The value of the last pip of Two-Handed

kaffekoppen

I'm playing my fighter/thief at the moment in BG1 and I'm going for a specific build (at the bottom). I want to save the least important for last since the last pip will be at the very end of ToB.

Now maybe I'm missing something here, but if Staff of the Ram already has a speed factor of 1, there isn't any real value in that last 2H pip. I could see the value perhaps for the Ravager (speed factor 6), but that one can't backstab anyway.

Build I'm going for:

TWF ***
Scimitars **
Quarterstaff **
Halberd **
Two-Handed **

Pantalion

No value for Two-Handed Weapon style.
Pretty well no value for Two-Weapon Fighting Style either, the offhand weapon is never very impressive.

Have you considered spending both such pips on another specialisation, perhaps one handed?

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kaffekoppen

I wonder if speed factor below 0 actually makes any sense. Maybe they just cap at 0.

@Pantalion: I have, but I do consider the -4 to -2 upgrade valuable early in the game when I'm mainly dual-wielding (and in most of SoA for that matter). Takes a while for a F/T multi to get good THAC0. I'm planning to go for the Spectral Brand +5 / Scarlet Ninja-To combo, which I think is pretty great without needing other 1h weapons.

Pantalion

In BG1, then maybe, but the moment you get into BG2, +2 to hit for a single offhand weapon attack (when you should start with two attacks for your primary weapon with Specialisation) is at best wholly unremarkable, the window between your offhand not being accurate enough to hit most things anyway and not even mattering because you're offhanding Belm is vanishingly small.

Have you considered ranged weapons? You can go sling, dagger or axe quite easily.

Hannarr

IIRC speed factor only applies the the first attack of the turn, the attack speed is determined by your attacks/round.

kaffekoppen

Yes, I think you're right. Seems like it only really matters for hit-and-run tactics and interrupting mages.

Funny, the first point adds huge benefits, the second point adds so little. I have to admit I was also a bit surprised that some 2H weapons have such low speed factor.

@Pantalion: I think the offhand will always matter (Scarlet Ninja-To is also better than Belm), but I see your point. Perhaps I will either postpone or replace the third pip of TWF.