With the information we have so far I would say that you wont be able to block while dual wielding but then I think dual wielding was only really added for character flavor somewhat like it was in Demon Souls. I really dont see any practical reasons in this game for dual wielding one handed weapons nor do I see any real advantages that it could have over the other weapon styles. Dual wielding looks pretty gimp but then if you dont like it dont use it, dual weilding one handed weapons looks like it is really only threre for character flavor and you still have all the weapon options you had in Oblivion, just be thankful that Bethesda is giving you the option to dual weild this time even if it is pretty gimp when compared to the other weapon styles, I mean hell Bethesda is also giving you the option of dual weilding shields for christ sake so just be thankful you have the option.

Well actually dual wielding has it own advantages and disadvantages most logical is dual wielding is not for novices it actually some sort of advanced technique of fencing its harder to operate two weapons in same time if you are not skilled enough so I expect thats
- Weapons while dual wield are slower then used just by one (weapon base speed has penalty), unless actor has enough skills in One-Handed skill (or dual wielding is leveled perk in One-Handed skill)
- While dual wielding weapons use 2x+penalty of Stamina per swing so you can do less swings unless you have good stamina or good One-Handed skill to lower penalty.
- You cannot deflect arrows (unless you are Master Fencer) while with shield you can do thats from first levels.

+ Parry is faster then Block with shield so combat more dynamic, you can faster switch from defense to attack, enemy able to do thats also, actual fencing thats is.
+ You do 2x+bonus damage more then if you have only one weapon in one time bonus damage depend on One-Handed skill (or level of dual wielding perk)
+ One handed weapon has lower weight then Shield so less encumbrance.
+ You can make special moves thats require to have two weapons equipped, like higher chance to stagger enemy after parry move, or able make attack to enemy with free hand while parry with another one.


Well then why not improve Dual-Wielding or it will be removed like was removed before spears, crossbows and throwing weapons?
I always wonder why chose such cheap way as completely axing features what have really flaws what can be fixed.

So you got a source to confirm that the dual weilding will work that way or are you just making wild assumptions? I am not saying that it is impossible to make dual weilding a viable option when compared to the other weapon styles however from what we have seen and heard it looks like there will be no real point in dual weilding one handed weapons except for character flavor. Sure it might have some advantages but it certainly looks like it wont have enough to justify using them over other weapon styles.



I dont think spears, crossbows or throwing weapons were removed because they were flawed but more because they had other priorities that would prevent them from having the time or the resources to implement them properly, besides ask the fans whether they would rather have spears, crossbows, throwing weapons or dual weilding and I am pretty sure dual weilding would come out on top.

They should just make it so when you hold both triggers you block. Because both weapons doing a power attack the same time isn't necessarily needed.

I don't know about parrying. I think we can block.

It sounds like many of the game mechanics are in place - block, stagger, shield bash, etc. The biggest problem is that it would take a good degree of sophistication in AI to pull it off. Oblivion actually had the start of this - parameters that affected fighting style. However, for whatever reason, Bethesda set them all to max aggression so everybody fought the same. I played with the AI to produce different fighting styles in Oblivion, and it was IMHO a big improvement.

Why prefer a two hander? Greater reach. More harm caused.
AI would know to keep distance - take a violent swing and step back if necessary. Block as necessary but really it is about delivering the killing blow. Getting hit with two handers could have a significant stagger effect on your opponent, allowing a successful strike to be followed up with another. AI would have to be aware of this and use their weapon accordingly. The key is to maintain distance and use your weapon's reach.

Why prefer a shield? Much more effective blocking tool.
This style of fighter would like to come to grips with his foe. Use the shield to block and stagger your enemy. If fighting a two hander the AI has to get inside the arc - use the shield to get close and deliver blows. Same tactic if facing a dual wielder - get close, use the shield, and deliver the blow. If fighting another person with shield then toe to toe trying to get the advantage. Strike, shield bash, etc.

Why prefer two smaller weapons? Light duelist style of fighting.
This style depends as much on physical attributes and skill as anything else. Close, strike with one hand or the other, parry as needed, dodge back. Lots of movement.

I think that if you took these basic styles and made the AI aware then you would have something. Even better would be if some AI fought properly while some might fight stupidly. That would really mix things up.

Yeah, I think I seen him parry

While I understand what you are getting at here, have you ever tried using two swords at the same time? Its far from easy. Just managing not to hit yourself takes considerable skill. Being a effective fighter WHILE still parrying and blocking is even more impressive.

