I have a question about ninjas.

I have a pretty high level ninja. I've tried equiping a weapon in each hand but I can only my ninja to attack with the primary weapon. I get multiple attacks but only with the primary weapon.
My other fighters can attack with both hans so I am wondering if it's just a ninja thing.

• RE: NInja - Primary Attack Only?,Dragon2k, 08:27 AM, Jul-10-04
  • RE: NInja - Primary Attack Only?,BG (Guest), 03:50 PM, Jul-10-04
    • RE: NInja - Primary Attack Only?,Dragon2k, 11:36 PM, Jul-10-04
      • RE: NInja - Primary Attack Only?,BG (Guest), 02:27 PM, Jul-12-04
        • RE: NInja - Primary Attack Only?,Dragon2k, 08:10 PM, Jul-12-04

having just one primary weapon equipped forfeits the secondary attack (this would be the ninja's left hand, btw), so if all you have is a staff, even with the bare left hand, only the primary weapon will be used.
there also is a difference between multiple attacks, and multiple swings per attack. the former is based on speed, the latter, dexterity.
for multiple attacks (so your ninja can use both weapons), he will need several things.
1) high speed (16+ gives a second attack)
2) High weapon skill(s), so practice that fighting
3) Higher Level (level 4 or 5 minimum)

one thing that might be causing confusion, is if you have him equipped with, say, 2 katanas, the game makes no distinguishment between which Katana is being used currently. similarly, if the ninja is fighting barehanded (as he should), they seem to get multple attacks and multiple swings in each attack quite fast.
at level 3 a ninja gets the second attack, at level 9 a third, and at level 15, the fourth and final attack. this is with minimum speed. even a speed of 15 will help gain 3 attacks at level 7

for multiple swings in each attack, dexterity is the key factor, as well as level and weapon skill

Thanks for the reply.

I am not sure if I understand what you mean in the first part of your reply. I have equiped both hands with weapons but still only get the primary attack.

Skills are no problem since my ninja has 100 almost all of the fighting skills, and 18+ in all attributes(strength, speed, etc...) and it is well over level 20 so level shouldn't be a problem as well.

I also think weapon combinations are ok as well. I don't equip to of the same weapon. I have tried variuos combinations of bushido blade, katana, nunchuncks(sic), si, ginzato(sic) and a few others but I still only get the primary attack.

Lastly, do you think it is better to not equip a ninja with a weapon?

that's wierd, the only other thing I can think of is the secondary weapon's skill (for nunchakas this would be mace and flail) is low, but I doubt that since you already mastered most weaponry skills.
you also did understand everything in my post, completely.
Nunchukas, Sai, and Ninjato are the secondary weapons you have used, the latter 2 being daggers.
I'd download Wizardry VII Editor, and try the Saved Files Viewer, and look on the right, cause you should be getting 4 attacks with 4 swings each.
http://www.iosphere.net/~eric/wizardry/

just had a thought, but is your ninja hiding and in the back? cause this WILL do what you experiance. it seems the game does not figure the hiding into the secondary attack range. I originally though thieves and bards didn't get a secondary attack, but, moving them up to the first 3 positions cured that.

last question, it depends, but for most weapons, barehanded beats them consistantly. except for the Faerie Ninja late in the game, of course.

Thanks for the reply.

You're right about attacking with only the hands and feet. My ninja hasn't seemed to lost any of it's attacking power.

Also, my ninja is in number 4 position so I think that's why I can only get primary attacks. I am going to to move him up a position and see what happens.

Thanks again

I will bet you one copy of Wizardry IX that your ninja, with any weapon, will get the secondary attack once you move him to the front 3. there's a front 3, and back 3, the back can only attack, and be attacked by Extended Range weapons (or thrown, or long range). unless hiding and surprise/backstab attack. in which case the secondary weapon has to be an extended range weapon (of which none exist, sadly), a thrown weapon (feather darts, shurikens), or a long range weapon (Cobaltine Power Glove or Mystery Ray)
and if your going that route, get an Extended Range weapon, like the Cat O' 9 tail (like you have much choice for one), so your ninja doesn't have to waste a round hiding, and also you don't have to worry about criticals spoiling the hiding, and forcing you to hide again. another thing is, that the character is targetable, and will be targetted more often, and with his low AC, won't be hit, saving another character the pain.
btw, AC is important, and you get this via Level, Speed, and most importantly, Ninjutsu. more often you hide, better ninjutsu you get a lower AC. equip the ninja with a staff or Annointed flail only, and have him hide/fight repeatedly against savant guards. a few protective spells couldn't hurt his survival.