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?

Woolenthreads

Prior to v1.6 the damage of 2H weapons had been nerfed to a similar level to 1H weapons. I seem to recall that the weapon skill-lines had similar damage boosts but that DW had a range and AoE while 2H had a Stun and Immobilise. In addtion one of the 2h Passives increases Stamina Regen. It's possible that the people who like the 2H builds like having the CC and regen.

GreyRanger

As of 1.6 I would suggest

2h >> DW

2h more ST damage
2h disable
2h much superior heal

DW a eh, ranged attack no one uses

LIQUID741

^^^^

This guy..2H is soo much more powerful and sustaining...groups of mobs are 0 issue with 2handers. Brawler/Rally = Profit.

Rune_Relic

You have a cloak now instead of sparks in DW.
This does local AoE DoT like the old skyrim destruction cloaks.
You also have a single target heal on hit and area stamina recovery on hit.
Sounds like it is much more clunky and difficult to use then 2h though.
Not convinced weapon poison/fire etc is hitting as often as it should though.
Almost like the fire/poison is only on crit its so rare.