'COUNTERBALANCE' Syntax: automatic Mobility is the primary defense for rogue classes, as they live by the motto that the best way to avoid being hit is by simply not being where the blow will land. More experienced shadows, thieves, and bards can apply this lesson to enhance their dodge ability even further by fighting with just a single one-handed weapon, freeing their other hand to act as an unfettered counterbalance so that they can shift their stance and balance even more quickly and thus improve their reaction and recovery speed dramatically. The counterbalance skill not only improves one's chances of successfully dodging an attack, but also allows him to better evade bashing and tripping attacks as well, so that he is less likely to be knocked off his feet and thereby forced to remain in an unwanted fight. If a shadow, thief, or bard is dual wielding or holding a two-handed weapon, they will not be able to use the counterbalance skill. However, held items, such as a bard's instrument, will permit the counterbalance skill to be used since the offhand is not being tied down for attacking or defending. Shields are too cumbersome to allow counterbalancing. Counterbalance is especially useful while initiating with a risky attack, and to help rogues reflexively adopt a more defensive posture should their weapon(s) be disarmed. It also allows rogues a chance to dodge arrows completely.