Two weapon fighting, rangers, sneak attacks

[Simplicity]

Two weapon fighting confuses me.

Let's say you have a ranger with the rogue multi-class feat.
In order to sneak attack, you need to be wielding a light weapon.
Is it sufficient to be wielding a light weapon in the off-hand?
If so, do you use the offhand weapon damage for whatever power is used? Or do you use the main weapon damage since the power doesn't indicate offhand damage?

My wife was looking at building a ranger who wields a bastard sword and a short sword (until I noticed that a light weapon was needed, we were considering two bastard swords... which is kind of crazy to think about). It seems that in most cases, it's pretty rare that the offhand weapon damage gets used anyways...

 

[Sashi]

To use the rogue powers you must attack with a light weapon. No holding a dagger and attacking with a bastard sword allowed.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Yup, essentially the power/ability uses whatever weapon is appropriate.

So, a Ranger power you could use either, since it just needs to be melee (or use both anyways since some are both weapons attacking).

The Rogue abilities and Sneak Attack are reliant on using the weapons listed, so in this case Light Blade. As such the Rogue powers and Sneak Attack use the off-hand weapon and its attack and damage.

 

[Surgoshan]

Basically, you have a bastard sword in one hand and a short sword in the other. You attack with the bastard sword until you get CA, then you use the short sword for that one attack and get the sneak attack bonus. Then, because you've used your once per encounter sneak attack, you go back to using your bastard sword.

 

[rkanodia]

I like the idea of taking Quick Draw and using the bastard sword two-handed until the Combat Advantage comes up. Then you draw the short sword and attack with it in a single action. Not too much point, but you win on style points.

 

[Stalker0]

keep in mind though that a ranger can use two bastard swords, because the TWF ranger gets this ability. However, you still cannot sneak attack with them, you must have a light weapon.