To two weapon fight or not to two weapon fight.

If I am sporting two fighers in my party I will invariably make one a two weapon fighter. In my first attempts I would rush to it as soon as possible. Now my approach is more measured. I'll get my primary weapon focus and weapon specialization first along with some other feats such as cleave or combat reflexes . Then I will start to build my offhand weapon.
My offhand weapon will be "light" so as to reduce the to hit penalties to only -2 for each hand. I would have to acquire the namesake feat two weapon fighting of course. Weapon focus and specialization.
More advanced feats would be the next phase. Improved critical for both weapons. Improved two weapon fighting and defense possibly.
My favorite build is using a bastard sword for my primary hand and a short sword for my offhand. The bastard sword does good damage and the short sword is "light". I have used a different build with Fruella, whom I have turned into a two weapon monster. Masterwork cleaver in her primary hand and hand axe in her offhand. The two weapons actually use the same proficiency! This frees up many feat options.
What combination or system do you prefer. Or do you favor the old sword and board? Perhaps one great weapon doing massive damage.

 

Can't say that I've tried two weapon fighting with anyone except Rangers- I always tend to specialize my pure Fighters in long and great sword (for when I get the Frost Brand- does really well against Zuggtmov(?)...)

 

I highly recommend using fighters for two weapon users. They have more feats and excellent BAB. I give my rangers the archery fighting style.

 

For my melee combatant (singular), I use a reach weapon and Combat Reflexes. Everyone else uses a bow.

 

From what I've read reach weapons seem to be popular and effective. I haven't actually tried one yet. It is big fun to slide up next to an ugly and rip into him with both of your weapons. By level eight-ish you are completely shredding your enemies. I almost feel sorry for them...

 

I've definitely had the AI exploit in mind for a while now. I'll get to it sooner or later
The donut threat area might be tricky to do right though, so not sure I'll do that.

 

Most reach weapons are also two-handed, thus granting you extra damage for your strength...

 

A dual wielding fighter with the appropriate feats and the "speed" enchantment on both weapons becomes a shredder!

 

I forgot about the speed enchantment. Part of the Temple+ modification I believe. Definitely will be on those weapons. Good times. Will it stack with haste?

 

No it will not, but it does give you an extra attack with each weapon that has that enchantment on it.

 

Dual wielding becomes more tempting with higher enhancement bonuses, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting feat and Speed weapon ability, but two handed weapons with trip attack bonuses and possibility to use trip attack as part of full attack is also great (especially for dwarves, if they have their racial trait Stability; wondering about dwarven monk...).

 

People like Dwarven monks. I was in a rpg group that had an halfling monk. Pretty cool. The barbarian and him did a version of the x-mens 'fastball special'.

 

Longspears are, presently, the most poweful weapon in the game due to them being Simple weapons, 2H, and reach weapons. Add Combat Reflexes and suddenly it doesn't need to be your turn for hordes of enemies to die!

A reach weapon can get you 2:1 Power Attack returns, (Great) Cleave with reach, and, with enlarge person or/and righteous might, even more reach! This generally requires less investment than TWF.

But if you really want to go TWF, Rogue (often multiclassed with Fighter, Ranger, or/and Barbarian) is generally best. Sneak Attack applies per attack. Dual wield shortswords (they're light weapons), flank a lot, have a high initiative (Improved Initiative!), and just be lethal.

 

Generally, I find Ranger/rogue multiclass good for the Large number of skills and for TWF a Dwarf can be "Interesting" as the Dwarven Waraxe is a racial proficiency and can be used one-handed by a Dwarf, one in each hand