weapon skill, the fact you are using 30% of your best weapon will allow you to hunt much higher, and receive more experience, than you would using a lesser weapon.
Unresolved Bugs
- FEINT LEFT will be balance neutral, regardless of weapon used or previous attack.
Resolved Bugs
- Using <Brawl Attack> LEFT will no longer use or teach Offhand Weapon skill.