Dual-Wield is an ability in Baldur’s Gate 3 that allows players to equip two different light weapons in different hands of their character. Although most classes can dual-wield, this ability mostly benefits the classes with Dexterity as their main ability modifier. Such classes include Barbarian, Fighter, and Paladins. You can dual-wield any weapon if it belongs to the Light category and your class and your character’s class allow it.
However, this can be a bit confusing as the game does a poor job of explaining this mechanic. We will explain in detail how you can dual-wield weapons and use them effectively.
Dual-Wield mechanic explained
To dual-wield in Baldur’s Gate 3, make sure that you have at least two light weapons and that your character is capable of dual-wielding. You can check this by going into inventory and looking at the Melee blocks (you should have two of them).
Now select two light weapons and put them individually into these melee blocks. These will appear in your character’s hands. Once you are outside the inventory menu, press the R button to toggle between Dual-Wield and single weapons.
Should you Dual-Wield or not in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Dual-wield has its own advantages and disadvantages. It allows you to deal more damage than Two-Handed weapons, at least in the early sections of the game. You get different actions and weapons skills from your two weapons as compared to the limited skill set from one weapon. It also increases your chances of hitting enemies at close range.
However, dual-wielding becomes obsolete in the later sections of the game, with a vast array of extremely powerful Two-handed weapons. It also removes the bonus action as the game considers swinging the second weapon as the bonus one.
Weapons you can Dual-Wield
You can Dual-Wield weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3 from the following categories as long as they have the Light quality. This includes Clubs, Daggers, Hand Axes, Shortswords, Sickles, and Scimitars.
However, there are some weapons that openly say, “Can’t Dual-Wield.” These weapons are so unwieldy that you can’t use them even with a shield. To easily identify such weapons, the game classifies them under the Can’t Dual-Wield weapon property. That doesn’t mean these weapons are bad by any means. These include some amazing weapons like Vision of the Absolute, The Watcher’s Guide, Lightning Jabber, and Javelin +1.
