I have a question for higher level bards. Currently Im a 16th level bard and
will soon learn the Dual Wield skill upon obtaining 17th level. Up until
last night, I was using a wooden shield. I had planned on using Dual Wield
exclusively once I got the skill. However, I got very lucky and looted a
shiny brass shield (SBS) from the orc trainer. How I got it was a pretty
good story so I would like to pass it on before I go further. I returned to
Crushbone after a long absence to purchase a dragoon dirk. I had full
intentions of returning to Antonica as soon as I got a dirk. Since I was in
CB, I decided to see if I could get a SBS. When I go to the hill there were
only a couple of other people there. I explained to them I only wanted one
shot at the trainer and that if I didn't get the SBS I would be on my way.
They agreed to let me go first in the rotation. The trainer appeared twice
but was stolen from me twice by someone who arrived after the initial
agreement was made. The killstealer finally left and the trainer spawned a
third time. I ended up killing him. To my luck, the very first time I
killed the orc trainer I looted the SBS. Can now gladly say that I don't
think I will ever go into CB again. If I ever decide to use a Screaming
Mace, I think I will just purchase it from someone rather than suffer the
chaos of CB.

Back to the original question. Now that I have the SBS, I'm wondering about
the tradeoff between using two weapons versus the extra AC and magic
protection (+10) that the SBS provides. Currently I have two magic weapons,
the dragoon dirk and Crookstinger. Both are piercing weapons and very fast.
The dirk is DAM 6 and DLY 23. Crookstinger is DAM 4 and DLY 21. I
personally like the idea of dual wielding these two weapons. However,
knowing that bards are usually #1 on the mobs hate list, it also seems like
a good idea to keep my AC up. I guess the key factor in deciding between
the two is that over the course of a battle, does the extra damage inflicted
by dual wielding (once that skill is maxed out) offset the extra damage you
receive due to having a lower AC?

Just based off my observations, every character I have seen who can dual
wield seems to do so and foregoes using a shield. I assume that dual
wielding is the way to go but would like to hear what the higher level bards
have to say.

Thanks
Galtin
Bard and Master Brewer of E'ci