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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hypersmurf" data-source="post: 2462284" data-attributes="member: 1656">If you are wielding a second weapon, you can make an extra attack.  You're not required to make the attack, but the option to make that attack is a consequence of wielding a second weapon.If the penalty is incurred for having the option to make an attack (rather than for making the attack), you are 'fighting this way' any time you wield a second weapon in your off-hand, because that grants the option.If you have the Power Attack feat, you can choose to take a penalty in order to deal extra damage.  If you have the Combat Expertise feat, you can choose to take a penalty in order to gain extra AC.If you wield a second weapon, you can choose to make an extra attack.  But you've already said it's the ability to make the extra attack - not making the extra attack - that incurs the penalty.  And that ability is a direct consequence of wielding two weapons.  You can wield two weapons and not make an extra attack, but you can't wield two weapons and not have the potential to make an extra attack.The penalties are a consequence of 'fighting this way', not a condition.  You take the penalties, when you fight this way... rather than you are fighting this way, when you take the penalties.-Hyp.</blockquote>