I see a number of ways the attack mechanics can be implemented for using dual style. Let me explore a few examples from P&P sources which could be adapted for SWG.
D&D: Dual wielding affects the accuracy of the attack. At lower levels, both weapons suffer major accuracy penalties to the wielder. As the skill is improved over time, these penalties decrease. At a Master level the dominate hand suffers no accuracy penalties, but the off-hand still suffers minimal accuracy penalties.
This interprets well into the SWG game system as accuracy penalties to the dual-wielder specific to each weapon wielded. Accuracy in SWG is used as a calculation for hit results but also as a damage mitigation when compared to the target's defensive stats. More damage is applied to the target if the attacker's accuracy is greater than the target's defenses. This has the effect of balancing the additional damage caused by dual wielding. Therefore, dual-wielders with little skill in dual-wielding may very well do less damage when dual wielding. Only Masters should be able to achieve an advantage by dual-wielding.
Warhammer: Dual wielding bestows the combatant 1 extra attack per round. If the combatant has an attack rating of 3 attacks per round, the extra hand weapon adds 1 more attack for a total of 4 attacks per round.
To interpret this to SWG, the extra weapon would only be able to use the default ranged or melee attack. When the attacker used a special maneuver (Body Shot for example) only the dominate hand weapon would inflict the special shot, while the off hand weapon would continue to use the basic ranged attack. This could be modified such that as a Master, perhaps you could use specials with the off hand weapon.
Anyway, just proposing solutions to balancing the dual wield proposal. It would be important that dual wielding not become more powerful than single weapon or 2hander users. Reducing the damage of all weapons which could be dual wielded may solve that, but would cripple those that used only 1 weapon style. Therefore it may be better to create new weapons which are specifically designed for 2 hand use only. These "pair of pistols" type weapons would essentially be a single item, inseparable and only usable in dual wield style. Likewise, the current range of weapons would continue to be single hand use only as well. This way a complicated if/then situation could be avoided concerning weapons and their style use for determining the damage they do. Also, damage ratings are not the only way to balance the dual wield style. The above penalties to accuracy may very well be enough to maintain fair game play assuming the accuracy penalties were suffiently harsh.
In the end, choosing to use 2 weapons over one should simply be a matter of style, and not a combat advantage, else everyone would become dual wielders.
I see you have constructed your own Mineral Scanner. Impressive. Most impressive. "No Reward is worth THIS" -Han Solo (A New Hope)
Blix Nado - Port Last, Dantooine / Tarquinas
$$ >> Canon
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