Well you right thats my wild assumptions and possible modding ideas so far if devs will really leave dual wielding unfinished, but then why they PR unfinished feature?
Dual wielding was planned for Daggerfall long time ago, but eventually devs found some restriction what they cannot overcome and dual wielding was left unfinished, but we was still able use it in some form since we able equip two different one hand weapons at same time in Daggerfall, in Morrowind such possibility was removed but modders return it in form of offhand blades shields in form of normal weapon, the same was done for Oblivion until modders accumulate enough resources to make actually working dual wielding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uB85jBGN0M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p39ZlWo3V2A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BqKwtkmXmI
Dual wielding was really popular feature what modders always try to implement by self, now it will be in vanilla
I think devs will give enough attention to dual wielding and it will be another combat, since they know thats is popular feature and even use it as part of Skyrim PR, thats will be strange to implement it bad way, especially if they constantly talk about trying concentrate on already announced features, so lets wait for release and see how well they concentrate their work.

Well lets see Skyrim dev team has roughly 100 skilled and experienced members
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Development_Team
Thats almost triple more than Morrowind has
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Development_Team
And more than Oblivion and Fallout 3 have.
While game size almost same in compare to number of assets and space usage.
They have new advanced in compare to Morrowind animation and modeling technologies, and make really big number of new assent for now.
They claim thats development of Skyrim has almost five years.
I think there is enough resources to make spears and throwing weapons especially if they have throwing weapons in Fallout 3 and spears is not something really different than other two handed weapons to be done in technical reason.
Oh well modders by self make such items in short time for example
First working well throwing stars by Guidobot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzOsBAPoWQE
in 2006 after few months after release of Oblivion completely on scripting and without OBSE
When modders accumulate enough resources what devs have from beginning they create really good throwing mechanic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yt_FdTIBeU&t=2m10s
Spears are also possible if first spear mods use just mesh swap with claymore, more advanced start use staff animations and most good right now have own custom animation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS8TI8-opic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QQBqDXuNgk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNNiNoyJ-Ho
Other games have also fully working spears even their devs have less resources then Bethesda have
If devs cannot make some addition unique animations and meshes, there comes question will be all one handed weapons share one animation set again?
Don't understate current devs resources, they actually have more then before and thats really strange when some one say we cant do certain things due priorities or cannot afford some resources on it, if they say such thing then something is wrong or actual development of Skyrim take less then five years and actually starts few years ago, or they didn't have enough visual artists and programmers.
More like devs didn't have enough time because of strict release date.

i will most likely not use dual wielding only because i prefer to play a warrior as my main character and a mage as my second, i usually don't play as a rouge or ranger or whatever the class will be called bottom line is i don't normally play it BUT because i love this game so much i want to play every aspect of this game so i will play as the ranger and when i do play that class which is rare i would like to dual wield two swords because i love the dmg but if there is no block then ill be disinclined to play that class unless there is a parry ability that allows me to counter if timed correctly ill be fine with that but no block what so ever than i simple wont play that class as you said Gandalf The Fabilous.

To me, the key word is practice. And I don't think it's as hard as you say.

I've been a fencer for quite a while and played around with "dual wield".
I wouldn't say not hitting oneself takes considerable skills, just practice.
Usually, during each move you do, you give a "role" to your weapons, defense or offense. That makes things clearer and, after a while, it becomes natural which role is taken by each weapon.
Attacking and blocking at the same time is, once again, a matter of practice : you begin by learning some combinations which you can repeat in a fight. After a while, you adapt what you learned so it will fit your needs.

Imagine dual-wielding shields. Think about it, your arms are strapped in, and you'd be protected very well. Then, you straighten one arm, and now you are ready to cast whatever destruction you wish, then just bend your elbow, and you're back to defense. That'd be awesome. Or even ONE shield + magic would be.

I know that most people are talking about dual wielding two full sized weapons. For myself, I want the traditional sword/dagger combination. In Oblivion I modded in my own Main Gauche as both a dagger and as a shield. Same model but two different instances - one positioned as a weapon and the other positiond to fit in the shield hand. Not ideal, but functional, and it allowed me to stay in character.

What I want is the off hand weapon to be the parry weapon. In fact you could make a table that describes all of the different types of blocking:

Left Right Block
weapon weapon Left
spell weapon Right
None weapon Right
weapon Spell Left
Shield Spell Left
Spell Spell None
Two Handed Both


... you get the idea - it would require a left handed block, right handed block, and two handed block animation. Then a bit of logic to pickthe right one.

double post

Can we use dual shields, and use a block and bash strategy? (bash with the shields) that would be kinda awesome!