So I just started playing. I notice when you equip 2 1-handers the attack damage is L-hand + R-hand exactly with no penalties.
So lets say 10 + 10 = 20 attack damage.

However the swinging animation upon a single attack shows me that only one blade is actually being swung.
So is this one blade doing 10? or 20?

that's probably the dmg for the power attack. I dunno.

i think its because you can swing your swords much faster than if you only had 1 sword so you can deal out more damage than if you only had 1

10, and you will do another 10 when you swing your offhand for a combined total of 20
Left trigger will swing your left hand, right trigger will swing your right hand, hold down both you you do a frontal cleaving power attack where you swing both weapons.

So basically what I hear is, it's pointless & useless unless you're continually spamming power attacks.

in that case pfft, gimme a GreatSword anyday! Good thing I figured this out and already walk the 2 handed path.
Everything's just getting mowed the F down. Not even level-scaled dragons stand a chance. -_-

Ok heres how it goes guys.

You have 2 weapons, that do seperate damage, and they both swing with power attacks. (Keep in mind that your block button is now your left hand swing button!, and if you press both at the same time, you get an enormous combo from both weapons)

Heres what you guys SHOULD have figured out during the game...

If you time your regular attack correctly, you can get nice damage output from both weapons.

You have to swing one first, then swing the other second, meaning you have to time your left and right swings very well to get the nice damage.

Click left swing, then right swing after (whatever your buttons are set to, usually Attack Button is right, and Block button is left attack)

If you guys look in the 1 handed perk tree there is Speed buffs, bleed damage, crit strikes, and damage increases.

I dont want to spoil anything, but there is also a shout that increases your attack speed by like 70% i believe. Or around there. Trust me, its ridiculous. So don't put the Dual wielding out of mind!!!

Takes a skilled player to control the Dual Wielding skill