What is the downside to duel wielding compared to two handers? If I have two 1H swords that each do 40-100 damage isn't that better then a 2H sword that does 40-100 damage? I often see 1 handers with the same or slightly less damage then a two hander of the same level. So why use a two hander? Is damage reduced for duel wield and increased for two handers? Would really appreciate any help on this matter, thanks!

There isn't really a downside. It should be maybe that you need to update 2 weapons instead of just 1 as you go up in levels. The damage is just about the same too. Remember there is loads of different types of 1 and 2-handers and it sounds like you've compared a slower 1-hander with a faster 2-hander. You need 2 1-handers to get to the same damage as a 1-hander. Plus/minus a bit.

With a 1-hander you can choose to use a shield too, with raised defence. Also the 1-hander/shield wielder got some crazy good skills, such as Dark Conniption and I'm Rubber, You're Screwed.

I don't know the mechanics, but generally the 2-handers hit harder, while the 1-handers hit faster. Dual-wielding will normally give you the same damage output in the end, though.

Personally, I dual-wield two 1-hand weapons because I get two sets of bonuses to play with. One of them can be high AGI and the other can be high STR-END bonus, while if I use a single 2-hand weapon I have only one set of bonuses. More items = more flexibility.

Also, with 1-handers you can switch to a shield when necessary, as LM pointed out. And shields are in some situations life-savers.



Edited by Khazandra (08/28/08 01:15 PM)

Great, thanks for the help guys! My brother and I are both warriors and I duel wield while he uses a two hander. I think a major upside to this game is that you can specialize in 1H/Shield, Two 1H, and 2H without any penalty. Best to just use what's best I guess.

Quick addendum: What is best varies. I always have at least one shield, four 1-hand weapons and one 2-hander in my bank, so I can switch to whatever is most effective for what I am currently doing.

What about cleave damage? I always thought that 2 hand would give more damage, because cleave only registered one of the weapons you weild as the damage factor for cleave? I've never tried dual weild so i'm not sure.

Think of it as "death of a thousand paper cuts" vs. "hulk smash". Both are effective and the use of either is really a matter of preference. That being said, please note that any weapon-based skills like cleave are based on your main hand weapon. Also, there are relatively slow, hard-hitting 1H weapons (I love dual wielding dimensional hammers, for example - very good, consistent DPS) and pretty cast 2h weapons.

lol, one of the better comparisons I've heard.

generally:

dual-wield for per-hit effects (+% to health/mana)
2-hand for single-shot attacks (cleave)

i have 3 basic setups

1, Skullie w/ Hangnail DC, Screwed, and 1H Swivel .4 Att Speed(unbuffed)
2. Dual Skullies 1H Swivel .33 Att Speed(unbuffed)
3. Gavel 2H Swivel, Cleave, and Awesome Cleave .87 Att Speed(unbuffed)

Dual Skullies ( http://demosthenez.100webspace.net/d...charname=bogey )give me the most leeway for other skills as the other 2 setups require 3 skills
each. I use all 3 sets though depending on the situation.

Gary



Edited by Bogey (08/30/08 12:43 AM)