Page 1 of 1

Duel wielding question

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2002 8:22 pm
by Ra'del
Have 2 duelwielding chars, but both have heavy armor, I dont really understand the penalties, or bonuses for that matter. They both have ambidex and duel feats, they both also have level 3 armor (I think) Does heavy armor ruin the duel wield? Also, wtf is the best armor for wizards, sorceror and cleric, I have them all in studded leather. I just got a bunch of +4 bracers, but they dont change any of there ac numbers. I am in chap 5 trying to beat the guardian (killed everything else) not sure of my levels.
Any help is appreciated thanks.

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2002 11:19 pm
by Skooter327
What classes are your characters?
As far as I know, the only case in which heavy armor penalizes dual-wielding is with rangers, who get the ambidexterity & dual-wielding feats for free. If rangers wear light armor, they "have" the feats (so don't spend feat points on them); if a ranger wears heavy armor, he "doesn't have the feats. Any character with feat points spent on ambidexterity & dual-wielding is not peanalized by armor, however there are other penalties (i.e. weapons: size, proficiency, etc.).

My two cents:
2-Handed weapons work better than dual-wielding in IwDII. Of course, you know what they say about opinions... ;)

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2002 11:59 pm
by Skooter327
As for wizards', sorcerers', & clerics' armor, only arcane spellcasters (wizards, sorcerers, & bards) need worry about armor choice, for they have an arcane spell failure value (in %), listed on each armor's description page. There are feats that can reduce this value, but bracers & cloaks are indeed your best bet for arcane spellcasters. Also, bracers & cloaks allow full dexterity armor bonusses. When equipping armor bonus bracers, I've found it works best to unequip any armor and ring/amulet/cloak of protection +x, then equip the bracers, then reequip the protection items. This way its easy to see how each item affects your armor class.

Divine spellcasters (clerics, druids, paladins, rangers) needn't worry about what armor to use, as it has no effect on thier spells. Just go for the highst AC you can get. Also, any inate spells (listed under the special abilities button) are also unaffected by armor.

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2002 8:42 am
by Chanak
The Armored Arcana feat, selected 3 times (representing a -5% to arcane spell failure each time it is selected, to a max of -15%), can permit an arcane spell user to wear light armor with no worries. Unless you're dual-classing with a feat-heavy class (a fighter), I would not bother with selecting this feat. In fact, I also wouldn't bother with any arcane user wearing armor at all...put those feat points to better use. :)

A deadly combo is a monk/sorceror...there is a winner. :D

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2002 9:31 pm
by aberrant80
yeah, since u have bracers and, i'm sure, robes, wat do u need armor for ur mages for? pointless. they won't be in the frontlines anyway... unless they r in your case....

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 1:18 pm
by Dazzo
the topic was about dual wielding feats.. not spell penalties..

Right?



EDIT: hmmmmmmm nm forgive me :/