Dual Wielding



Dual wielding refers to having two one-handed weapons or two spells equipped, one in each hand. Any one-handed weapon among daggers, swords, war axes, maces, and even staves may be dual wielded.

Effects
Dual wielding allows one to use two one-handed weapons or two spells at the same time. In the case of weapons, the player may attack with both weapons by pressing both the right and left weapon triggers at the same time, executing a slash with both weapons. The overall damage will be the combined values of both weapons. The speed of the attack is dictated by the speed of the weapon equipped in the left hand. Because of this, it is most advantageous to place the faster weapon being used in the left hand. For example, if the player equips a dagger in the left hand and a mace in the right hand, the attack speed will overall be at the dagger's speed.

A spinning power attack with both weapons can be preformed by pressing and holding both the right and left weapon triggers. The usual mechanics apply, with the left hand weapon dictating the speed. The amount of stamina used is derived from the right hand weapon.

Dual wielding destruction spells follows the usual rules regarding a spell equipped in just one hand. The overall damage and magicka cost is equal to both spells' relevant values. This will vary however, if dualcasting the same spell with the relevant perk. Dualcasting destruction spells raises the spell's damage by 10% and its cost by 40%. Other schools of magic can be dual cast as well, and if the dual casting perk for the respective school is attained, the casted spell's effects will be overall strengthed in some way.

NPCs can dual wield, but the conditions in which they will are very particular. NPCs classified as Rangers, such as Jenassa, will dual wield two weapons when in melee range of an enemy. Most other NPCs will only equip certain weapons in their left hand, specifically a pickaxe or a Forsworn weapon.

Bugs

 * Different one-handed weapons cannot be keybinded on PC. While the player can assign a key to the right hand's weapon, they are unable to do so for the left hand where one may only assign a key to spells or shields. There is a workaround for this by connecting a Xbox 360 controller and then assingning spells/weapons with the left and right triggers.


 * The Dual Flurry perk may cause a glitch which causes attacks to go at a slow speed. This can be fixed by removing one or both ranks of the perk. It is unknown if the perk can be safely added again after it is removed.


 * The Dual Flurry perk does not apply to the chain attacks triggered by clicking both mouse buttons at the same time.


 * Occasionally with enchanted weapons, a weapon in the left hand will not impart its effect on strike nor will it lose any charge. Instead, it may impart the enchantment of the weapon in the right hand. The issue can usually be resolved when the player fast travels or transitions to another area.


 * Sometimes when dual wielding identical weapons and using the Elemental Fury Shout, even after the effect has worn off, your right hand weapon will still be swinging at enhanced speed.