I don't dispute that dual-wielding can result in higher DPS than 2-handers (not that I've done the research myself), but the "feel" of dual-wielding to me is pretty repetitive. Not the look, mind you - the feel. For best results, dual-wielding seems to depend upon dual power attacks, which requires you to stand in place. 2-handers need PAs too, but can achieve them in different circumstances (e.g., moving forward), giving more mobility.

The fact that you can block with a 2-hander also opens up Quick Reflexes, which really lets you feel like an agile swordsman - when the enemy winds up & time slows down, you can dodge around behind him and hit hard with a PA of your own.

So yeah, you can grind out more hp from your enemy with dual-wielding, but there seems to be a better rhythm to combat with 2-handers in my experience.

Also in my experience, I haven't noticed an appreciable difference in speed between attacking one at a time while dual wielding and swinging a single 1-handed sword. I haven't explored dual-wielding a lot, though, so I could be missing this aspect.

With dual-wielding do you press both mouse buttons simultaneously for the special power attack. Your character then does a series of swings that do quit a lot of damage and it will not get interrupted. At least I never was. It is just an animation that runs once it is triggered and with enchanted weapons does it kill most things in one attack. Nothing impressive however. I have played the combat system in The Witcher I/II, and I would choose it any time over any other.

If you like combat, two-handed with the block perk which slows time is good way to go. You can have fun dodging, blocking and baiting, actual combat beyond what other styles have to offer.

If you just want to brutally destroy all that stands before you, dual wield can allow you to kill most enemies with a single dual power attack. You can chain power attacks using absorb stamina enchantments. But you better have high health and maxed armor rating (>567).

I've not played with DW much, but I didn't think your normal attacks interrupted enemies? Or do you mean, you need to keep spamming the power attack? In any case, this can't be good against multiple enemies. With 2H, you can at least utilise block to attack your opponent at the right time. This is especially effective when you have the Quick Reflexes perk (slows time) and Power Bash (staggers enemy).


Surely your using some type of exploit here? 2-3 power attacks to take down an ancient on master?

2hand...

It will become apparent why when you get the slow time block perk when enemies power attack (and you're in guard stance)

Being able to interupt enemies power attacking you with a quick bash that then leaves them open to your counter power attack is what 2handing is all about.

Dual-Wielding is cool.... but extremely repetitive IMO.... 2hand power attacks vary with LS movements while performing the power attack. dual-wield only has 1 power attack and you'll do it over and over and over and over and over and......

Why bash when you can slip around 'em and power attack 'em yourself? The bash just drains precious stamina.

I do use bash for the stagger, but not while time is slowed.

But yeah, totally agreed about the fun factor of 2-handers.

I rock the two-handed style, I like going aggro on unsuspecting wildlife.

No exploit. I just got all perks in one-handed combat and have smithing and alchemy at 100, enchanting somewhere at 95. I use fortifications on armor to get the damage on each of the weapons to 350, plus another 40 from the enchantments themselves. I could even drink a potion before a fight to push this higher, and then use the shout Elemental Fury for extra speed, but it is pointless, because all it says is that it is easy to over-power oneself.

That is why I say to choose two-handed weapons for the more powerful feel. I assume that one can over-power with them, too.

Oh okay, I thought you must be heavily enchanted or something. All good.

Well, I am . I use '28% alchemy gear' to create smithing and enchanting potions, then use the potions together with '28% smithing gear' to improve the weapons and to enchant them, and then I wear a ring, a necklace and gloves enchanted with fortify one-handed in fights.

But I do not use the trick/glitch with the restoration potions and go exponential.

I just use Shadow Warrior and a couple of well smithed elven daggers.

Two-handed doesn't feel powerful to me at all, just cumbersome and slow ( I do not want slow motion, so I ignore that perk ). Dual wielding was / is too insane. One flurry to take down a draugr deathlord, two for a regular dragon.

This is the way I see it as well. DPS will always out shine blocking. Be that with a shield or a 2H weapon. Why block when you can dealing damage? Kill it and kill it fast. I have always been fond of DW. You do get extra enchanting slots, but unenchanted and using the Elemental Furry shout turns a speed perked DW swordsman into a freaking food processor. It does MASSIVE damage in a split second. BAM! Instant dragon salsa. mmmmm...

Geez, you guys sound just like my wife. Seriously. She has a 2H Nord with a BIG hammer. She never blocks. I try to tell her about the stagger benefit of block and the Quick Reflexes perk, and she just says why worry about all that stuff when you can just smash things quickly with your big hammer.

If you want mince meat, go for DW grinder, if you want the ability block, then go two handed.

Dual Wielding with two swords, or a sword(mainhand) and dagger for even faster MH strikes(offhand) and then Steed Stone.

Swords because they are faster & the crit perk makes them capable of INSTA DEATH and being redicilously overpowered.


You will be moving quickly, capable of dodging nearly every blow from the enemy, and you can easily choose between rapid, agile attacks or heavy, stationary attacks once you've stunned/pushed your foe into a corner.


You will also have a far greater chance vs frost Mages due to the 1handed sprint charge stunning them and leaving them to be instagibbed by the follower dual power attack.


The problem with 2h handers is that they are slow and you cannot strike & move at the same time, nor can you dodge attacks. Parrying doesn't work much better because the damage it absorbs is nearly non existant, and is more liable to kill you vs stronger mobs where the only thing you can do is avoid their blows outright.

The only good thing about 2handed is that it's cool.

Leave dual wielding for your next guy. It's a great skill for thiefs/assassins hand in hand with archery. You should try both shield and two handed with a warrior.

He doesn't have to be. My spellsword (1 sword right hand) can kill an ancient dragon in 2 power attacks. Vamp smithing and arcane smith only. Also I can paralyze everything in the room on the fly.

You can cut those same heads off with one handed weapons as well. Exact same perk, just as easy to get. Plus there's a better variety of higher quality kill animations.
Don't get me wrong, I like two handed as well, just pointing out the facts.

My personal impression (could well be wrong) is that you make better use of power attacks with a tow hander. You pretty much get a fixed number of power attacks (based on stamina) and if each one does more damage, that's a good thing, right?