I'm going to be playing in a naval campaigh today. Wr're starting at 5th level, and I'm going to be playing a duskblade. I want to have a high DEX, since I won't be wearing much armor, which tends to benefit dual wielding. I have a question about the duskblade ability, Arcane Channeling, and its interaction with dual wielding.
My question is, if my duskblade dual wields, does the spell channeled affect both weapons? I.e. when using two daggers, could I cast a single shocking grasp and deliver it through both weapons? From the wording of the ability, and the overpoweredness of the idea, I'd guess not. (Although the 'full attack' portion of the ability gained later would probably allow the spell to pass through offhand weapon strikes).
If not, can I cast a touch spell, hold the charge on it, and then use it in conjunction with Arcane Channeling to deliver two spells in one round while dual wielding? I.e. cast a shocking grasp, hold its charge, and then use arcane channeling to deliver chill touch with my main hand and then discharge the shocking grasp through my offhand? This seems more plausable, because the Arcane Channeling ability does not specify 'once per round' or anything of that nature - just that the spellcast and attack are one joint action, and that the spell triggers after the attack succeeds, and I'm using two spells, etc, just like I would normall need to do - just triggering both spells in the same round.
Any thoughts or ideas on this? GM desicion, or is there an actual rule established for this?
My question is, if my duskblade dual wields, does the spell channeled affect both weapons? I.e. when using two daggers, could I cast a single shocking grasp and deliver it through both weapons? From the wording of the ability, and the overpoweredness of the idea, I'd guess not. (Although the 'full attack' portion of the ability gained later would probably allow the spell to pass through offhand weapon strikes).
If not, can I cast a touch spell, hold the charge on it, and then use it in conjunction with Arcane Channeling to deliver two spells in one round while dual wielding? I.e. cast a shocking grasp, hold its charge, and then use arcane channeling to deliver chill touch with my main hand and then discharge the shocking grasp through my offhand? This seems more plausable, because the Arcane Channeling ability does not specify 'once per round' or anything of that nature - just that the spellcast and attack are one joint action, and that the spell triggers after the attack succeeds, and I'm using two spells, etc, just like I would normall need to do - just triggering both spells in the same round.
Single-Channel only works on one attack. Also, read it closer: you spend a standard action to channel and attack. you only get one attack in a round where you do that, so only one weapon. (full attack channel DOES work this way, so long as you have the hands)
Also: you need a hand free to cast spells with somatic components (most of your touch spells).
Or the Somatic Weaponry feat. Still Spell does NOT work because, as a spontaneous caster, Stilled Spells have their casting time increased, and the casting time must be 1 std action or shorter for Channelling. None of your touch spells will be channellable (sp) as stilled spells.
Bolded part: you can only have one touch spell "active" that is, charge held, at a time, per the magic rules.
So: no.
I'd recommend two-handed over dual wielding for a Duskblade, if only becasue you can take your hand off the 2hw and put it back on as a free action. (Double weapons work for this too, but you still only get 1 attack with Basic Arcane Channelling.)
I'll pick up a two-hander then. I forgot all about requiring a free hand for somatic componants. Spontaneous casting makes metamagic feats equally useless 
Aside from the 'sudden' feats and ones like somatic weaponry. Time to re-design my duskblade then! Thanks again!At level 9 you could take Rapid Metamagic(Complete Mage). And as suggested above, Somatic Weaponry(also Complete Mage) which you could take by level 3.
Remember, if you use a two-hander(or a double weapon, like the Dire Flail, etc.), you won't need Somatic Weaponry. Get Obtain Familiar, instead. You have the HP for it to survive.
Normal Metamagic isn't entirely useless, either. some of your spells can be useful even with the increased casting time. (non-Touch range ones, mostly.)
I'd look into reserve Feats (Comp Mage, IIRC.): They give you some nifty tricks, and give you a bonus to certain types of spells. Look at the spells you're mostly using and see which reserve feats are the most useful for you.
