Currently, without any feats or anything, the rules for two weapon fighting state that you can make an attack at -6 to your main weapon and -10 to your off hand. Now I understand game balance and limiting damage output at low levels and yadda yadda, but I think the rules are kinda ridiculous, considering that in real life, I as a level 1 Jerkwad can pick up a pipe with my left hand and have a better than godawful chance of nailing some poor hobo with it, and it wouldn't even affect what I did with my right hand.
What I propose instead is that you use your full normal main hand stat bonuses, and your off hand maintains a Strength and Dexterity that is only half of the full attributes. ie; a character with a +0 (10) strength gets a -5 (5) in his off hand.
Taking the Two-Weapon Fighting feat would bump up your off-hand STR/DEX by 4 points, while taking Improved would raise it to your full STR/DEX.
This bumps up the power of the players, but I think it makes a little more sense. Any thoughts?
I know what you're thinking. Say whaaaa? I get an extra attack at just a -5 at the bare minimum? Why wouldn't everyone just dual wield something? And that's where a good DM would create more scenarios where the players miss having a free hand and encourage combat maneuvers. Also, the enemies are able to do the same, so a shield would save your bacon more than the extra damage would. Unless I'm totally missing something. Lol.