Weapon stances

Two-Handing

Hold a two-handed melee weapon with an empty off-hand to take the Two-Handing stance. It adds 2 damage and 5 percentage points of critical chance. In ordinary melee combat, Sweep also hits up to four other enemies beside you for 20% of the swing, rounded to at least 1 damage before their defences.

Dual Wielding

Hold a weapon in each hand for Dual Wielding. The off-hand weapon adds half its damage, rounded down, plus another 15% rounded down for the stance. Its other stats count in full, and the stance adds 5 percentage points of critical chance. Cleave hits up to three other enemies who are beside both you and the main target, for 25% of the swing before their defences.

Shield Stance

A weapon and shield give you Shield Stance and 1 extra armour. If you dodge an adjacent enemy's melee attack, Shield Bash deals 1 to 3 damage according to the shield's own armour. A hardened boss spell shield can stop the bash.

Duelist and shared rules

A one-handed melee weapon with an empty off-hand gives you the Duelist stance, adding 1 damage and 5 evasion points. These stances change automatically when you change what you are holding. Cleave and Sweep spare your companions and unprovoked docile wildlife. Their damage includes a critical swing, but leaves out the extra backstab or assassination damage.