2Hand Sword Builds?

[LFk]

As a fighter, i think its extremely necessary to keep all three types of weapons. I'm going to pull in a few numbers i ran on Outspark Forums a while ago to see if it helps you.



I ran the calcs again, trying to take into account strength as well in a very exaggerated fashion:At Level 36:
138 Base Str, which is straight from my level 36 warrior.

IF we assume this is a full STR warrior (not a smart move, but for the sake of calcs): +36 Str = 174 Str * 1.2dmg = 208.8


Bri. Sword 45-78 (61.5 avg) + 208.8STR = 270.3/1.1sec = 245.7 DPS
Crusader 108-154 (131 avg) + 208.8STR = 339.8/1.3sec = 261.4 DPS
Hide Axe 170-235 (202.5 avg) + 208.8 STR = 411.3/1.5sec = 274.2 DPS

The AIM disparity is still about 10-15, which is not big. I disregarded the crits, as i figured the 1% difference in base makes only a small change, making the axe look a tiny bit better and 1HS a bit worse. These numbers should generally hold true for the 30s range of levels.

Denns has a point: these numbers look much, much closer. With some reasonable damage buffs (vitality, + STR items), its possible for 2HS to outdamage the Axe in the 3x level range, though i would say its not common (keep in mind that fighters are rarely full STR). At 4x, if the ratios stay the same for damage, the 2HS will begin to overtake the axe in terms of raw swinging DPS.

However, there are several things to consider: Skills have 0 lagtime. Which means in terms of PvP, where most of the attacks are a burst of skills, Axes hold a much greater advantage. In addition, SPR warrior builds will better utilize the axe due to the higher base damage used in the critical multiplier. From this, i can try to draw several conclusions:

- the Sword/Shield fighter is the better tanker hands down, this discussion is mostly between 2HS vs. Axe. Note, though, that the power hit is slightly more powerful than Slice and Dice.
- the Axe seems to dish out more damage in the 20-40 range of levels.
- the 2HS will do more damage over time 40+ due to quicker attack speed, and increased influence of Str.
- Str builds favor faster attack speeds, because it diminishes the impact of a weapon's base damage.
- Axes are capable of dealing out far more damage in a short burst of time vs. the 2HS, due to the usage of skill bursts.


So my recommendations:
- If you want to primarily function as a tank, use a shield. Period.
- For a typical 1:1 STR:END fighter, switching to a 2HS in the 30s or 40s will deal out more damage.
- For a 1:1 END:SPR fighter, the axe will be better through the 30s and 40s due to less STR influence and greater crit utilization.
- For PvP, axes will be better period. Damage over time is less significant compared to how much damage you can deal in a very condensed amount of time.


These findings actually sort of change my mind on how to work things when i hit the 40 range. I may heavily consider changing to a 2HS, holding an axe for PvP.
Something important to keep in mind, though, is that this game only loosely holds you to one type of weapon. Masteries in themselves are actually relatively weak in effect, and you should feel free to switch weapons to suit your condition. I believe that even every DPS fighter should pack a sword/shield of the appropriate level range to tank should the situation call for it. Likewise, it would seem wise now to pack a decent axe for PvP, and utilize a 2HS for grinding. This is moot, of course, if your 2HS is +6 and your axe is +1, or vice versa.

[LFk]

Now the calculations are actually erroneous on a few accounts (these were made when i understood much less about the game), but still do not fail to show the general trend of damages.

What im just trying to show, is that the Axe is almost always hands down the better weapon from levels 20-early 30s. There are very, very few scenarios where the SteelSword/Crusader can outdamage a SteelAxe/HideAxe of equal quality, which would involve not using ANY skills, a full STR build, and other really bad ideas. In the calcs i noted it was up to about 40, but take that with a grain of salt. Your base damage does not seem to be a perfect function of STR*1.2+weapon(min,max), thus it starts to get a bit hazy around the late 30s.

However, the 2HS starts to shine 40+, where your base strength plays a larger role in your damage than your weapon does. If you're set on using a 2HS, i assume you are not really trying to tank too much.

I would recommend adding your SPR up to +25, and then moving full END. At the moment, STR's effect is too weak in the lategame to really matter for anything. 1.2 damage / point does almost nothing when your base damage flirts with 1000.

Your ideal build around level 60 (or 59 for now) would be 25 SPR, 35 END. Dex is a stat you might want to seek in your equipment, but not use your free points on. There IS a difference, as you should note that Equipment that adds +SPR does NOT raise your crit rate, while Free Stat SPR does. This also applies to equipment END and block rates. Thus, SPR is somewhat less desirable on equipment, but useful nonetheless.

[rokaraged]

Kinda confused by LFK's arguments a bit but they all seem pretty sound.

Although could you go into further of how a 2handed sword can out DPS an axe?
I know if we talk aim wise the sword as much more consistent damage.

Your argument states that with full buffs and vitality and Full str a 2handed swordsman can out damage an axe fighter, but shouldn't the axe fighter have the same buffs and probably the same stats?
I'm a bit stupid in math to compute this out.

Btw: Ky Jelly, i was saying i meant 2handed were better in comparison to axes in pve. Shield is always the best grinding setup..

[KY_Jelly]

oh i know. but right now i'm mostly party tanking, so i just stick with 1h and shield. when i want to solo, i quick switch back and forth between the two. I hit the mob with slice and dice, switch to axe and use fatal slash, bone slicer, and power hit, then switch back to 1h and shield and use bone slicer one more time. most mobs my level are only a couple of hits away by then.

As most people in here have stated, the axe really shines when you are spamming skills as there is no delay in that. When i am solo grinding that is what i use my axe for, and use my 1h and shield for the rest of the fight. If i am trying to lay out pure DPS, i still stick to my axe as it is out DPSing my 2h sword (which is in concurrance with LFK's figures)

however, according to him, around level 40, i'll be using my 2hsword for pve grinding as it will out dps the axe.

and this makes sense why jeneatbelmont uses a 2h sword. i always thought it odd she didn't have an axe. but at her level, the 2h sword out dps's the axe.

[rokaraged]

and this makes sense why jeneatbelmont uses a 2h sword. i always thought it odd she didn't have an axe. but at her level, the 2h sword out dps's the axe.

Thats what i want to see proof of. Just because some lvl 50 people use a sword DOESN'T mean they'll use it for pvp OR they think it outdamages the axe.

All i want to see though is the mathmatical proof that the axe will out DPS the sword in Pve.

[KY_Jelly]

I'll try to crunch some numbers today when i get on my main and i have a chance to look at all the different numbers.

[Yangster]

Wow... i didn't expect this many replies... thanks guys! I want to mainly focus on 2 handers so i guess the 25 SPR and the rest to END is my best bet?

and i'm still a total noob