Sword/Axe lore or Dual-Wield Lore ?

[Edelward]

I started Gladiator on Silver and and now on level 17 .
Yes it was hard between 8-14 but now it is okay .
The question is - I have Sword Lore at level 11 and
Dual Wield at level 3 .
I started reading walktrough on Gamefaqs and it said that Sword / Axe / etc Lore are override Dual Wield or vice versa .
Here it is the quote-
-'''''One point in dual wield will also let you equip two weapons
together, and will override the bonus from the above skill set. In other
words, DON'T TAKE BOTH DUAL WIELD AND SWORD/AXE/LONG WEAPON LORE UNLESS YOU
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING! Dual wield overrides the bonus from these skills,'''''
Now I am puzzled I don't know was it right thing to take double wield or I just negated my Sword lore bonuses ?
{{

[mltnschroeder]

The closest thing I have found that might help you is a discussion on Dual Wielding for a Dark Elf build:
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/Sacred:Tharkane%27s_The_Dark_Elf_Compendium_Part_1,_Sacred_PLUS
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/Sacred:Tharkane%27s_The_Dark_Elf_Compendium_Part_2,_Sacred_PLUS

Here is a build for a Gladiator that only uses Dual Wield and Weapon Lore (no Blade nor Axe lore), and the author explains why:

This guide is for those that wish to dual wield and maximize its potential. Agility raises attack and defense ratings. These will factor into Heroic Courage as well, as a larger base makes a larger buff... (snip) ...I will not go into the argument of taking a second weapon lore, as dual wield over rides it, and a larger base defense makes a higher rating with courage on.

http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/Sacred:R00sters_Gladiator_Guide...The_Gr00_Guide

Also, here is another build for a Dark Elf that includes Dual Wield, and adds Blade Lore at lvl 50 so he can use a specific unique item, but he says it is not necessary. However, also note he recommends only 10 points in Dual Wield, and instead max-out Weapon Lore and Constitution:
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/Sacred:Moon_Reaper_The_Dark_elf_Fire_trapper

So it sounds like when you are dual wielding, the game ignores your Blade Lore level and instead uses your Dual Wield level (in combat). If you want to Dual Wield, you'll need to add at least up to 10 points to that skill. You'll only need Blade Lore to be able to use swords & daggers that require "Blade Lore lvl X" (which tbh are the best ones). So it sounds like atm for your Gladiator you want to stop putting skill points into Blade Lore and instead put them into Dual Wield.

HOWEVER, lvl 11 Blades is neither a waste nor too high imho... eventually later in the game you will find really good blades and unique sets that require some blade lore to be able to use (even though you plan on dual-wielding with them), and you already have it.

[Edelward]

Thank you !
Generally it all correct .
The only thing is that ,according to information I read yeasterday ,
There are 32 skills ,every class starts with two skills has access to 15 skills and is allowed to choose 6 of them on levels :
3, 6, 12, 20, 30 and 50.
So a player has to decide ,which skills he/she prefers .
In some cases skills can contribute to each other effects in some no .
In the case of Gladiator there are few skills,besides the weapon skills, which might be useful in combat - Concentration speeds up special ability recovery ,Agility adds to attack and defence , Armour , Parrying ,Constitution .
Its better to think beforehand what you need because once you got new skill you cant undo it .

[mltnschroeder]

Yes. And it sounds like you want to dual wield, so Dual Wield skill was a necessary pick. But in order to use the best blade weapons, you also need some points in Blade Lore (which you already have). In the 2nd Dark Elf build I linked above, he recommends keeping Weapon Lore maxed, while only putting 10 points in Dual Wield, and he says Blade Lore is optional (for being able to equip unique items & sets). I assume it would be similar recommendation for Gladiator.

You can see here that up to Dual Wield 20 you get pretty good effect for your skill points spent, but after that it progresses much more slowly. So I would recommend Dual Wield 20, then invest your skill points elsewhere. Later in the game you will find equipment that raises your skills anyways, so you can always boost DW (and Blade Lore) that way too.
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/Sacred:Dual_Wielding

Here is another tip I found about Dual Wield for the Dark Elf build which confirms your question:

Dual wielding, and the law which applies to wielding two melee weapons (one in each hand) remains the same in Underworld. Regardless of a weapon's individual weapon skill governance, once a weapon is wielded in concert with another, the Dual Wielding weapon skill governs all attacks. This remains the same from Plus.

Note that, just as it was in Plus, the requirements of a one-handed melee weapon determine if the Dark Elf is able to actually wield the weapon or not. For example: if you lack the Sword Lore skill, you will not be able to wield a weapon that features Sword Lore as a requirement for its use. Unless socketing is used to change the weapon's requirements, you will not be able to equip it.

http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php/Sacred:Tharkane%27s_The_Dark_Elf_Compendium_UNDERWORLD_Parts_1_-_3,_Underworld_addendum#The_Dark_Elf_in_Underworld_-_an_Overview

[Edelward]

As it seems according to Skills , SacredWiki
Weapon Lore skill increases all kind of damage ,allocated to any given weapon , While for example Sword/Axe Lore increases chance to hit and speed of attacks with given weapon type .And Dual substitutes Axe/Sword/etc in case of dual wielding