2h vs. DW

Hamanu · March 2015

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 · March 2015

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 · March 2015

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 · March 2015

^^^^

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

Rune_Relic · March 2015

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.