2 hand vs 1 hand

[dchoi06]

ok guyz for melee fighters at level 50 it branches to either 2 hand or 1 hand weapon leveling...which is better IYO and why?? I am going to be a melee fighter wearing heavy armor.

[stellus]

ok guyz for melee fighters at level 50 it branches to either 2 hand or 1 hand weapon leveling...which is better IYO and why?? I am going to be a melee fighter wearing heavy armor.

They're both pretty much in equal with eachother. Everyone always assumes that 2H is better because it hits for a huge amount, however its rate is slow. Whereas 1H (dual weild especially) doesn't hit for as much damage, but hits far more often than 2H. As you can see they pretty much balance out. The game really leaves it up to you because of this. You're not forced to go with one choice because it's known that one is better.

It all comes down to personal preference. I personally think dual weilding is cool visually, and I also like the fact that missing isn't as much of a inssue as it would be using a 2H.

[tickany]

Another thing to think about is that if you dual weild its possible to have pierce and slash going on at once. One lesson I learned on the mainland is that its important to have different weapon types for different creatures. I had many many problems with gingos on the ML cause I only had a 2HS weapon. Found out that pierce is what is effective with gingos. Picked up a 2HP and I was makeing gingo stew in no time. But it was a pain for me to remember to switch weapons as I always forgot until I was in battle and it wasn't going well I am old and the memory isnt what it used to be I have no clue how dual weilding effects what damage you do if you have a dagger and a sword on so I don't really know how it will work, but I am assuming that you will do both pierce and slash damage at a reduced rate, as opposed to haveing both weapons the same type. Again, I don't really know what I am talking about. Just throwing out something to think about. BTW I am not saying anything bad about haveing to switch weapons for different creatures. I think its a wonderful thing and should never be changed.

[predzz]

2 handed is just like doing 2 attacks , just at the same time. They don't interfere with eachother. So if the mob dodges the sword attack for example he might still get hit by the dagger.
And well..., speed is higher than with a 2H weapon, however some people forget this also means that you will ahve to do your attacks more often, meaning: more HP and Stam drain

[Eshin]

however some people forget this also means that you will ahve to do your attacks more often, meaning: more HP and Stam drain

Exactly. The damage output might be relatively balanced out, between 1h and 2h, but the stamina/hp drain isn't. Sure, not much of a problem if there's a healer standing behind you, but then you'll be relying on him/her more than you'd want.

Choosing between 2-hander and 1-hander should be about tradeoffs, meaning that with 1-hander you do less damage, but can have additional protection in a form of shield (or extra damage with dual-wield), while 2-hander would do more damage, but without the possibility of extra protection. However, it isn't like that at the moment. While having heavy armor on, it's just impractical to wield 1-hander and a shield.

2-handers also have greater reach, when compared to 1-handers (if the mob has greater reach than you you should suffer a penalty). Though the current state of this feature is a bit of a hazy concept to me.

Anyway, it's always better to test things through by yourself, but the choices that majority of players have made are giving you a fairly good idea of what actually works in practice, not just in theory.

[zeal29a]

With Weapon enchants, having 2 weapons gives you 2 enchants.

[Eshin]

With Weapon enchants, having 2 weapons gives you 2 enchants.

Which leads to a question on my part: how do you use them at the same time? If the answer is that you simply change them then it would be the same thing as having one extra enchanted weapon in your inventory (and if that's the case here, then I'm missing the point).

I wouldn't know, enlighten me. (as in, I do know about the "use item" function, but with dual-wield..)

[gralen]

Which leads to a question on my part: how do you use them at the same time? If the answer is that you simply change them then it would be the same thing as having one extra enchanted weapon in your inventory (and if that's the case here, then I'm missing the point).

I wouldn't know, enlighten me. (as in, I do know about the "use item" function, but with dual-wield..)

The use item function only works with your primary weapon (unless I missed something along the way which is always possible); so, while both weapons may be enchanted only your pirmary (right hand) weapon's enchantment will be used.

[orbawyn]

also good to remember is that using a fast weapon you will expend stamina faster because you use your weapon more often. when wearing heavy armor it is more effective to be using the biggest damage weapon and swing it less.

with light armor it is not as much a problem and so faster weapons might be as effective as bigger ones.

[warspawn]

also remember that bonuses from the wpns to stamina or hp will be doubled with 2 wpns. Nice in a pinch to have an extra 50 hp. Not that it'll save you from a huge hit, but someday could be a factor in whether you loot a corpse, or respawn...