two weapon fighting pathfinder

Two Weapon Fighting Pathfinder: A Comprehensive Guide for Dynamic Combat

Introduction

Greetings, readers! Welcome to this comprehensive guide on two weapon fighting in Pathfinder, an incredible technique that empowers your characters to wield two weapons with deadly efficiency. This guide will delve deep into the mechanics, strategies, and benefits of this agile and versatile combat style, providing you with the knowledge to unleash the true potential of two weapon fighting.

Equipment and Gear

• Main-Hand and Off-Hand Weapons: The first step in mastering two weapon fighting is selecting the right weapons. Consider the damage potential, reach, and special properties of different weapons to find a combination that suits your character’s combat style.
• Armor: Medium or heavy armor will hinder your ability to effectively dual-wield weapons. Light armor or no armor is preferred for optimal agility.
• Feats: Several feats enhance two weapon fighting, including Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Rend, and Greater Two-Weapon Fighting.

Mechanics

• Full Attack: When wielding two weapons, you can make a full attack, consisting of a primary attack with your main-hand weapon and a secondary attack with your off-hand weapon.
• Two-Weapon Penalty: Each attack made with a light weapon incurs a -2 penalty to attack rolls, while wielding two one-handed weapons results in a -6 penalty.
• Feats and Abilities: Abilities like Ambidexterity and feats like Two-Weapon Fighting reduce these penalties, allowing for more accurate attacks.

Strategies

• Primary Focus: Prioritize attacks with your main-hand weapon, as it benefits from a lower attack penalty. Use your off-hand weapon for secondary attacks or coup de grace.
• Target Selection: Attack targets with lower Armor Class or Fortitude to minimize the impact of attack penalties.
• Flanking: Position your character to flank enemies, granting your party a +2 bonus to attack rolls.

Special Considerations

• Two-Weapon Rend: This feat allows you to deal bonus damage when you attack two different targets in the same round.
• Paired Weapons: Weapons with the Agile property or the Paired property can be wielded without incurring the Two-Weapon Penalty.
• Monks: Monks have a unique ability called Flurry of Blows, allowing them to make multiple attacks with unarmed strikes or weapons without incurring attack penalties.

Table: Two Weapon Fighting Penalties

Conclusion

Two Weapon Fighting is a rewarding and versatile combat style in Pathfinder, offering your characters increased damage potential and combat flexibility. Whether you’re facing hordes of enemies or challenging single opponents, mastering this technique will elevate your adventures to new heights.

Interested in exploring other exciting aspects of the Pathfinder system? Check out our articles on:

• Class Guides: Explore the unique abilities and playstyles of various character classes.
• Feats and Abilities: Discover powerful feats and abilities that enhance your characters’ capabilities.
• Campaign Settings: Dive into the rich and diverse worlds of Pathfinder’s campaign settings.

FAQ about Two-Weapon Fighting in Pathfinder

How does Two-Weapon Fighting work?

When you attack with two weapons, you take a -2 penalty to both attacks. However, if you have the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, this penalty is reduced to -1.

What is the benefit of Two-Weapon Fighting?

The benefit of Two-Weapon Fighting is that you can make more attacks in a round. This can be especially effective against enemies with low Armor Class (AC).

What is a TWF build?

A TWF build is a character build that focuses on Two-Weapon Fighting. TWF builds typically use feats and abilities to increase their attack bonus and damage with two weapons.

What are some good weapons for Two-Weapon Fighting?

Some good weapons for Two-Weapon Fighting include daggers, short swords, and kukris. These weapons are all relatively light and easy to wield, making them ideal for making multiple attacks.

What feats are good for Two-Weapon Fighting?

Some good feats for Two-Weapon Fighting include:

• Two-Weapon Fighting: Reduces the penalty to attack rolls when fighting with two weapons.
• Improved Two-Weapon Fighting: Further reduces the penalty to attack rolls when fighting with two weapons.
• Greater Two-Weapon Fighting: Removes the penalty to attack rolls when fighting with two weapons.
• Rapid Shot: Allows you to make an extra attack when using a ranged weapon.

What classes are good for Two-Weapon Fighting?

Some good classes for Two-Weapon Fighting include:

• Fighter: Fighters have a wide range of feats and abilities that can benefit TWF builds.
• Ranger: Rangers can use their favored enemy bonus to increase their damage against certain types of enemies.
• Rogue: Rogues have sneak attack, which can deal extra damage to flat-footed enemies.

How do I calculate my damage when Two-Weapon Fighting?

To calculate your damage when Two-Weapon Fighting, you add your attack bonus to the damage bonus of your weapon. You then multiply this total by the number of attacks you make.

How do I deal with enemies with reach?

Enemies with reach can attack you from further away than you can attack them. To deal with this, you can use a reach weapon, such as a spear or a halberd. You can also use the Combat Maneuver feat to trip or disarm enemies with reach.

What are some tips for Two-Weapon Fighting?

Here are some tips for Two-Weapon Fighting:

• Use weapons with the light property. This will allow you to make more attacks without penalty.
• Focus on increasing your attack bonus. This will help you hit more often.
• Use abilities and spells that can increase your damage. This will help you deal more damage to enemies.

How do I avoid getting disarmed when Two-Weapon Fighting?

There are a few things you can do to avoid getting disarmed when Two-Weapon Fighting:

• Use the Improved Disarm feat. This feat gives you a bonus to your CMB when attempting to disarm an opponent.
• Use a weapon with the disarm property. This property gives you a bonus to your CMB when attempting to disarm an opponent.
• Use the Combat Expertise feat. This feat gives you a bonus to your CMD when attempting to avoid being disarmed.