Other tips: see if you can't get your DM to increase the spells avaliable to you, especiall for levels 4 and 5. Try and pick up some touch spells for those two levels. (If you're neither Lawful nor Good, I suggest Touch of Chaos from Exemplars of Evil.)
Also, there's a feat from PHB II that can be useful. Arcane Spell Channelling, IIRC: (it's something like that.) It lets you sack a spell to deal damage/level of the spell. Useful for burning those higher level spells.
Note that my DM lets all spontaneous casters use their entire spell list (a la Warmage), so here's what i've noticed, spell wise:
Spells I've used a lot:
1. Shocking Grasp. (More useful at higher levels if your DM rules that a single creature can be effected by the same spell more than once. 4 hits for +5d6 apiece? yes, please.)
Chill Touch.
Obscuring fog. (If you ever end up against anything with SA, you'll thank me.))
2.)
Touch of Idiocy. Trust me on this one.
See Invisibility can be useful.
Ghoul Touch.
Darkvision.
Bull's Strength (only if there's not another caster in the party.)
3.)Greater Magic Weapon
Also:
Vampiric Touch.
Swift Fly. (argue for real Fly.)
4.) Dispel Magic (Only if you can convince your DM that the +10 cap should be removed. because it should anyway.)
Or:
Phantasmal Killer. Granted, it's a double save spell, but a failure leads to death.
Level 4 Star: ENERVATION. No Save, just suck.
5.) Chain Lightning. (Every spellcaster needs at least one good area burst.)
Disentegration. (I shouldn't need to tell you why.)
At level 9 you could take Rapid Metamagic(Complete Mage). And as suggested above, Somatic Weaponry(also Complete Mage) which you could take by level 3.
Remember, if you use a two-hander(or a double weapon, like the Dire Flail, etc.), you won't need Somatic Weaponry.
Correct, however I was suggesting Somatic Weaponry for use with Two Weapon Fighting.
At level 9 you could take Rapid Metamagic(Complete Mage). And as suggested above, Somatic Weaponry(also Complete Mage) which you could take by level 3.
Remember, if you use a two-hander(or a double weapon, like the Dire Flail, etc.), you won't need Somatic Weaponry.
Correct, however I was suggesting Somatic Weaponry for use with Two Weapon Fighting.
I know that. Apologies if I offended.
I'm also thinking of taking the Dragon Disciple prestige class, either from the DMG or T&B. Dragon Disciple gives a lot of advantages to me - more strength and con, more armor, some utility, and even (if I can use the T&B one) a hit dice and size increase, and of course the breath weapon. The problem arises when determining when I should enter the prestige class:
If I enter at level 14 I'll pick up seven levels of DD. I get nearly all the duskblade benefits: Full attack arcane channeling, most of my quick casts, etc. All I lose is one level of spells (5th), a couple more times per day of quick cast and some of the spell power benefit. The downside is that I don't get a lot of the benefits of the DD prestige class. I'd have a weaker breath weapon, half the bonus stats, and no wings or immunities.
If I enter at level 10, I pick up all of the benefits of the prestige class. I'll have a lot of extra strength, a 6D8 or 6D10 breath weapon, wings, better natural armor, and several immunities. The huge downside is missing the full attack arcane channeling, not to mention 4th and 5th level spells.
Most likely I'll enter Dragon Disciple at level 14. Any thoughts on this? Ty again for all the info!
Edited to correct typo. On a side note, can you still get the 3.5e books online? I went to Border's yesterday and was told 3.5e is out of print
At level 9 you could take Rapid Metamagic(Complete Mage). And as suggested above, Somatic Weaponry(also Complete Mage) which you could take by level 3.
Remember, if you use a two-hander(or a double weapon, like the Dire Flail, etc.), you won't need Somatic Weaponry.
Correct, however I was suggesting Somatic Weaponry for use with Two Weapon Fighting.
I know that. Apologies if I offended.
None needed, I was simply clarifing.