Two Weapon Fighting

I agree that fighting with two long swords doesn't change the damage unless there's a move that says so.  On the other hand, there is one advantage.  When I shatter your first sword, you still have one.  Check out the dude next to you with the broken flail and the look of astonishment.  :)

I'm pretty sure this is in the text somewhere: unless you have a move that says otherwise, when fighting with two weapons your main benefit is having more range options: you take a sword and dagger so you can stab 'em at arm's length AND in close. No bonus damage, you're just giving yourself options (and a fallback when you get disarmed).

Perfect! That's actually a nice option to have. Now I know what to say to thieves that choose short sword & dagger instead of the rapier!

One huge element here is that the GM needs to be aware of their moves, in this case;

*Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment

Which covers "oh, shit, the goblin is too close for you to use your longsword on him - he's basically climbed up on your chest and is hacking away at your neck and face.  Rough times, what are you going to do?"

If you've got a dagger in your offhand, your answer is "shank the fucker." and you've just leveraged yourself into a Hack and Slash you'd otherwise be denied.

Stras is wise. Heed him :)

Also, I'd posit for a fictional effect rather than a mechanical bonus every single time! A compendium 'master swordsman' that specialises in wreaking mayhem with their bladed weapons? Freaking awesome. A move that grants me the fictional power to injure them where they are vunerable instead of a boring +1 damage? Priceless.

Following from that, a thing I threw together:

When you've spent time, money, and blood learning to fight well with two blades, you can take the move "Hidden Threat".

Hidden Threat: When you hack and slash with a single blade, hold 1 for the rest of the battle. When you draw your second blade and reveal that you were just holding back this whole time, you can spend 1 hold when you do damage to do +1-damage.

Once you've taken "Hidden Threat", you can take the rest of these moves whenever you level up, in place of your class advancements.

Cunning Strike: When you can bring both of your blades to bear, you can spend 1 hold from "Hidden Threat" to injure your enemy where they're most vulnerable (the GM will tell you how).

Sever: When you can bring both of your blades to bear, you can spend 2 hold from "Hidden Threat" to sever an opponent's limb.

Parry: When you counter an attack using your off-hand weapon, spend 1 hold from "Hidden Threat" to avoid damage from that attack.

Counter (Requires: Parry): When you parry an attack, you can spend an additional hold from "Hidden Threat" to inflict your damage on the attacker.

Serpent's Fang Strike: When you pounce on an enemy with both blades drawn, spend 3 hold from "Hidden Threat" to close the distance to them and inflict your damage.

Did you just make a WoW combo point rogue Compendium Class?  Yep. You did just make a combat rogue (pvp killing spree) build!

I... I'm confused. Is this a good thing? A bad thing? Just a brainstorm!

Nice :)
It seems a little 'clunky' in parsing though. I'd streamline it a little....

When you've spent time, money, and blood learning to fight well with two blades, you can take the move "Hidden Threat". Choose a threat from the list below.
Once you've taken your first "Hidden Threat", you can take another of these  threat moves whenever you level up, in place of your class advancements.

Hidden Threat: When you hack and slash with a single blade, hold 1 on a 7-9 and Hold 2 on a 10+ for the rest of this battle. When you draw your second blade and reveal that you were just holding back this whole time, you can spend this hold to use your threat(s).


Threats:
Cunning Strike: When you can bring both of your blades to bear, you can spend 1 hold to injure your enemy where they're most vulnerable (the GM will tell you how).

Sever: When you can bring both of your blades to bear, you can spend 2 hold from to sever an opponent's appendage.

Parry: When you counter an attack using your off-hand weapon, spend 1 hold to avoid damage or the effect from that attack.

Riposte (Requires: Parry): When you parry an attack, you can spend an additional hold to inflict your damage on the attacker.

Serpent's Fang Strike: When you pounce on an enemy with both blades drawn, spend 1 hold to choose the distance between them and you.

noofy's version is far superior to mine in every way.

Nah! You came up with the goods! I just had a coffee with you and threw a few ideas out there. :)

Its what this forum is wonderful for: inspiring like minded folks to play around with the game they are digging and put their own stamp on it. If anything, that is the key 'social paradigm' that makes DW so damn old skool revolution :)

You guys rawk! I wish we could have an international  Living DW convention, that'd be ace.