How does Dual Wield work?Follow

I looked through the archived posts and couldnt find anything on dual wielding. I didnt see a search function for the message boards, so I may have missed it.

If someone could tell me how Dual Wield works, or point me to a place that can tell me, I would be most appreciative. I've started a new character, a ranger, and it is my first one with dual wield. I soon realized that I had no idea how it works. Does the game check the dual wield skill every time the primary weapon swings, and if the check is sucessful, the secondary weapons also swings(and would secondary weapon delay effect this?)? Or, is the secondary weapon completely independent of the primary weapon? I.E., the weapon would swing if a sucessful check is made at the end of the secondary weapon's delay.

I've no clue, please help.

Thanks for your response.

I already know how to get the skill ups and all the basics, what I want to know is how it is determined when my off hand will swing. And, if possible, how I can influence it to maximize my damage output(weapon damage/delay, arrangement, etc.).

This is exactly how DW works. The offhand weapon swings are completely unconnected to the mainhand swings. Everytime the delay for the offhand weapon comes up, the game does a DW skill check (I believe the 1/4th skill as a percent formula is correct). If the check is successful, then it swings the weapon.