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2-hander melee builds? Not popular?

kichwas
kichwas
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When I google up builds and guides I never see 2-hander melee builds.

Am I missing them, or are they just not in meta at all? Are they substantially bad, 0.0001% less than perfect, or just 'not cool'? :)

Pretty much all I see out there for DPS is either dual-wield / bow or ranged options...
Tanks seem to only be 1h+shield on both bars (a year ago I saw a 'controversial' 2-hander tank build using undaunted for taunts, but it's gone now).
And healer seems to always be resto-staff / destro-staff. No other pairings, not even resto-staff with something else.

Is the meta -that restrictive-? Or the guides just that lacking in imagination?

Should I not even bother 'messing around' with a 2-hander DPS build?

Do I just need better google-skills? :open_mouth:
Jah bless
PST timezone - mostly PvE player.

Super casual player
Seeking a casual 'lets do some dungeons and world stuff together' guild.
  • Iziquiel
    Iziquiel
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    As I understand it the meta for Stamina builds is DW/Bow. Im not sure how much the dps difference with 2H/Bow is though.

    There is this StamSorc build by Alcast for 2H/Bow, but he does say its for dungeons rather than trials: https://alcasthq.com/eso-stamina-sorcerer-2h-build-pve/
  • Psyonico
    Psyonico
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    I've got a 2h/bow Stam sorc that I love. Never done a trial on him but I haven't had issues in vet dungeons
  • VaranisArano
    VaranisArano
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    2-Hander Melee builds are excellent in PVP, thanks to good burst damage options, a gap closer, and self-heals with Rally.

    For PVE, its true that DW/Bow is the meta forDDs because those have superior DOT, single target, and damage mitigation skills.

    Healers are able to go resto/destro now that they don't have to use one-hand and shield or dual wield to get two full set pieces and a monster helm. Since healers often use elemental drain, destro makes more sense now to pair with resto.

    In short, the meta is restrictive because that's the most efficient way to complete content. Most content can be completed with less-than-efficient builds.

    So as long as you can complete the content and have sufficient DPS with your two-handed melee build, go for it. (I'd still advise having a bow back-bar because those DOTs are huge for DPS and there are some fights best done with ranged options.)
  • kichwas
    kichwas
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    Iziquiel wrote: »
    As I understand it the meta for Stamina builds is DW/Bow. Im not sure how much the dps difference with 2H/Bow is though.

    There is this StamSorc build by Alcast for 2H/Bow, but he does say its for dungeons rather than trials: https://alcasthq.com/eso-stamina-sorcerer-2h-build-pve/

    I'm looking that one over actually.

    I've made 2 new characters in the last few days that I'm pondering a purpose for - with the intent to delete the other one to leave me 'space to mess around'...
    (I made them basically with identical appearance - 2 Orcs).

    A warden and a Sorcerer. Made the Warden 3 days ago and got to level 13 in between playing 'mains'. The Sorcerer I rolled out after posting this thread and seeing that build.

    Basically I hit this moment this morning with the Warden were I realized this was my THIRD Dw/bow character and I just wasn't interested in an army of clones... so I'm looking at other paths to melee...

    The alcast build actually now says it's for Dungeons AND Trials.

    It seems to be the only current build I can find. Though I also found this from early May:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAxowx6eoE0
    
    - It's a video so I'd have to sit through somebody rambling for a while rather than just a clear article I could read... so I'm holding off on it for now. I think it's for a dragonknight… title doesn't say but I scrolled through it looks like that's the case...

    PvE exclusively... Is Sorcerer much better for this concept than Warden?
    Edited by kichwas on May 30, 2018 9:34PM
    Jah bless
    PST timezone - mostly PvE player.

    Super casual player
    Seeking a casual 'lets do some dungeons and world stuff together' guild.
  • Raraaku
    Raraaku
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    I know 2H is popular in PvP and thus PvP builds. I think Summerset help solve 2H's (and bow's) biggest problem which is that of a spammable skill, but now we have Crushing Weapon. That alone helps quite a bit.

    As for the resto/destro bars on healers... Destro staffs provide a great AoE DoT with Elemental Blockade; as well as Elemental Drain, which is a great sustain group buff for both the healer and others. That's why they are so popular with healers and you don't see much variation. That, and that Restoration and Destruction staffs are the only two magicka weapons in the game and damage scales off of it's resource pool. That's why you won't see a healer rock a restoration staff and a bow on the back bar, the bow doesn't make sense as: 1) Bow literally has no skills that are useful to a healer. 2) The bow's damage is severely limited if the Healer has the majority of his/her attribute points into magicka.

    As for meta builds, there are plenty of players who use non-meta builds and are effective, many simply don't post them for a variety of reasons. Also, veteran endgame content (such as Veteran HM Trials) can be very challenging (as they should be) and everything hits a lot harder and there is a lot less room for mistakes. As for tanks, there is a very limited amount of options for taunts, in fact there are only 3 ways (not counting sets) to taunt: puncture (1h and shield), inner fire (undaunted), and a HA from an Ice Staff with the Tri-Focus passive. Puncture doesn't just taunt, if pierce armor morph is taken, it also applies major fracture and major breach, which is a huge help to DPS. As far as I know, there is no poison that applies both breach and fracture. This is not even getting into 1H and Shield's passives and Absorb Magic skill that are life savers for Tanks.

