Is Dual Wielding Good in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Dual wielding in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be a viable strategy, especially at early levels, but its effectiveness diminishes later on unless you’ve specifically built your character around it, focusing on optimizing dual-wielding capabilities and selecting classes or subclasses that complement this fighting style. The decision to dual wield depends on your playstyle, the class you’re playing, and the weapons you have at your disposal, as certain light weapons like daggers, shortswords, and handaxes are designed for dual wielding, offering unique advantages and disadvantages.

Understanding Dual Wielding in Baldur’s Gate 3

To answer whether dual wielding is good in Baldur’s Gate 3, one must consider the mechanics and strategies involved. Dual wielding allows for an extra off-hand hit, potentially increasing damage output, but it also comes with a bonus action cost and typically lower damage compared to a main-hand attack.

Benefits of Dual Wielding

The primary benefits of dual wielding include the ability to make reaction attacks with both weapons simultaneously without needing extra resources, enhancing damage per round and crit hunting capabilities. Additionally, the extra weapon can provide special effects, further diversifying your combat tactics.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the downsides to dual wielding in BG3?

• The main downsides include the cost of a bonus action for the off-hand attack and the lower damage output of the off-hand weapon compared to a two-handed or main-hand attack.

1. How good is dual wielding in terms of effectiveness?

• Dual wielding’s effectiveness can vary greatly depending on the character build, weapons used, and situation, but it’s generally less effective than two-handed weapons in terms of raw damage and defensive capabilities.

1. What weapons can be dual-wielded in Baldur’s Gate 3?

• Only light melee weapons such as daggers, shortswords, scimitars, handaxes, and light hammers can be dual-wielded without specific feats or abilities.

1. Is there an insanely strong dual wield build in Baldur’s Gate 3?

• Yes, certain builds, especially those focusing on Paladins or Fighters with the right feats and equipment, can be extremely powerful when dual wielding, offering high damage output and survivability.

1. What is the most OP class in Baldur’s Gate 3 for dual wielding?

• The Paladin class is often considered one of the strongest for dual wielding due to its damage output, survivability, and versatility, especially when combining Extra Attack with Divine Smite.

1. Can you dual wield staffs in Baldur’s Gate 3?

• Yes, staffs can be dual-wielded, which can be particularly useful for casters looking to increase their spell DC or utilize arcane battery abilities.

1. What are the disadvantages of dual wielding?

• Disadvantages include ineffective blocking capabilities, reduced damage compared to two-handed weapons, and the potential for wasting ammunition or resources if using weapons that require them.

1. Is dual wielding better than single wielding?

• It depends on the situation and character build; single wielding with a two-handed grip often offers more range and damage, but dual wielding can provide more attacks and flexibility.

1. Why is dual wielding ineffective in certain situations?

• Dual wielding is particularly ineffective in battlefield combat due to the difficulty in tracking targets and blocking, and against ranged attacks where a shield would be more beneficial.

1. What is the strongest BG3 build for dual wielding?

   • The Oath of Vengeance Paladin is considered one of the strongest builds due to its versatility, damage potential, and survivability, making it well-suited for dual wielding strategies.

2. Can you do non-lethal damage while dual wielding in Baldur’s Gate 3?

   • Yes, you can toggle Non-Lethal Attacks on and off, which affects all your attacks, including those from dual wielding, allowing for more tactical flexibility.

3. Should I multiclass for dual wielding in Baldur’s Gate 3?

   • Multiclassing can provide more skills and abilities useful for dual wielding, but it also means missing out on higher-level features of your primary class, so it depends on your playstyle and goals.

4. What is the best class for dual wielding in Baldur’s Gate 3?

   • According to player polls, Fighter and Fighter/Rogue multiclass are among the most popular choices for dual wielding due to their combat prowess and versatility.

5. Does dual wielding increase damage in Baldur’s Gate 3?

   • Dual wielding can increase damage output by providing an extra attack, but the damage of the off-hand attack is typically lower than a main-hand or two-handed attack.

6. Can you cast spells while dual wielding in Baldur’s Gate 3?

   • Yes, with certain spells like Booming Blade, you can dual wield weapons and still cast, as long as the spell’s components are met, which can include verbal, somatic, or material components.