two-weapon fighting

[Aries Bachen]

My plan to deal with two-weapon fighting was to impose a -1D penalty for using one weapon while holding another. That's -1D to the weapon skill rolls only. It is not an additional action. Multi-action penalties still apply though.
I'd like to hear anyone elses ideas on this issue.

[Esoomian]

So that is you get to strike with both weapons at the same target at the same time with one diceroll?

IE I'm holding a vibroshiv and a branch I roll my weapon skill once at -1D and then see if I hit with my weapons (Say vibroshiv is difficulty 10 and branch difficulty 5). I roll a 6 total so I hit with the branch but not the vibroshiv?

Can the same be applied to someone who wants to say stab someone with a sword punch them with his free hand at the same time?
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[cheshire]

I've done it in a number of different ways. I'm assuming that you're doing a melee weapon, as opposed to blasters. Some of the methods are really flawed, others seem to do alright. Honestly, I don't see a point in penalizing a person for only using one weapon. I've done a lot of historical fencing when I'm using two rapiers or fighting florentine (using a rapier and dagger). I can't think of why I would be worse at using one weapon just because I'm not holding the other one. I just shift fighting stances and styles. Though, perhaps I misunderstood you.

Here's a breakdown of the methods I've seen with a brief overview and a critique.

Two-Weapon Advanced skill route
In this model a character must train to use their two weapons as an advanced skill, doubling character point cost. This allows them an extra +1D to defense or to attack while using two weapons, normal multiple action penalties (MAPs) apply. Alternatively, some have just allowed a character to make an extra free melee weapons or melee parry roll that round. I.E., you can make two rolls with no penalty, two rolls at a -1D penalty, three rolls at a -2D penalty. Regardless, whether you add a bonus, or allow a free action it winds up being the same when the dice start rolling.

critique:
This is really heavy on the point cost while not providing a whole lot of benefit.

Straight bonus route
In this model you assign a +2 for any melee parry or melee weapons rolls while holding two weapons, or one double sided weapon. MAPs apply. (Some have gone as high as +6.)

critique:
This is a pretty straight-forward way of dealing with two weapons. It's simple, and not unbalanced (unless you get as high as a +6 bonus). However, it doesn't really allow room for growth. IRL, you can train with melee weapons, but it doesn't really teach you how to fight with two at once. There isn't a built in mechanic for improving your two-weapon fighting ability.

Special abilities route
In this model, it requires the character to purchase the ability to fight with two weapons. They receive a special ability (not unlike purchasing a d20 feat). With Two-Weapon fighting I, they can parry with a bonus of +2 to +1D. They spend 10-15 for the privilage. MAPs apply.

With Two-Weapon fighting II, they gain the ability to attack with a +2 to +1D bonus. They pay 15-20 cps for the privilate. MAPs still apply. They can take the special abilities for a cumulative effect as often as they like.

critique:
This gets into a system of feats not unlike d20. Where this is not necessarily a bad thing, it does require you to keep separate tabs on developing another set of bonuses and penalties which is contrary to the simplistic style of the D6 game. Also, the GM will have to be careful to keep the cost of the stacking feats balanced with bonuses it grants. You obviously shouldn't have the players taking the same attack feat 20 times, while still only having a 15 cp cost.

[DoubtBreak]

I went for the simplest ruling I could come up with:

Attacks with two weapons, whether melee or ranged, give a +1D bonus to the attack skill roll, and a +1D bonus to damage when an attack roll is at least 5 points above the required difficulty. When parrying with two weapons, the Melee Parry skill roll receives a +1D bonus. If the paired weapons have different bonuses or different die ratings for damage, the lower die ratings and smaller bonuses are used for double-weapon attacks and parries.

In addition, I also use a set of size categories for weapons (Sm/Med/Lg) to determine whether a weapon (melee or ranged) receives a penalty for being wielded in 1 hand (no penalty for Small, -5 for Medium, -10 for Large). For example, wielding two knives or two pistols can be advantageous, but if you've got carbines or vibroswords, it's a bit less so. I also use a system vaguely resembling D20 feats to account for special training to avoid size penalties for some weapons; a paired-sword (or paired-lightsaber) fighting system can be fairly deadly, but only if you know what you're doing.

[Matthias777]

I disagree that using two pistols is advantageous. I don't know about you guys, but I can't aim for crap with one hand, even if it is my right hand (I'm right-handed). One-handing a handgun with my left hand? Forget about it. Proper grip dictates two hands; using one just makes it harder.
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Arek | Kage

[vong]

Im going to say I dont like it either. It has merit, and i can see where you are coming from (more shots = more chance to do damage) but I dont think the bonuses are merited.
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[Ankhanu]

Two weapon fighting gets its bonus in that you can potentially hit twice, thus inflicting more damage. There should be penalties to using two weapons, not bonuses, as it requires FAR more effort and coordination to wield two than to wield one.
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[Matthias777]

Here's what I do. It's realistic, and it means that you have to have a pretty high skill level to pull off "Wyatt Earping" it in a firefight. -1D for using only one hand (for handguns and large or heavy melee weapons, etc.; this applies to both weapons' attack), -1D for using your off-hand (for that weapon's attack only), and you suffer any MAPs as normal. The benefit is that you get two attacks in one turn. You need a skill of 6D+ for it to be viable, higher preferred.
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Arek | Kage

[Ankhanu]

That's sensible.
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[Matthias777]

Yeah, it means that the average PC isn't going to be able to pull it off until they've spent some CPs, but a combat-oriented character really can pull it off at character creation. Most of the players that would want their character to dual-wield are making a PC with 4D in Dexterity, the maximum 2D of starting skill dice in, say, the Blaster skill, and the specialization of their choice. That's a completely new PC with 7D in Blaster: heavy blaster pistol, or something similar.

What do you think about allowing players to spend 1D of starting skill dice to get ambidexterity? Treat it like a Special Ability, and it negates off-hand penalties.
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Arek | Kage

[DoubtBreak]

[vong]

[Ankhanu]

[Matthias777]

[DoubtBreak]