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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 203918" data-attributes="member: 177">First, a terminology note - "base attack bonus" is a very specific thing - it refers to the attack bonus a character gets from class levels, only.  It does not include strength or other bonuses.  Two third level fighters will always have the same base attack bonus, while their total melee attack bonuses may differ.For two characters of equal strength and level, all else being equal, the attack bonus of the one-weapon character will always be at least 2 better than the dual-wielding character.  Two points doesn't seem like much, but at lower levels can be key.By the way, you didn't mention what weapon these characters use in their off hand.  It sure cannot be a bastard sword and have the bonuses you mention.On average, before characters start getting into pretty hefty magic items, a dual wielding character does less damage than a properly armed single-wielding character, on average.  The single wielder hits more often and criticals more often, and gets more use out of those criticals.  It may not seem that way in your group, but that's the way the numbers actually fall out.  If they were using properly chosen single weapons, they'd be doing even better, on average.Part of the problem is thast you don't get to see the average behavior of an NPC.  You only see NPCs for a few moments, here and there, so you don't get a valid comparison.</blockquote>