I did Archery I had Varric in the party all the damn time. ;) Bianca is cool, but man I would not trade her for Hood's Message to the King. I just need to make Hood's Message to the King look like the Antivan Adder.

But either way works. Being used to Mage, duel wield was probably more of a different game for you, which makes sense. If you are looking for something different, DW is much more of a different game then "kill em from a distance".

The first time I played through the Arishok got taken out by blowing up my dummy. It made me happy inside.