Do Two Handed Weapons Suck?

Phaseshift75 · May 2014

Hi I am new to game. I would like to play either a DK or Templar and use mostly a 2Handed weapon (Preferably a Sword) but people tell me that 2H weapons suck on any class. Is this true, could people plz share with me your thoughts.
I need to know before I go level too far. Also everyone in my guild plays Templar so I assume dps DK is not good? Thnx for any help. Cheers

Sarenia · May 2014

Ignore "people". "People" are the ones who google cookie cutter builds based on what somebody recommends who was in PTS, then claims anything other than that build "sucks". In short, "people" are not the sharpest tools in the shed.

Two handed weapons work just fine on ESO. I have a lot of fun with them! I can't speak for veteran ranks, but if two-handers are currently "broken" in VR content it will get patched anyway.

My experience has been that they're ideal for magicka-based melee DPS builds. If you're going heavily into stamina, dual wielding seems ideal. But that's just my opinion, and shouldn't deter you from a stamina 2-hand build by any means.

oldkye · May 2014

Wreaking blow ---> Solarflare

> Wreaking blow ---> Solarflare

> Execute, Execute, Execute........

Sorry I was owning things whats this about two handers?

Greydog · May 2014

@Sarenia is correct, don't listen to those people. 2h swords have some good skills that mix well with both DK and Templar.

There are times with the right combo's where you can kill a mob without it ever even getting a hit in on you. Which is helpful when attacking multiple mobs

Staves I can't speak to as I'm not to crazy about them.

Sarenia · May 2014

One more thing about 2-handers...

They are long enough that you can back outside the radius of circular special attacks, and continue attacking the enemy while it's effectively defenseless.

Armitas · May 2014

I think you can succeed just fine with a 2 hander. I personally think they are quite powerful but I'm 2 ranks (V8) from really being able to show that properly. I can say that it has some incredible burst damage. Some of the skills like critical rush hit for 700, I've had executioner hit for 1k.

Stack your weapon damage (molten weapons, flawless dawnbreaker, Rally) and stack your crit and it will start to really shine.

Thesiren · May 2014

I don't know about that-- my DK Nord uses a 2H constantly and she's one of my tougher characters to kill. Of course, a lot of other things go into a build, too-- armor, weapon quality, where you put your points and what lines you take.... Not to mention how you use your skills + dodge, block, interrupt....

dolmen · May 2014

I suspect those who do not like 2H weapons are not happy with their speed of attack. 2H weapons "swing" slower than 1H weapons. ZOS spent some time on simulating combat with edged and blunt weapons. And I think did this quite well.

2H weapons swing slower but have more of an impact (damage) than 1H weapons. During the swing of the weapon you are vulnerable to attack. Your strike will do more damage though.

Each type of 2H weapon swings some what faster or slower depending on the type. The 2H hammer is the slowest, axe is faster, sword the fastest.

As with any skill in the game, learning to fight with a 2H weapon is a matter of practice and also a matter of "taste". Try 2H weapons, practice with them and decide for yourself. You may find you prefer the bow

Sarenia · May 2014

I don't mind the slower speed at all personally, though I would respectfully disagree that traditional two-handed weapons are innately slower to swing than one-handed weapons.

A real greatsword for example is not anywhere near as heavy and cumbersome as Hollywood and the game industry portrays them.

One of the greatest advantages of greatswords in particular was their length, moreso than anything else. For example, a formation of spearman would be hesitant to face another formation of spearman. By including some men with greatswords, the blades could be used to (relatively) safely hack the tips off of enemy spears, leaving them vulnerable.

Another example is "great axes", which were dependent on speed and dexterity as much as brute strength. Barring the presence of ranged weaponry, they could be kept in constant, circular movement, to keep their momentum going and stave off attackers -- anybody closing into melee range was at risk of losing their head. While they're capable of overhead, mutilating chopping attacks they could hardly be called cumbersome by nature.

The gist being that the speed of two-handed weapons in gaming is a balance mechanic, and hardly representative of the authentic weaponry upon which it's based.

FrauPerchta · May 2014

2H (sword) Sorcerer in a can is all but unstoppable if played well.

SirPuppingtonVonHat · May 2014

People hate on two handed weapons because:
-Slow attack speed.
-Counts as one item slot for set bonus purposes (not as bad as some think).
-Uses passive skills to catch up to Dual Wield.
-May not scale well into VR.
-No high-damage stamina dumps.

However, two handers have the potential for absolutely massive hits and have some of the best ultimate generation in the game.

Personally, I think that the two handed skill line could use some love. But it is a lot of fun to play, and has some solid foundational mechanics.

Phaseshift75 · May 2014

Thnx everyone for your answers