    DPS is by far the most flexible class in terms of unique builds, as long as you can hit around 25k DPS, you should be good to go for the vast majority of the content on ESO. Tanks and Healers flexibility comes not from their weapon choices, but the skills they utilize in their free slots. I do have a 2H tank, and he's pretty great, but I also have a lot of points invested in 1H and Shield, because I know there is just some content that 2H is just not going to cut it for me to fulfill my role well enough to help my group mates.

    TL;DR: There is flexibility within ESO, particularly with DPS. However there is content, particularly veteran HM trials/DLC dungeons, in which more "traditional" choices are required in order to be an effective group member and carry your weight.
    Edited by Raraaku on May 30, 2018 9:41PM
    Back from a much needed break. || I like having too many projects and working on them all at once.

    Tank Enthusiast || CP: 445 || Stormproof

    Tanks
    Karsaak gro-Ursa: DC || Orc || Stamina Dragonknight || Tank || Level: CP 445
    Sir Leopold Stotch: DC || Breton || Magicka Templar || Tank || Level: 445
    Protects-Squishy-Ones: EP || Argonian || Magicka Sorcerer || Tank/CC || Level: CP 445
    Björn Shadow-Walker: EP || Nord || Stamina Nightblade || Tank || Level: 15
    Tiberius Valerion: AD || Imperial || Stamina Warden || Tank || Level: 15

    Damage Dealers
    Morrigan Ravyn-Cloak: AD || Altmer || Magicka Nightblade || DPS || Level: CP 445
    Ra'Zahkara: AD || Khajiit || Stamina Dragonknight || DPS || Level: CP 445
    Ezra al-Khazir: DC || Redguard || Stamina Templar || DPS || Level: 40
    Erryndril Telvaux: EP || Dunmer || Magicka Dragonknight || DPS || Level: 25
    Uzara gra-Khalari: DC || Orc || Stamina Nightblade || DPS [2H/DW] || Level: 15
    Solomon Motierre: DC || Breton || Magicka Sorcerer || DPS || Level: 20
    Ragnar the Wulf: EP || Nord || Stamina Warden || DPS || Level: 30
    Ra'Rahku: AD || Khajiit || Stamina Nightblade || DPS [Bow/Bow] || Level: 15

    Healers
    Sees-through-Hist: EP || Argonian || Magicka Warden || Healer/CC || CP 445
    Daedalus the Artificer: AD || Altmer || Magicka Templar || Healer || Level: 15
  • idk
    idk
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    Here is a build for you.

    https://alcasthq.com/eso-stamina-sorcerer-2h-build-pve/

    For PvE most theorycrafted and proven builds tend to be DW. It seems they outperform 2H a little, but 2H is fine.
  • SugaComa
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    Truth is if you want carbon copy builds go stamina and just put on DW and Bow

    If you want something different go magik you will use a few destro abilities but you will use more class abilities making each build more unique
  • Iziquiel
    Iziquiel
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    I'm leveling a 2H/Bow StamSorc at present and it's fun, a bit clunky with Wrecking Blow as my spammable but Elemental Weapon (Psijic skill) should solve that (my plan for the next few days).

    With Sorc I have good solo survivability with Crit Surge, Dark Deal, Hurricane, a shield from Brawler, I believe a Psijic passive should give me another shield when I block as well..

    I like it!
  • kichwas
    kichwas
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    Anyone have any thoughts on a 2H/-something DPS Warden? 2H/Bow or even 2H/DW?

    I notice all of the posters thus far reference Sorcerer, and I see that Sorcerer has a passive boosting physical damage. But I'm wondering what other classes in a 2H setup might be able to bring.

    Jah bless
    PST timezone - mostly PvE player.

    Super casual player
    Seeking a casual 'lets do some dungeons and world stuff together' guild.
  • Strider__Roshin
    Strider__Roshin
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    They're pretty bad in PvE. They were so close to being competitive this update but then ZOS nerfed their light attack damage. So... Not much has changed.
  • RavenSworn
    RavenSworn
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    Automaton + hundings rage with pretty much any other class aside from sorc.
    Ingame: RavenSworn, Pc / NA.


    Of Wolf and Raven
    Solo / Casual guild for beginners and new players wanting to join the game. Pst me for invite!
  • exiars10
    exiars10
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    Actually 2H/bow builds are relatively played compared to archer (bow/bow) builds as least from my experience from group dungeons.
    kichwas wrote: »
    Anyone have any thoughts on a 2H/-something DPS Warden? 2H/Bow or even 2H/DW?

    I notice all of the posters thus far reference Sorcerer, and I see that Sorcerer has a passive boosting physical damage. But I'm wondering what other classes in a 2H setup might be able to bring.
    You can do very high damage on Nightblade as it has class spammable. There is a guide on forum for DB patch, I doubt much changed abilities wise for Summerset:
    https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/399131/solo-38k-execution-machine-stamina-nightbalde-2h-pve-build-dragon-bones
    Edited by exiars10 on June 2, 2018 12:29PM
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