Dual wielding refers to using a one-handed weapon in both hands. It is intended to be an option halfway between the damage output of two-handed weapons and the defensiveness of a shield and weapon combo.
Mechanics
Whenever the player equips two one-handed weapons of any type, dual wielding grants the following stats: {{#ask:
-Has subobject::Character Has stat id::~*dual_wield* |?Has stat text= |format=ul |sort=Has stat text |mainlabel=-
}} The attack speed bonus is applied multiplicatively with other attack speed modifiers. These bonuses to dual wielding can be increased via passive skills. Weapons do not have to be of the same type to receive dual wielding bonuses.
There are no penalties of any kind to attacks with the player's off-hand weapon. The majority of attack skills in Path of Exile will alternate between equipped weapons for attacks,[1] swinging first with the main hand and then with the off-hand weapon. The resulting attack speed is the average of the two weapons' attack speed, so the total time for a pair of attacks is as if each weapon attacked once.
It is possible to dual-wield wands. However, players cannot wield a wand in one hand and a melee weapon in the other.
Single-weapon attacks
The following attacks only use the player's main hand weapon[1]:
Ground Slam: Mace
Leap Slam: Axe, Mace, Sword
Ice Crash: Axe, Mace, Sword
Double Strike: Any
These attacks choose a random applicable weapon to attack with:
When the player has two different weapons equipped when using a skill that only works with one of them, only the valid weapon will be used for attacks made with that skill. Skills that fall under this category (apart from the above) include:
- Glacial Hammer: Mace
- Heavy Strike: Axe, Mace, Sword
- Infernal Blow: Axe, Mace, Sword
- Sunder: Axe, Mace
- Earthquake: Axe, Mace
- Lacerate: Axe, Sword
- Puncture: Claw, Dagger, Sword
- Reave: Claw, Dagger, Sword
- Viper Strike: Claw, Dagger, Sword
- Whirling Blades: Claw, Dagger, Sword
- Blade Flurry: Claw, Dagger, Sword
If only one weapon is used, the dual wielding bonuses will still apply; however, the attack rate will be based only on the weapon that is actually used. The tooltip appears to be wrong.
Simultaneous attacks
The following skills attack with both weapons at the same time[1], both need to be of the required weapon type:
- Cleave: Axe, Sword
- Dual Strike: Any
- Riposte: Any
Unique items
These items contain bonuses which can only be obtained through dual wielding: #invoke: Item table
Passive skills
There are passive skills that grant dual wielding bonuses.
Physical damage while dual wielding
These passive skills grant increased physical damage with weapons while dual wielding.
Template:Passive table
Accuracy while dual wielding
These passive skills grant increased accuracy rating while dual wielding.
Template:Passive table
Attack speed while dual wielding
These passive skills grant increased attack speed while dual wielding.
Template:Passive table
Critical strike chance while dual wielding
These passive skills grant increased critical strike chance with weapons while dual wielding.
Template:Passive table
Chance to block while dual wielding
These passive skills grant additional chance to block while dual wielding.
Template:Passive table
Ascendancy passive skills
There are Ascendancy passive skills that grant dual wielding bonuses.
Template:Ascendancy passive table
Strategy
Blocking
Passive skills
As of 2.1 there are the following passive clusters that provide block chance while Dual Wielding:
- The Scion starting area: 4%
- Dervish (near Duelist): 2%
- Blade Barrier branch (south of Dervish): 7%
- Aspect of the Panther and Weapon Artistry (near Ranger): 4%
- Swagger cluster (upper east of Ranger): 4%
- Slashing Comeback (lower east of Ranger): 4%
- Gemini cluster (northeast of Shadow): 6%
All of the dual wield block nodes are located in or near the Dexterity sector of the passive tree, making a critical strike build a natural choice. This is enhanced by the Twin Terrors cluster with its 125% critical strike chance and prime location between Bravado and Dervish.
There is a total of 27% additional block chance on the passive tree for a total of 42% possible block chance without items, or 38% if we discount Slashing Comeback which is gated behind five sword nodes and is thus prohibitively expensive for non-sword builds.
Items
Using a Maraketh dagger (i.e. 
SaiSaiDagger
Physical Damage: 22-88
Critical Strike Chance: 6.20%
Attacks per Second: 1.35
Weapon Range: 10Requires Level 70, 121 Dex, 121 Int6% Chance to Block Attack Damage
), corrupting an item with a 
Vaal OrbVaal OrbStack Size: 10Corrupts an item, modifying it unpredictablyRight click this item then left click an item to corrupt it. Corrupted items cannot be modified again.
Shift click to unstack.
