I've only tried dual-wielding a couple times, very briefly. I know it is supposed to be incredibly effective, but to me it doesn't feel as ... right as the other combat styles.

Probably it's the lack of blocking. Forget probably. It is definitely the lack of blocking. By denying one of the few tactical options for melee combat, dual-wielding turns melee into just clicking and hoping to inflict more damage faster than the other guy.

Is there any way to... I dunno... bring some tactics into dual-wielding melee? Do any of you find that it's possible to maneuver or ... something?

The idea of dual-wielding seems cool as hell. Especially that menu pic of the Orc with 2 war axes. Makes me want to start up a character like that every time. But then I think of the few experiments I've made with dual-wielding, and it just turns me off.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

That's the problem then. Dual-wielding is for a more aggressive style of play. I dual-wield war axes (skyforge steel). When you dual-wield weapons you aren't thinking as much about defense and blocking as you would with other weapon sets. I would like to have a dual-wield block similar to that which happens for two-handed weapons but since it doesn't exist for dual-wielding you just have to attack and not think about blocking. So, if you aren't set up for some serious melee-in-your-face play style then dual-wielding may not be for you.

I am at level 52 on my thief/smith character and I've played in heavy armor to begin with because I just think it fits my blacksmith character type (he's more smith than thief). So I have slightly over powered armor to account for the fact that I purposefully use under powered weapons. Battles last a lot longer for me this way and I don't feel like god walking around.

If you don't immediately love dual-wielding then I would imagine you won't ever love dual wielding. But the best thing you can do is forget about the need to block. And if you can't block you'll need to come up with some strategies so that you're not just standing around taking a bunch of damage. Stamina potions and leveling has also been important for my character because when you do the left-right left-right dual-wielding type of attack you really get worn out quick so keeping your stamina up is vital to the dual-wielding strategy.

There are some interesting kill-cams that accompany dual wielding so that also might be motivation (if you're into that kind of thing).

So, my best advice is to treat dual wielding just like the Orc you mentioned. That guy doesn't wear a lot of armor and you can bet he doesn't block much. He's a badass and that's how you need to approach dual-wielding.

Something I heard others talk about is the fact that first blow with the first weapon may knock the enemy back, leaving the second weapon to miss completely. Kind of hard to argue that you are doing more damage when that happens all the time.

I did it with one character, using daggers, as an assassin role-play. But it isn't that good IMO. Role-playing can make if fun though.

Thanks for the advice.

Do you mostly rely on the double power attack? Or do you occasionally find it necessary/useful to swing one weapon at a time? Seems like the main strategy is to just keep power attacking with both weapons at the same time.

Glad you mentioned the armor. I'm tempted to go with heavy, since I'd be sacrificing defense by dualwielding to begin with. Is light armor really viable?

Also, double axes seem cool, so has anyone tried the bleed perks with war axes? I'd guess a berserked Orc wielding 2 war axes doing bleed damage on top of whatever other enchantments would be pretty effective.

This. Or you could handle it like my current character. I train in one-handed, but I only use dual wielding when I need to deal some serious damage quickly, and when blocking doesn't seem necessary. For instance, when fighting a dragon I'll primarily use my bow, but when running in for the kill I'm going to dual wield.

However, if you want to primarily dual wield, do what Blacksmith advised and create a character built to withstand damage and deal it quickly.

Pfft. Who needs blocking when you have Su Grah Dun (full Elemental Fury shout) + Dual Flurry(x2) + Dual Savagery?

I do this too. My Nord is a One-Handed/Two-Handed hybrid, he usually uses one sword with a healing spell, but when he needs to dish out a lot of damage he'll dual wield. Although I don't take two Dual-Flurry perks, I feel that gets too OP. I'm going to be doing the same with my upcoming Redguard Sword n' Board.

Dual wielding is good for emergencies. If you get the quicker DW attack perk, then you can take down tougher mobs pretty quick.

My dual wielding playstyle is heavy armor and two swords.
And i don't lose that much health even when i can't block. It is because heavy armor gives quite alot of protection.
But you are a bit slower though.

Power attacks and generally pressing both attack buttons at the same time will allow you to reach quite insane DPS.

My main character who is Nord is dual wield. It works well as I have soul trap on my off weapon which instantly charges soul gems. When you fully perk up anchantment you can however have two enchantments on one weapon. I've got fire and frost on one and I forget the other but I know it has soul trap.

I have a another character who a Redguard and is one-handed with block. This combo is great and I find a shield with a heavier weapon like as axe is effective. A shield is also a weapon and will also cause some damage as you level up in block. Its easy to level up as you can just stand there blocking attacks.

I think it comes down to how you want to see your character. I kinda wish I'd made my Nord with one-handed and block and just had my Khajiit swordsman / thief with dual. Too late now.

I too have some issues with dual-wielding.

If I'm being intellectually honest then I'd say it's not all that great, the lack of blocking really bothers me too, especially since you can clearly block with just a sword if you have an empty left hand. Still, when I played an assassin type I dual-wielded swords and kind of got a 'cadence' to my sighting style. Basically I was always moving back and forth, trying to be mobile and dodge attacks through footwork. I also frequently stepped closer to do a quick, one-handed attack just to make my enemy raise his shield and keep him on the defensive. I would also do a one-handed power attack to stagger an opponent, and then hold in both mouse buttons to do a dual-wielded chain-power attack now that my opponent had been 'stunned'.

