I was thinking about improving dual wield by providing a parry and riposte bonus if you are dual wielding any weapon (or using monk fists). Kind of makes sense to me because it would be easier to use weapons like a weak shield. I was thinking about passively buffing parry and riposte by about 5% each while dual wielding.

Keep in mind I'm also planning to add a separate block rate to all shields. So 2H would be like a pure dps setup, sword and board would be pure defensive, and dual wielding would be like a compromise.

Thoughts?

I think this is a good start. Right now, I think the only good dual wield setup is for monks, right? I was excited to try out dual wield ranger (because blender), but was disappointed when I saw that 2h is way better for them too. Some sort of dual wield/double attack/flurry bonus for going dual wield might shore up the dps and be more useful.

Far as I'm aware, monks use dual wield on a technicality, that their fists count as dual wield. They don't use 2 *weapons* to dual wield. Fist/off hand weapon is the setup. I believe rogues use dual wield though.

Dual wielding is impractical IRL. I say we remove it from the game for the sake of better immersion.

Either that or increased attack speed / skill haste

What's the goal? To make more classes dual wield or to buff current dual wielding classes?

Right now it's only practical for monks, rogues, and bards to dual wield. Are monks, rogues, and bards needing a defensive buff?

With regards to parry and riposte, I know the ranger has a few talents/abilities that synergize with it. Would any rangers consider dual wielding because of this?

I don't see any other classes making the switch.

Don't forget Rangers and Warriors. Goal is to make dual wielding a little more attractive. It would give dual wielding classes a defensive option without going full sword 'n' board.

I dual wield on a Ranger, but then I'm not much of a minmaxer Little boost to parry/riposte would be cool and very in line with the spirit of the class.

Looking at the ranger leaderboard, they seem to be split 50/50 between 2h and DW.

With the exception of Tonic who's naked for some reason. New secret meta?

He just has no manners. What can you do?