, or crafting with Vagan, Weaponmaster can provide some additional block chance. Failing this, or if more flexibility in passives is desired, one or more of the following unique items may work:
- Wings of EntropyWings of Entropy
Ezomyte AxeTwo Handed Axe
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (156.6-174) to (235.8-262)
Critical Strike Chance: 5.70%
Attacks per Second: 1.35
Weapon Range: 13Requires Level 62, 140 Str, 86 Dex(7-10)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
+(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
(60-80)% increased Physical Damage
Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Fire Damage in Main Hand
Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Chaos Damage in Off Hand
Counts as Dual WieldingFire and Anarchy are the most reliable agents of change. (10% (Legacy)/8%): A popular choice due to allowing for 100% block chance applied to spells when combined with Stone of LazhwarStone of Lazhwar
Lapis AmuletRequires Level 5+(20-30) to Intelligence(12-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(10-15)% increased Cast Speed
+(30-50) to maximum ManaYou are slow, foolish and ignorant.
I am not. and RainbowstrideRainbowstride
Conjurer BootsQuality: +20%
Energy Shield: (88-102)Requires Level 53, 94 Int(4-6)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(140-180)% increased Energy Shield
+(40-60) to maximum Mana
+20% to all Elemental Resistances
25% increased Movement Speed"They say that you should take life's troubles in your stride.
Some men have a longer stride than others."
- Gaius Sentari. - The Bringer of RainThe Bringer of Rain
Nightmare BascinetQuality: +20%
Armour: (518-680)
Evasion: (745-978)Requires Level 67, 62 Str, 85 DexSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 18 Melee Physical Damage
Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 18 Faster Attacks
Socketed Gems are supported by Level 18 Blind
6% Chance to Block Attack Damage
Adds 20 to 30 Physical Damage to Attacks
(200-300)% increased Armour and Evasion
+(200-220) to maximum Life
20% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Block
Can't use Chest armour
Extra gore"What lies beneath your feet?!"
"Sacred ground, watered with tears of blood!" (15% (Legacy)/6%): Helpful for reaching the block cap with Wings of Entropy, leading to the famous "Bringer of WoE" build. - The AnvilThe Anvil
Amber AmuletRequires Level 45+(20-30) to Strength8% Chance to Block Attack Damage
10% reduced Attack Speed
10% reduced Cast Speed
+(400-500) to Armour
+(34-48) Life gained when you Block
+(18-24) Mana gained when you Block
+3% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
Reflects 240 to 300 Physical Damage to Attackers on BlockForge your Perseverance on the Anvil of Faith. (10% (Legacy)/8%, +3% maximum): Precludes Stone of LazhwarStone of Lazhwar
Lapis AmuletRequires Level 5+(20-30) to Intelligence(12-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(10-15)% increased Cast Speed
+(30-50) to maximum ManaYou are slow, foolish and ignorant.
I am not., severely limiting its effectiveness for non-Gladiators. - Ungil's GaucheUngil's Gauche
Boot KnifeRune Dagger
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (16-17.6) to (68-74.8)
Elemental Damage: 3-30
Critical Strike Chance: 6.30%
Attacks per Second: 1.59
Weapon Range: 10Requires Level 20, 31 Dex, 45 Int30% increased Global Critical Strike Chance+12% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
+(10-20) to Dexterity
(80-100)% increased Physical Damage
Adds 3 to 30 Lightning Damage
10% increased Attack Speed
50% increased Global Critical Strike ChanceUnwieldy and garish became graceful
and deadly in Ungil's nimble hands. (20% (Legacy)/12%): A single Ungil's Gauche provides a large amount of block chance rivaling most shields, as well as a strong 90% increased global critical strike chance. However, its direct attack characteristics are not endgame viable, and are subpar even for Module Error: No skills found with q_where = skill.active_skill_name="Cast On Critical Strike" builds, delivering 10.47% base critical hits per second whereas rare daggers can exceed 18% with top rolls. - Advancing FortressAdvancing Fortress
Gut RipperClaw
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (44-48) to (116.6-127.2)
Critical Strike Chance: 6.30%
Attacks per Second: 1.50
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 46, 80 Dex, 80 Int+44 Life gained for each Enemy hit by AttacksSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 12 Fortify
15% Chance to Block Attack Damage
(100-120)% increased Physical Damage
+110 to Evasion Rating
+35 to maximum Energy Shield
+(30-50) to maximum Life
Reflects (71-90) Physical Damage to Melee Attackers"A man cowers behind his walls.
A woman carries her fortress with her.
In heart, in mind, in hand."
- Sekhema Deshret (15%): Grants the highest block chance of all weapons, nice defensive bonuses, and a free Fortify gem. However, its damage output is subpar. - Prismatic EclipsePrismatic Eclipse
Twilight BladeOne Handed Sword
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (108-120) to (188.4-199.2)
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 53, 91 Str, 91 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy Rating+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
Adds (60-70) to (71-80) Physical Damage
25% increased Global Physical Damage with Weapons per Red Socket
12% increased Global Attack Speed per Green Socket
0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana per Blue Socket
+2 to Melee Strike Range per White Socket"A raging Solaris seared and contorted the orb's surface.
A despairing Lunaris filled the scars with her tears.
Yet Viridi remained, trapped within, forever more."
