Level 15 Templar, what should I pick as my second weapon set?

Foolski

My main weapon set is a one-handed weapon and shield (S&B ). I really enjoy this combo and with the Templar I get to use some long range abilities (28m) as well as some good healing.

Restoration staff
My first thought was since I'm a Templar maybe I should get a restoration staff, since I would be able to heal more and give myself mana back quite easily. But then I still want to be offensive/slightly tanky, and there will be people who are going all out heals and will be able to do a better job than me. Plus I still am able to heal people anyway as a Templar and I'm not sure if I want to dedicate a whole skill set to something I can already do.

Bow
I then thought having a bow might be a possibility, being able to attack from long range will no doubt have it's advantages, especially during PvP. But then will a Templar who has half of his abilities dedicated to ranged damage really be that useful in group PvE dungeons (for example)? Also a bow can definitely stand on it's own as a main weapon set, and I don't want to be spending time trying to level up a second main weapon to be on par with my S&B; just to feel as if I'm doing decent with it.

Two-handed
Having a S&B as a defensive/poke attack and a two-handed as a offensive/heavy attack seemed like another alternative, being able to switch between them to deal with different situations. But is the difference really that great? I'm not so sure about this as I haven't tested it out to a proper extent. If anyone is more experienced or has this combo, any advice would be great.

Second S&B
Finally I decided that just having the same weapon set will not only allow me to use my currently favoured set, but allow me to essentially double the space for the related skills. Also this will mean I could possibly decide later on when I'm more experienced which other weapon set to choose from, without wasting anymore skill points (I have put one in bow and one in restoration staff, I also know I can respec them). But this option holds little variety, and I want to be as useful as I can to others as well as myself.

Your advice?
If anyone can advise me on what on earth to do I would be extremely grateful! I couldn't wait to get to level 15 so I could switch out my weapons but now I'm here (actually almost 17, it's taking me this long to decide) I'm cursed by choice! Your input will be surely be valued greatly not only by me but others who are in my predicament.

Thank you!

TL;DR
I have no idea what I'm doing.

Shimond

It sounds to me like you really need to kind of pick a role, or hybrid if that's what you want to do. Do you want to be able to sit back and heal at times or have a ranged option with (mostly) unlimited mana? Resto staff is good for that (in fact my templar is a hybrid dawn/restoration build with a resto staff), but as you know you trade some damage and tankiness.

Do you just want to tank? Second sword/shield and more abilities would probably be best for that.

Do you want more damage? You already list the melee and range options for that.

Honestly...it comes down to what it is you want to do. None of us are going to be able to tell you that.

Vikova

It really does come down to how you want to play - dedicated or hybrid.

There is nothing stopping you from trying out a couple of different options as you continue to level and see what you like. My Templar is sword and board/2H. I enjoy being able to switch styles depending on the kind of fight I am in when leveling him, i.e., single-target or group fighting. Once I get him to later levels, I am planning to primarily use 1h/board for tanking and PvE, with 2H for PvP.

But again, there's nothing stopping you from trying out multiple things and respeccing later.

Foolski

You guys are right, I'm conflicted between what I want to be, that's what it most like boils down to. Maybe I just need to have a think about it and test things out instead of trying to decide straight away.

Shimond

You can redo your skill points in the capital city (at 100g per point) so it isn't a big deal if you just test out and find you don't like something.

Foolski

Shimond wrote: »

You can redo your skill points in the capital city (at 100g per point) so it isn't a big deal if you just test out and find you don't like something.

Oh really? I thought it cost a lot more than that, or that might be because the video I watched was showing a character with a lot of skill points.

Shimond

Yea it's a lump sum - you have to respec all the points at once but if you're a lower level character it's not that expensive.

Vikova

Yep. It isn't bad. Try out a few different things for the next ten or fifteen levels, see what you enjoy.

Kyosji

What are your attributes currently? Health - Stamina - Magika

If you have a much higher Stamina number, go with Bow. Stamina increases the bows damage.

If Magika, use either a destruction staff. If you also have less health and take a lot of damage, the restoration staff.

Those should be your only considerations.

Vikova

Nothing should ever be "your only considerations." Ignore anyone who says such things. Play the game how you wish.

Vraok

At first I planned to roll a DK with 2H/Bow. After a while I switched the bow for DS, and I was surprised how much fun the DS into Melee charge is. So maybe you should consider it, although as a templar who uses alot of magicka from the get-go, maybe a bow would fit you better. But after all, it's your choice.

Foolski

Kyosji wrote: »

What are your attributes currently? Health - Stamina - Magika.

Currently my attributes are:
-Magicka 543, 8 points
-Health 551, 2 points
- Stamina 507, 5 points

I wear Heavy armour also. I want to be in the center of the fight helping others by either tanking or healing, damage isn't as important on this character, although I can still do a fair bit.

I'm approaching Wayrest, where the respec altars are so once I've done more testing I'll be able make my choices.

All these suggestions are very useful, thanks guys!

Kyosji

Then the restoration staff may be better, if you want to be a healing tank.

Cheatingdeath23

I'm only level 11, so I'm trying to plan for this decision. So far I've only put one skill point in sword and shield, so I could decide to go 2 handed or something else.

One advantage of sword and shield is I can get 3 armor sets (7 armor plus sword and shield), whereas 2 handed or staffs don't offer that.

Foolski

Yeah, I think I'm going down that path. I've been using the resto staff and it's beginning to become very useful.

Foolski

Cheatingdeath23 wrote: »

I'm only level 11, so I'm trying to plan for this decision. So far I've only put one skill point in sword and shield, so I could decide to go 2 handed or something else.

One advantage of sword and shield is I can get 3 armor sets (7 armor plus sword and shield), whereas 2 handed or staffs don't offer that.

Good strategy. That's why I like S&B, I can be in the fight longer without having to run away to heal myself.