Hi all ... an old topic I know but if anyone is interested here are the rules I use for my games (using a mix of RM2 & RM Classic + house rules)
With the development point cost I lowered them from what they are in the RM2 rules (RAW says that the DP cost is simply doubled for each weapon). I felt at the time that was a bit high so added my own but maybe, on reflection they should simply be doubled, to stop really fast development of the skill ... hmmmmmmm
TWO WEAPON COMBO SKILL
Skill is used in two weapon combinations. With this skill the user may engage in two weapon combat without the -25 modifier. He gains 2 attacks each round, and may engage two opponents providing neither opponent is receiving any positional combat modifiers for their OB (e.g., If either opponent is receiving +15 for Flank Attack, +25 for Rear Flank or +35 for Rear Attack the individual cannot attack both opponents in the same round).
Against 1 opponent: There is no negative attack mod.
Against 2 opponents: There is-20 to both attacks.
Parrying: The user must reduce both weapon OB’s by the same amount.
• Against 1 opponent, the user gains the parrying effect of 1 weapon.
• Against 2 opponents, each opponent may be parried against equally.
Similar Skill: This skill only allows similar weapon skill for other two weapon combinations utilizing the same type of weapons.
DEVELOPMENT POINT COSTS FOR TWO WEAPON COMBO
Alchemist 20 Delver 12 No Proffession 3/6
Animist 14 Dervish 3/9 Paladin 3/6
Archmage 20 Druid 14 Ranger 3/7
Astrologer 20 Fighter 2/5 Rouge 3/6
Barbarian 2/7 Healer 20 Runemaster 20
Bard 4 High Warrior Monk 2/6 Sage 16
Bashkar 2/5 Illusionist 20 Scholar 12
Beastmaster 3/7 Lay Healer 15 Seer 17
Bounty Hunter 2/6 Magician 20 Shaman 14
Burglar 3/7 Macabre 14 Sorcerer 20
Cleric 13 Mentalist 15 Thief 3/9
Conjurer 20 Monk 4 Trader 3
Craftsman 4 Montebank 3 Warlock 19
Crafter 4 Mystic 20 Warrior Mage 3/7
Cyrstal Mage 16 Necromancer 20 Warrior Monk 3
Dancer 3/8 Nightblade 3 Witch 20
DEVELOPING TWO WEAPON COMBO SKILL
• First, a character must separately develop normal Weapon skill ranks for each weapon in the hand that will be used in the Two Weapon Combo (TWC). These skills can be used separately without using TWC.
• Then, the TWC skill must be developed to represent the user's ability to use the two weapons together in melee as outlined in RC2 p.42. A total of three skills (left hand, right hand and then the TWC skill) must be developed.
• TWC skill must be developed separately for each weapon combination. Using the same two weapons in different hands counts as a different Combo.
• A character uses the actual TWC skill as their offensive bonus to attack but the non dominant hand offense bonus is reduced by a quarter.
EXAMPLE: Garrot Felheart, the Fighter, has +87 with his morning star (right hand), +72 with his mace (left hand) and +60 for using both weapons together in a combination. Garrot is right-handed.
Garrot can make a single attack with either his morning star at +87 or his mace with +72.
Or Garrot can make a TWC attack in one round using an OB of +60 for his morning star (right hand) and +45 for his mace (left hand) – the left hand is his non dominant hand and the TWC is reduced by ¼.
When Garrot is flighting Rukas, a rather nasty half orc armed with a handaxe and shield, Garrot can attack Rukas twice in one round with +60 for his morning star) and +45 for his mace. Should Garrot want to parry +10 with his morning star on Rukas’s attack Garrot must decrease both his morning star AND mace attack by -10.
A round into the combat Rukas is joined by his brother, Snegga armed with a short sword. Snegga doesn’t managed to position himself to Garrot’s flank or rear and flights alongside Rukas in front of Garrot.
When Garrot attacks both Rukas and Snegga in the same round (morning star attack on Rukas and mace attack on Snegga) both Garrot’s OBs are reduced by -20; +40 with his morning star and +25 for his mace.
Again, should Garrot elect to parry at +10 he can parry both Snegga and Rukas’s attacks but both Garrot’s attacks are reduced by -10.
• If a character is ambidextrous and they already have skill with using both of the weapons they don’t have to learn a skill in their “off hand” (ie they only need to develop the TWC skill as they will have the same proficiency in both hands with both weapons)
NOTE:The TWC OB for a weapon may never exceed its normal, one-hand use OB. The OB for the TWC must be the same or less than the OB for the lower of the weapon OBs used single handed.
GAMEMASTER COMMENT: While at first glance having to learn three skills (left hand, right hand and then the TWC) seems like quite restricting the idea behind it is to ensure game play balance. Being able to attack twice in a round is a big advantage hence requiring a bit more effort is required.