So yeah, it's possible to make it work and it can even be a little bit fun. But the lack of blocking really does bother me as well. I would be interested in trying out what someone else said earlier, being a primarily sword and shield user but then switching to a second sword if more damage and less defense was required.

Hack and slash and dual flurry are important (IMO) for dual-wielding one-handed weapons. It can kinda svck dual-wielding without these two perks.

Also, a note about strategy. A lot of people think you can just come in swinging and handle battles that way. Two things about that.. 1.) I don't find it very interesting (that's just button mashing mania). and 2.) as someone above mentioned, there is a chance of knocking back your enemies (which does happen a lot as you power up).

So, you need to actually attack slower and more purposefully. Swing the right hand and if the enemy is not knocked back swing the left hand. That kind of thing. I am always ready to take a step closer to my opponents just because they are always getting knocked back.

yh. I agree with this.

I found it much easier with the one-handed and block on lower levels. I found the same ruins so much easier being able to block against an enemy where I found a couple of times I got spanked when attacked by multiple enemies (I think its right to try and dodge but when surrounded it is harder). When you get higher up and your armor stats are high enough not to have to worry, there is the bonus of having double the weapon enchantments in a fight. Not sure what enchantments go on a shield and whether they work from a shield bash.

I <3 DW.

It svcks cause this character (Nord in my pic) is supposed to be Sword+Board. Now I keep finding myself either using a Restoration spell in my L Hand, or a Dagger/Sword to go with my other Sword.

Oh and Elemental Fury is your absolute friend, same for the perks in 1H. Once I was messing around on a w/e character and got the perks and EFury to try the Pickaxe Trick and MANNN do you swing those things FAST. I'm sure they have an ATK speed faster then even the Daggers.

I myself like Sword+Dagger if not 2 Swords. If I really need it I might grab an Axe or two for more DMG output. EFury does Axes justice by basically making the ATK Speed that of a Sword.

I also used to use elemental fury early on as my favourite shout (to assist my dual weapon). However, for some reason when I first started using enchanted weapons, I had this shout selected and now every time I try to use it, the game tries to charge my weapon from a soul gem instead. Obviously a bug in the game... I get round it. I still think the game is the best ever rpg created even with bugs

I remember one time with my sword + board heavy armor warrior when I was at lower levels I just attacked by two bandit chiefs and a bandit in the wilderness. All decked out in heavy armor with steel weapons. I kind of ran the three of them back and forth, striking in, dodging out, and actually blocking very little.

I imagine if I had light armor and dual weapons, one could actually pull off a stick & move fightstyle. You could go pure dual wield, or even switch your left hand with a spell (for heals or destruction once you gain the distance).

A nord, argonian, redguard, or orc would work well wih this playstyle I think.

Yes, but that's also what kills it.
It's just 'click and watch massacre happen' tactic.
It would be much better if holding both arm keys results in block.
To balance it out, dual-wielding block would only benefit from Shield Wall and Quick Reflexes perks, Block skills (derp) and would not ability to bash.
I think that it would result in making the combat much more interesting.

I personally like duel weilding but I prefere to use 2H deadric GS. But.... If you want to go for raw power just think of this... Duel weilding 2 deadric weapons with 100 one handed weapon skill and then having those 2 weapons upgraded and with enchantments on them. Yeah they are pretty overpowered.

Check out this video on 1H and Dual-Wielding, its got great info, might help you come to a decision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJEdi2WzkLc&list=UUkWetRW89zJ95MOQQBgT4MQ&index=12&feature=plcp

This guy has a bunch of great video guides about a ton of different stuff in Skyrim.

I prefer Shield and Sword due to blocking and that has saved me countless of times against Steam Centurions, Bandit Chiefs, Falmer, etc.

If you are on a PC there is a very good block while dual wielding mod. It has many different control options. I use the one that keeps the dual wield power attacks, blocks with RMB and does a normal strike with LMB. The normal strike is either the left or right handed weapon. Other configurations are available in the mod. IMHO it is not in the least OP.

Yeah with good block & 1hand a steam centurion is a breeze with shield bash. They are so slow you just walk circles in them slashing away and if you end up facing them, shield block and keep going.

My first character went with dual wielding and light armor. He put a lot of points into light armor and he put a couple of points into smithing so he could smith a good pair or elven daggers or elven swords and elven/scale armor. If you move fast, you don't need to block because you can time your attacks and dodge in and out of your enemies range, especially when fighting enemies wielding slow two-handed weapons. On the other hand, if you are a little too slow and get hit by a two handed power attack, you can get killed in one hit with light armor and no blocking. I mix it up between rapid alternating swings and dual swings and only dual power attack when I think I can get away with it without being hit. Dual wielding is the best when you are either sneaking or out in the open where you can move. In a narrow corridor, sword and board is a better strategy.

i like dual welding...btw gamesas should read some R.A. Salvatore books: drizzt do'urden can block with his 2 scimitars
btw as i already said i like dual welding...but in my inventory there is always place for a shield...just in case lol