@OP i think instead of dual-weild itll be hand-to-hand. (unless its been confirmed to be out... havnt been on here in about a month)

reason for not dual-weildin is simply cause we kno that the perks for single handed hav to do with certain weapon types so we can assume the same for 2-handed. so dual-weildin would seem redundant.

I'm with you brother...i'm with you :thumbsup:
Also hand to hand combined with stealth,and dragon shouts would be incredibly entertaining.
Long live hand to hand

I suspect that's the case. As I'm still not convinced hand to hand isn't in, and dual wielding as a skill has the problems you mentioned. And I don't see why dual wielding couldn't be handled as a perk for one handed weapons, seeing as the only weapons you can dual wield are one handed weapons anyway. Equiping different spells in each hand or a spell in one hand and a weapon in the other doesn't count, as that really wouldn't be the same as holding two weapons at all, and I see no reason to penalize it. Sacrificing what other things you could hold in that hand seems enough of a tradeoff to me.

This is, of course, assuming the game doesn't just assume all characters are ambidexterous, with each hand being equally effective, and only your skill in the appropriate weapon modifying your effectiveness with it, thus rendering the entire issue meaningless.

I highly doubt it will be DW, cause then you level two Skills for each swing. (OneHanded and DW)

This results in you leveling up faster than someone who is using a 2H weapon. (TwoHanded only)

I don′t see how those couldn′t just be more perks in each weapon category, I simply don′t see what′s the use of making duel-wielding into a skill when at the end of the day it′s just wielding two 1 handed weapons, why not just settle for the perks of the 1 hand skill.

Well there could be some specific bonuses for dual wield. Standard type perks for DW are :
- Reduced penalty on offhand weapon (the offhand weapon gets highly reduced damage if it isn't much lighter than the main weapon)
- Complete removal of penalty on offhand weapon
- Chance to strike for free with offhand weapon when you attack with main hand, can be taken up to the point where all attacks are with both weapons at once

Then you can imagine special attacks that require two weapons equipped.

I hope hand to hand is the skill, and I hope its more than just punching this time. I want to round house kick some face.

I don′t see how that can′t be slated with just bluntly saying "your character is ambidextrous and have trained with it since childhood" voala all need to "advance" it is gone. not every game mechanic need to be made deep and complicated


your character can dual-wield, no more no less.

Actually, it doesn't sounds logacal. It seems to be an aspect of one handed weapons. Do remember that because we don't have classes that specialize in combat, magic or stealth, there won't be any need to put the skills into categories. There are simply 18 skills. You can group them however you want, but there is no need for that to be done.

If Hand-to-Hand is in, I see it being generalised to an Unarmed skill, which is a combined offensive + defensive skill.

Here are three possible perk trees:

1. A perk tree for direct damage dealing moves.
2. A perk tree for dodging an enemy's swings.
3. A perk tree for disarming an enemy.

Don't 'no' why I didn't think of it, I had it down as warrior: heavy armour and thief: light armour, but a single armour skill and duel weild may make more sence?!

Warrior:
One handed
Two handed
Block
Armorer
Athletics(merged acrobatics)
Smithing

Mage:
Destruction
Conjuration
Alteration(merged mysticism)
Illusion(merged mysticism)
Restoration
Enchanting

Thief:
Duel wield
Marksman
Hand to hand
Sneak(merged sercurity)
Speech craft(merged barter)
Alchemy

I believe the Hand to Hand skill would be a more logical choice as it offers more revenue for perks. Dual wield would be rather limited in what one can do with it as it's just a certain style of combat with weapons that are already in their own separate designated skills.

In short, I see dual wield no different than using any other combination of weapon/shield/spell as you are simply using 2 one handed weapons at the same time. It's a combat style, not a combat skill in my opinion. Hand to Hand (or Martial Arts) however has a very diverse selection available to warrant its own skill slot in the Combat subsection.


Just my septims on the matter

Milt

I don't think a dual-wield skill is necessary. A high acrobatics skill could offset any penalties for dual-wielding. It's more important to be skilled in the weapons you are wielding.

I've had training in dual weapon combat. When I first learned how to dual wield, it took me very little time to pick it up. Although there is something to be said for a dual-wield skill, it's really more of a function of balance and timing. The real skill kicks in with which weapons you are using. If you hand me a pair of long-swords, or long-sword / short-sword I'd be fine. But a war axe or mace is more awkward for me because of the difference in the weight balance and aerodynamics. But having that type of weapon in one hand doesn't interfere with my ability with my sword. At least not significantly if I recall correctly - I don't really do swordplay anymore.

or it could be one handed, two handed (which involves having a combat weapon in both hands, whether thats the same weapon or two weapons.) block, heavy armor, light armor, smithing.

while it makes sense, i don't see them adding skills that would level up by doing essentially the same the thing. say your using duel-wielded axes, you would be leveling up both one-handed weapons and duel-wield at the same time.
i think it would make more sense to have a perk tree that increases your effectiveness while duel-wielding

Considering that it is not just weapons that can be held in the off hand but shields, magic, torches and maybe staves (in one of the GI pics it looks like a character is holding a staff in his off hand) I am not so sure.

Id say the most likely answer is the 5th and 6th conbat skills are totaly new skills or at least one of them is and they wont show it until they can SHOW it in action.

Also from what was said in that mag lately id say stealth still has 2 conversationalist skills mercantile and speechcraft. And that with traps being alot more important now security is still its own skill.

I would be very suprised if Two-Handed and Dual-Wield are different skills.
I think that they are to simmilar and Beth would simply have merged them into one skill.
We shall have to wait a bit and see

Some of the news on daggers has me fired up to give them a go. But I've been wondering, if I dual weild daggers, would that be considered one handed, two handed or would there be a dual wield skill? Further, since we know the Stealth tree will have daggers inclusive in it, would Stealth cover all of daggers, or would there be two different trees to level up? I think dual wield is possible, but arent' I still holing a one handed weapon in each hand? To Militades point, I think it's more a style than a skill. There are weapon classes that would include single, double and marksman. I don't see dual wielding as the same thing. So, while the OP had a great idea, I'm in the camp that thinks it's not going to happen.

Hand to hand opens up another can of worms. Is it single handed weapon or two handed weapon? You only use one hand at a time in combat, but you will use both hands thruought the combat....not sure on this one. I'd have to lean towards two handed, since one handed is probably pretty well saturated and beth would need to try and even them out.

Reading this discussion, I think we should take out all labels and introduce sharing. Let's combine one handed, two handed and dual wielding to "Wielding" skill(or something better.) Sub-groups are better anyway. No need to group skills under Stealth, instead have that specialization through perks so all skills can contribute to stealth one way or another. It may require some thinking to come up with a working list but that kind of shared grouping and subgrouping sounds better than 30 skills to scroll down(or left-right). I admit I kind of like this direction. I've really never understood light-medium-heavy armor anyway as skills let alone the separation.

1hand
2hand
dual
polearm
smithing
defense

Polearms will more likely fall under 2hand, but, who knows?

This.

The entire equipment system (and spell system) is built around using two hands. Having a skill for it doesn't make sense when EVERY character is supposed to use it in some form.

If polearms are in,they won't be seperate,it will be two-handed....no doubt.
I just looked at oblivion skills,and guessed from there what i thought the skyrim one's would be.

I don't think that dual weilding is neccissary as a skill. A perk tree perhaps! My thought is that the other skill is projectiles (sprears, throwing knives, etc).