Question about monk and having a dagger in offhand

[Huliman]

Hi im doing my first solo monk run, i was wondering if having a dagger in offhand to get the deflection from the proficenty ability, does it still go under dual wield or does the fist not count as a wepon there for it goes under one hand style?. also could you both. appriciate some explanation, is there a way in game to check this?. 

[Boeroer]

Hello!

If you put a dagger in your offhand you will be dual wielding (fist + dagger), you will attack with fist and dagger alternately (when using auto-attacks) or at once (when using Full Attacks like Stunnung Surge) and you will get the speed bonus. If you use Primary Attacks you will only use your fist (no alternation).

If you put the dagger into the main hand you will get the accuracy bonus for single weapon usage and only attack with that dagger in all cases.

If you do primary attacks only (like Force of Anguish for example - those are attacks that only use the main hand) you would still get the speed bonus and the deflection bonus of the dagger but not attack with the dagger itself, circumventing the damage malus of the dagger modal completely.

For a solo Monk the much better option to get similar but higher benefits is to use the bashing shield Tuotilo's Palm (Two Weapon Style + Weapon & Shield Style BOTH apply) instead of a dagger. You can use the same tactics as with the dagger but the defense bonuses will be a lot higher and also the unarmed accuracy will be higher - while the speed bonus still applies. 

Edited July 20, 2023 by Boeroer