Which is a better tank and why? A) 2 handed sword dk or B) 1 handed sword and shield dk ?

WhiteTigre · February 2015

This came up in our guild as discussion because we trying to explain the differences to someone who is levelling a dk tank

Your thoughts and suggestions and please also add the changes that are coming in patch 1.6 with regards to this topic

timidobserver · February 2015

I would be concerned if this discussion took place in my PVE guild.

LtCrunch · February 2015

I don't even....

1h/s without a doubt. That's the tanking skill line. A stamina heavy 2h build could make a decent tank for groups of trash mobs if spamming brawler. For anything else it's a no-brainer.

WhiteTigre · February 2015

Many of us know the answer to this in our guild but we just trying to help some new players who are being different and just cannot fathom the game mechanics especially at vr levels how important the correct build is . So guys I understand your concerns but please post the pro's and con's of this topic.

dodgehopper_ESO · February 2015

Shield: More opportunity for defensive enchantments, blocking is significantly stronger. There is also a taunt skill in the skill line.

2Hander: If you can get overpowered with respect to the content, I don't see why not. Otherwise, you probably want to use shield.

Rosveen · February 2015

Tanks want to maximize damage mitigation and debuff and control dangerous enemies. That's what sword&shield line does.

How to explain it to a new player? Well, if they don't want to learn from other people's experience, they'll just have to get overpowered by some hard-hitting boss before it sinks in.

Leeric · February 2015

Taunt, damage mitigation, and added armor, 2handed sword is for dps, all the abilities are dps focused.

Sleep · February 2015

Why do you think 2H and 1H/S are even comparable in tanking?

Jennifur_Vultee · February 2015

I tried being a Dragonknight tank in heavy armor with 2 handed axe...for the most part I did ok, but that it just ok. Around lvl 40 I finally picked up a sword and shield, my survivability and the survivability of my group easily doubled. I can honestly say I like using my 2 handed axe but 90% of the time I'm sword and shield now. I may not deliver huge amounts of damage but I can absorb loads of damage while keeping the focus of the biggest threats to my party.

I see my 2 handed axe as something I use for fun now, when it comes time to get serious and tank I use sword and shield.

Soriana · February 2015

I leveled all the way through to V14 as a 2H tank...hard to believe, I know. I also ran vet Crypt of Hearts with a group as a 2H tank, and we actually made it through after SEVERAL tries. Not that I didn't have S&B leveled, just didn't think I needed it as much as everyone said I did.

Just for the heck of it I specced out my S&B, made some weps and a couple shields (so I could have werewolf ultimate on one bar to generate ultimate faster). Tried vet Crypt of Hearts again and I'm here to tell you I WAS WRONG!! Man, I shudder to think all the gold in repair bills and time spent wiping and redoing fights with my guild.

Tell your guildies, from an idiot who did it, that there is no comparison. S&B is the only way to go!

WillhelmBlack · February 2015

You cannot taunt w/o the S&B skill line, unless you use the Undaunted skill line one which you can only get at later levels. The S&B passives are designed for tanking, 2H are definitely not!

Drasn · February 2015

The only way that I can think of for 2h to compare is if they can build ultimate fast enough to keep Magma Armor perma-active.

S/B main benefits come from block cost redux and amount blocked.

The debuffs from S/B are tanking oriented as well: the taunt makes the mob take more damage, and then low/deep slash provides mitigation.

Defensive stance is one of the best tanking skills just for the passives it has on it.

I just don't think 2H can come out on top.
Can it be done. Sure.
Can S/B do it better. No doubt.

Xjcon · February 2015

Would you want to be half a tank half a dps? Or would you want to be either of those and do them well? S/b makes things so much easier for the tank and healer.

itsBishop · February 2015

Yeah this is a no-brainer. You want to tank? Use the weapon line that was designed with tanking in mind.

/thread