dual wield

[wynteriii]

Just curious how you guys handle a thief or assassin using 2 daggers in combat.

[Joe the Rat]

My default is Combat Options. A small Off-hand weapon can:

1) be used as a parrying dagger against one opponent (+1 to AC)
2) attack on its own with a -3 to hit
3) attack with both weapons, -2 for the main, -5 for the off-hand. The second attack can be made against a different opponent.

Your Dex bonus reduces these penalties - but never gives a bonus (the to-hit modifier at Dex 18 is 0/-2, not +1/-2)

Sword and Board had an alternate where you simply roll damage twice, and take the best roll - easier to make hits, but with a lower maximum. The catch here is that it only works with matched weapons, and only against a single target.

I think the consensus is that the backstab bonuses (+4, x2 damage) only apply to the first weapon, but you still get rear attack (+2) for the second.

[wynteriii]

On another note, what is meant when half-elfs cant find secret doors on a cursory examination, unlike elves.

[Hywaywolf]

being a half breed doesn't mean you get the best traits of both breeds. It means you get some of the traits of both breeds along with the negatives. You don't get it all.

[SmootRK]

On another note, what is meant when half-elfs cant find secret doors on a cursory examination, unlike elves.

A (full) elf, by merely walking past a secret door gets to roll to see if he/she notices (by secret GM roll, only notifying the player when successfully found). A half-elf does not get this, and he must actively declare a search like other characters in order to have a chance to detect a secret door... ie. no passive ability that works at all times.

[Dimirag]

As to Dual Wield: I allow only one attack per round, using two weapons simultaneously is a trained skill, so unless the character gets dual wield from his class or from some specialization he can't attack twice nor have a parry boost.
If he attacks with his off-hand he suffers the untrained penalty.

[MedievalMan]

Seeing as its a pair of small sized weapons my immediate idea would be to simply half the normal penalty from duel wielding and go from their.

[Maliki]

This is the rule I use for fighting with two weapons.

Fighting With Two Weapons A player or monster wielding a one handed melee weapon in each hand is allowed to attack with the offhand weapon if they miss with their primary weapon. No matter how many attacks they are entitled to, only a single attack each round can be made in this manner. Damage from the offhand attack is scored as per the offhand weapon.

[dymondy2k]

That's not a bad rule at all..

[MedievalMan]

That is a nice rule, quick and easy just the way I like rules.