I'm working on a new character and for the first time I'm forgoing a shield in my off hand. I'm focusing on stealth and dual wielding daggers but I'm wondering what the off hand is really getting me.

I mean, my main hand weapon is better by a wide margin so if I'm spamming attacks in a straight up fight I'm better off just using that. A lot of times I stealth behind for a kill and if I use just my main hand weapon I get a lot of cool throat slits, but when using both weapons it's usually just a straight up atack (much noiser and often doesn't insta kill).

I sometimes power attack with both weapons but it doesn't seam to really do much more damage and has a long animation.

what am I missing about dual wielding?

More damage, fast attacks, cool dual combo animation. Considering your a backstabbing sneak, you're going to get crazy crit multipliers with just one dagger, much less two. But that's what you get, and it is a fun build, as I have one.

Can you explain to me where the more damage comes from? Is it only if I'm attacking with both weapons simultaneously (can I even do that if it's not a power attack)?

2 weapons instead of 1...



Sorry couldn't resist

This is what you need. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJEdi2WzkLc&feature=channel&list=UL

Yes, the little dual combo thing.

The hardest part of dualwielding is to keep the game challenging. - pms00.

Very true, that.

Perfect! much obliged.

Pretty good guide, I don't agree with what he said about sword/board but nonetheless a great breakdown of dual-wield.

your better off just swinging your right hand with the dual furry perk. dont even bother with your off hand.

you just need an offhand for powerattacks and the dual furry perk. i use a dagger for my off hand

You are quite welcome.

All of his videos are quite informative and I would suggest you browse them all.

EDIT :
You mean this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOKgNkufZAI&feature=relmfu

the dual attack is broken though, its sticks in you place and you cant move after it happens. so you attack way slower

Yeah, I started watching a few more already

Ah! You must mean the comment made at 15:52 - "Sword and Board is great for defense but you are better off dishing out more damage than trying to survive long."

What's wrong with that? I agree that it's always better to kill and enemy as fast as possible. If they hit hard you need them to die as it means less damage done to you.

How so?

Forgive me, but I don't understand what you typed there?

Because you're not always at melee range with an opponant. You often have to withstand a barrage at range (dragon breath, arrows, spells etc) before you get to land your killing blows. It also helps against two handed weapon foes that can often drop you in one or two blows. Being able to put up a shield and remain in melee range to return the blow is extremely useful

I don't know if this was mentioned in that video, because I didn't watch it, but you can make dual wielding attacks much faster than swinging one weapon if you take the perks that increase dual wielding attack speed. So that would be another way to do more damage instead of swinging both weapons simultaneously.

WEll that is if you just charge into battle, willy-nilly. One must use the environment as well. You can easily take cover form most situations that deal with ranged attackers. You have to be smart and close the gap of open areas fast. Besides. One is not fighting naked. You do have armor and enchantments.

EDIT : And 2H enemies can be dodged when you attack in a constant circular motion around them. Once he is committed to doing a power attack you are already at his back to deal a power attack of your own.