Counterbalance and disarm.

[Voltron]

So counterbalance is holding something in your offhand to offset, or counterbalance, the weight of your wielded weapon. If you get disarmed, then your offhand is effectively overburdened and unbalancing you. Right?

When a thief get's disarmed while counterbalanced, do they lose counterbalance?

[Dogran]

Counterbalance is thieves defensive. Its basically a second defense for their defensive like warriors and rangers have dual parry, and Palis and Dks have Set Parry. Holding something in their offhand does not make a difference in counterbalance as long as it is not a second weapon. Now disarming them DOES bring them out of counterbalance.

[Voltron]

Oh. Counterbalance works even if you're not holding anything? Cool. So disarming a thief eliminates two of their three defenses. Sweet deal.

[Vevier]

Yeah counterbalance means you're just using your offhand for balance. Its not usable for a shield (since it'd have to be in position to block things) or for a weapon (gotta be in position to strike). You can have something in that hand, say a stone or an instrument, because it doesn't matter where around your body it is, its just as effective.

[Davairus]

Counterbalance isnt full defense.. its maybe half of one.