I played a swashbuckler my first time through SOA, dual wielding longswords, katana and wakizashi, depending on the situation.

What are the advantages and disadvantatges to various class options (pureclass, multiclass or dual)when it comes to dual-wielding?

Kensai or fighter.
They get better Thaco and more hitpoints than the Swashbuckler and can dual anything they like.

Obviously the ranger class would have an advantage since you don't have to expend two proficiency points on dual-wielding.

As for the rest...maybe the blade would make a good dual-wielder, given the offensive and defensive spin capabilities?

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some kits only allow one star like theives and some allow 2 or three stars eg fighter, paladin and blade (bard kit) the advantages is that you have from duel-wielding is that you get to use 2 weapons at once :D the dissadvantage is you THAC0 (To hit accuracy zero) decreases drematicaly.</font>

[ 05-28-2002, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Memnoch ]

Daniel, mind closing your HTML tags when you post? I know you want to make your sig red, but leaving HTML tags open can have consequences on the posts beneath you (they end up red as well).

We're cool with people using HTML on this forum, just as long as they close off their tags within the message area. [img]smile.gif[/img]

go with a kensai. they dont wear armor, bracers, helmets, or get shields, but i LOVE them. they just put a hurting on someone. as for me, i have TOB, so i dualed him to a thief, got use any item, and now i wear shadow dragon armor. (My 49th level kensai, 50th level mage is GOD!!!!) anyway, a straight kensai is great too. i have an elven kensai, and he is awesome. i feel katana is the only way to go with these guys, though i did a half-orc kensai who wielded crom faeyr. ill just say.......OUCH!!!!!

If you are into straight classes (no Dual or Multi class), then I wouldn't rule out Stalkers. A stalker dual-wielding will get 3 attacks per round. Put the Belm in his off-hand and he will have 4. At lvl 13 (IIRC) he gains the mage spell Haste, which will give him 5 attacks per round. Plus he can backstab (for lesser amounts). And he can still wear Studded Leather armor, Helmets, Bracers, etc.
Not to mention up to 3rd level druid spells, plus Haste, Protection from Missles, and Minor Spell Turning.
Quite a combo.

I went with a Kensai the first time I decided to dual wield, it was also my first time dual/ing classes. Have to admit that Kensai-Mage really rocked. I also enjoyed dual wielding my bounty hunter, especially after he acheived the ability to wield any weopon.

Just simply use a ranger for dual-wielding!!!
But Stalkers are just MMMAAADDDD wif dual-wielded weapons... lots of attacks perround and the mage spells as a bonus....
"hhhmmmmmmmm mmmmmm tastes like chicken!"

PEACE

Kensai/thieves and multi fighter/thieves should consider equipping Scarlet Ninja-To in their off hand. With Gloves of Extraordinary Specialisation you end up with 5 attacks per round. Have your mage cast Improved Haste on you and voila, a 23 round Greater Whirlwind. Who needs the Fighter high level abilities when you can run into battle swinging out 10 Assassination attacks per round?

Kensai/Mages can do their own casting of Improved Haste but they are stuck with Belm if they want the extra attack, and dont get the extra half attack from the gloves. 9 attacks per round is almost as good as 10 though [img]smile.gif[/img]