Under the old rules, models with two-handed weapons (eg. uruk-hai berserkers) were allowed to choose whether they wanted to make one or two-handed strikes, and you would declare this to your opponent before working out the combat. It was assumed that all models had a hidden dagger or something that they could use to fight one-handed if they wanted to.

(Apparently this was to make models like berserkers viable as they'd become a bit unpopular when two-handed only due to the -1 combat penalty).

Is this still the case in the new rules? Looking through the rulebook I can't see an explicit mention of models having a choice. And lots of models are listed only with two-handed weapons, I don't think there's a rule saying that everyone has a hidden dagger etc.

They are listed as having a dagger or whatever in their normal profile usually. You add a two-handed weapon. Thus, you can choose. As for berserkers, they are classified as hand and a half swords now. Hope this helps

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By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

I think the idea with the 1,5 h weapons is that with those you can choose whether to use with two hands or one. So if you have only a 2h, then I think you must use a 2h strike. Many profiles list models as having both 2h and 1h weapons and then you can choose still. If the profile says only 2h weapon, then I guess you must 2h strike. I do not think the assumption of everyone carrying a dagger would help? Do not daggers still get -1 one the dual roll too?

It looks like the hand weapons for everyone was done away with. Page 83. says that each model only has the gear it is listed in is profile as having or whatever you buy for them. Alhvar is right on that. Daggers are just classed as hand weapons, though, so they work the same as swords with no penalty.

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"Draw your sword with a heavy heart, but swing it with a heavy hand"

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, checking the berserkers (which I have quite a few of) it does say they're officially hand-and-a-half, so they're OK.

I guess maybe there's just a few models that don't have the option to fight one-handed. For example, Balin champion of Erebor is listed as having a two-handed mace (only) and has no weapon options, so must always fight two-handed. Not sure if there's (m)any more examples.

He is not burly or something that would remove the dual penalty anyway?

Don't habe the hobbit armies book, but my guess is it is master forged.

_________________
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

It isn't. The other dwarves either have an hand-and-half weapon or Weapon Master (Active, so doesn't work when transfixed) which grant no penalty for using two-handed weapon.

Well Balin is gonna just have to sit around with his long beard then.

_________________
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

The only models that do not have a weapon that can be used without a penalty to the duel roll are Moria Goblin Prowlers, Moria Blackshield Captains, Ashrak, Thrydan, Sharkey, Hobbit Dol-Guldur Khamul, the Dwimmerlaik*, Angbor the Fearless*, Clansmen of Lamedon*, Farmer Maggot, Thorin's Company Bofur.

*If mounted on a fellbeast, the Dwimmerlaik can use the Fell Beast's teeth and claws to avoid the penalty. Angbor the Fearless and Clansmen of Lamedon ignore the penalty on natural rolls of a 6 to win the fight.

How have you made this list ?

Profiles on the rulebook I would assume. I read mine front to back almost everyday. Don't judge me.

_________________
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

If you have a two-handed weapon and No other weapon at all then you have no choice but to use it as a two-handed weapon, but with hand and a half weapons or having anything else even a dagger, you can fight normally, they could of said you can choose to fight as unarmed but seeing as this is worse than a two handed weapon that would of been pointless.