2h vs. DW

Hamanu

I am just starting a NB and I have seen in chat and a few places in forums people talking about NB STA builds using 2h. So I am here to ask which is better 2h or DW. Is there a real difference other than the weapon skills themselves? I am currently only level 7 with my NB but I have 2 level 4 one hand axes on and my skills all say they do x amount of damage. When I put my level 4 2h sword on that has a higher weapon damage rating than one of my axes but not both, the damage on my skills drops. So just from what I can see there is no real benefit to 2h. Am I missing something?

Fatalyis

As of right now, 2H is out-DPSing DW (at least from the tests I've seen) with the ability Wrecking Blow. As a comparison, DW does lower amounts of damage at a more rapid pace, whereas 2H is all about burst. The last ability in the 2H skill tree, Momentum, is a buff that increases your weapon damage (not just on 2H but on all weapon based attacks) and gives you a heal over time.

For me, personally, I like DW more than 2H. That being said, though, I have spent some time today running DW on one bar and 2H on the other, using Momentum to buff my DW damage.

I'd suggest leveling them both up and seeing which fits your playstyle.

Cody

2H for burst damage, DW for rapid damage.

Vandril

Cody wrote: »

2H for burst damage, DW for rapid damage.

Both for epic damage.

GlassHalfFull

WithI have tried both. I am sticking with DW because it is more of a NB look to me, I like the skills, and I can enchant one more item and have one more Armor set item than I can with 2H. Also, Steel Tornado rocks.

Stannum

what's your NB race?

So with stamina NB using 2H you will have major weapon buff without charging and using power extraction inside mob cluster (so it's good with using bow on the other bar, or before first use of ambush or surprise attack in PvP) and good stamina based and weapon power/crit based heal. So 2h obviously better then DW if you are going to have only one of them.

DW is good for large square AoE and for good ranged attack with flying blade (good for PvP) but you loose more then you get if you will not have rally skill.
Btw if you are going melee NB witout using bow, it's good idea to have 2H and DW both on different bars.

As for leveling 2H is also better as you have AoE from the start and better light attack dmg. And when you gett uppercut you can easily solo all nonCCimune bosses with uppercut/full heavy sequence spam.