- Azmerian Creation Myth (10% (Legacy)/8%): In addition to the block chance, Prismatic Eclipse can provide interesting socket bonuses, particularly 36% attack rate for a GGG version. However, it has a low base damage and its critical hit capability is even worse endgame than those of Ungil's Gauche. - Essentia SanguisEssentia Sanguis
Vaal ClawClaw
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (75.4-87) to (197.6-228)
Elemental Damage: 1-200
Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%
Attacks per Second: (1.56-1.69)
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 66, 95 Dex, 131 Int2% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding Claws
(140-180)% increased Physical Damage
Adds 1 to 200 Lightning Damage
(20-30)% increased Attack Speed
+(30-40) to maximum Energy Shield
50% reduced Maximum Recovery per Energy Shield Leech
Energy Shield Leech Effects from Attacks are not removed at Full Energy Shield
Ghost ReaverThe darkest clouds clashed and coupled,
giving birth to four lightning children of hate. (10% (Legacy)/8% with claws): Without improved critical strike chance, Essentia Sanguis is lacking in direct attack capability lategame. - Mark of the Doubting KnightMark of the Doubting Knight
Platinum KrisRune Dagger
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (88.8-93.6) to (351.5-370.5)
Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%
Attacks per Second: 1.08
Weapon Range: 10Requires Level 64, 76 Dex, 149 Int50% increased Global Critical Strike Chance+5% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
(250-270)% increased Physical Damage
10% reduced Attack Speed
+(6-10)% to all Elemental Resistances
50% chance to Cause Bleeding on Critical Strike
50% chance to Cause Poison on Critical StrikeNothing is pure.
Slice open the Innocent
And spill a thousand Sins. (5%): Without improved critical strike chance, Mark of the Doubting Knight is lacking in direct attack capability lategame. At only 5% additional block chance, reaching the block cap will also likely require corrupted items and/or Master crafting. - ScaevaScaeva
GladiusOne Handed Sword
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (154.8-175.2) to (243.6-278.4)
Critical Strike Chance: (5.75%-6.25%)
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 60, 113 Str, 113 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy RatingAdds (75-92) to (125-154) Physical Damage
(15-25)% increased Critical Strike Chance
0.3% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life per Red Socket
+10% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier per Green Socket
0.3% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana per Blue Socket
8% increased Global Defences per White Socket
(60-80)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance when in Main Hand
+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage when in Off HandEven from the back rows,
the whistling steel was mesmerising.
They watched the dance in the arena dust, silent as the dead.
A spell only broken by the spilling of blood. (8%): This weapon gains block chance when equipped in the off-hand. Compared to Prismatic Eclipse, while its socket bonuses are not as powerful, its base damage makes it usable for attacking. As a downside, equipping it on the off-hand sacrifices a large amount of potential critical strike chance. - Rigwald's CommandRigwald's Command
Midnight BladeOne Handed Sword
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (114-138) to (298.8-334.8)
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.30
Weapon Range: 11Requires Level 68, 113 Str, 113 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy Rating+10% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
Adds (60-80) to (150-180) Physical Damage
+(350-400) to Accuracy Rating
+1% to Damage over Time Multiplier for Bleeding per Rage while wielding an AxeFear not death. Turn to him, face him.
And smile as he sinks his teeth
into the throats of our oppressors. (10%): While end-game viable for non-crit builds, it is a league-exclusive item and its bonuses are sub-optimal without axes, which lacks uniques that add block chance.
Most of the one-handed uniques above are all lacking in direct attack capability in the lategame, so it's advisable for users to wield them in the offhand and arrange to attack with the main hand only.
Spell block
Since there is no spell block on the passive tree for dual wielding, any spell block will have to come from either Ascendancy passive skills, items, or jewels.
Apart from corrupted items (which add a flat 2-4% to Spell Block only), the only way to get capped spell block is to use 
Stone of LazhwarStone of Lazhwar
Lapis AmuletRequires Level 5+(20-30) to Intelligence(12-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(10-15)% increased Cast Speed
+(30-50) to maximum ManaYou are slow, foolish and ignorant.
I am not.
, 
RainbowstrideRainbowstride
Conjurer BootsQuality: +20%
Energy Shield: (88-102)Requires Level 53, 94 Int(4-6)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(140-180)% increased Energy Shield
+(40-60) to maximum Mana
+20% to all Elemental Resistances
25% increased Movement Speed"They say that you should take life's troubles in your stride.
Some men have a longer stride than others."
- Gaius Sentari
, and 
Wings of EntropyWings of Entropy
Ezomyte AxeTwo Handed Axe
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: (156.6-174) to (235.8-262)
Critical Strike Chance: 5.70%
Attacks per Second: 1.35
Weapon Range: 13Requires Level 62, 140 Str, 86 Dex(7-10)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
+(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
(60-80)% increased Physical Damage
Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Fire Damage in Main Hand
Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Chaos Damage in Off Hand
Counts as Dual WieldingFire and Anarchy are the most reliable agents of change.
. Not using the last can still yield a respectable but not capped amount of spell block.
These Ascendancy passive skills grant bonuses to spell block:
Template:Ascendancy passive table
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mark_GGG (November 11, 2013 5:28 AM). "Double Strike + Dualwield = worst combo ever?". Path of Exile Forum. Retrieved November 11, 2013.