Double Weapon Attack and Rapid Strikes

[SuedodeuS]

While ordinarily forbidden, the rules in Martial Arts for Combinations allow a third attack to be combined with Dual Weapon Attack, for a total penalty of -9. Thus, it may be appropriate to allow someone using DWA to include a rapid strike, but the additional penalty is -5 and applies to all attacks.

[trooper6]

Originally Posted by SuedodeuS

While ordinarily forbidden, the rules in Martial Arts for Combinations allow a third attack to be combined with Dual Weapon Attack, for a total penalty of -9. Thus, it may be appropriate to allow someone using DWA to include a rapid strike, but the additional penalty is -5 and applies to all attacks.

A two-handed combination is not the same as a Dual Weapon Attack. DWA gives the defender as defense penalty and has a different to hit penalty system.

That they are different is made clear on MA109: "Martial artists can learn a class of multiple-attack techniques called "combinations" (p.80). These constitute a special case of Rapid Strike.... Regardless of skill or speed, a fighter can use only one combination per maneuver. If he does, he can't execute a Rapid strike or Dual-Weapon Attack as part of the same maneuver. For more on the interaction between rules that let a warrior use a single maneuver to attack more than once, see Multiple Attacks (pp126-128)"

And of course that section also points out you can't combine DWA with Rapid Strikes.

DWA & Rapid Strikes are different kettles of fish. DWA is limited to two attacks ever. But you don't have to burn fp, and you can get your DWA to equal your weapon skill, and you get to put a defense penalty on your opponent. Rapid Strike can get you multiple attackes (if you use that optional rule--and in our Arena game we've seen people pull off 5 and 6 attack Rapid Strikes), but there is a to-hit penalty that can't be bought off with a technique only mitigated by Weapon Master/TBaM and burning fp.

The two are balanced against each other, but combining them removes the game balance.

[Onkl]

Thank you very much for your explanations!