Just made lvl 20, need some advice about 1handed + shield vs duel wield combat and solo

[crobsa]

<DIV>Ok just want to get some feedback on this.  If Im soloing for XP is it better to get a good 1h + shield or better to use 2 good duel wield weapons?  What are your thoughts, comments?  Thanks so much!</DIV>

[cult]

My experience is, use dualwield. As the extra Ac from the shield might be tempting, i find the mobs dropping way faster while dualwielding. Buff yourself up, get some good drink and food, and ill think you be good <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />I did use a shield and a onehander early in my 20's, but dropped it pretty fast. Never used it again.Well, this is my experience, but, i advise you to test it out yourself, and play it the way that makes you comfortable.

[Havlen]

Go Duelwield.   Once you start getting up in levels your downtime is going to be because of your power, not your health,  for most solo fights.   If your power is down to 50% it doesn't matter if your health is at 70% or 80% because either way it will be full by the time your power comes back up.    The shield might help out a bit when trying to solo stuff that is just barely soloable but once you get fear you'll probably solo those using a healthy dose of fear so it will again become a little moot.<div></div>

[domoresayless]

/agree with the above posters 100%. The biggest bottleneck in your ability to solo as a dirge is your DPS. when soloing you lose your biggest hitting combat art (backstab line), reducing your dps a fair amount, plus you can't take hits all that well. If you want to be a successful soloer (and I solo a fair bit, could even take on level 36 solo mobs at level 29), you need to do everything in your power to drop the mob as fast as you can.in the near future, look at add luda's and claras into your soloing repertoir

[Nadain]

<DIV>Go duel weild. I use a forged carbonite falchion and a steel stiletto at 24th and get good damage out of them. Hurry up and get lanets LOL. You are gona love it. My highest magic hit is 330 and mellee hit is 153. The last one was with a glowing epee that I just replaced.</DIV>

[Colin MacLaren]

Currently Level 34 Dirge I still prefer 1h+Shield when soloing. The additional Damage from dual wielding doesn't make much diffrence, ut the additonal damage dealt do YOU will icnrease your downtime.I usually solo this way:1. Pull with Bowstyle. Switch to range combat while casting ist.2. While the mob is running towards you, cast Lanet's and switch to melee combat.3. Start the HO, Taverns, Darksong Blade4. unleash all your damage styles: Quick Strike, Thuris (Walts at lower levels), Luda's (Piercing Shriek).5. Stun with Cheap shot, turn off autoattack6. Flank the mob, use your backstab attack (Daro's or Taffo's)7. Lanet's expires, dealing a large amoutn of damage to the mob.8. If mob isn't already dead:- less than 1/3 of his health: Continue at step 3.- more than 1/3 of his health: root with Vhalens, fall back, replenish Health with Cry of the Departed, fall back further, use bow style, continue at step 3.Compared to my Templar the Dirge is an awesome soloer. Her DPS rocks.<p>Message Edited by Colin MacLaren on <span class=date_text>03-22-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:53 AM</span>

[Priestbane]

<P>For everything except caster types (my magic resistance kinda blows, and Sony keeps failing to put arcane resistance on the buff line that's supposed to have it (last time I complained they just removed the line from the spell description...), my Dirge can take it without having to kite.  Solo mobs up to first level red, all green ^^ tank mobs.  I dual wield and have very low health loss.  Between songster's luck line (using Lucky break right now) and the life taps and the parry buff (rarely used), I can take these nonstop.  I don't have to run around kiting any of them, which can be dangerous in areas where there are aggressive monsters.</P> <P> </P> <P>I dual wield, and the PGT definitely beats the tar out of a shield at my current level.  I personally *like* dual wield for the style, and will probably continue to use that even if it turns out the output is subpar.  Situationally, though, I will go sword and board... with Ghoulbane.  =)</P>

[Demothis]

I agree on the soloing sugestions here. I usually have a shield and a 1h weapon if im out on my own though. Dear god that shield makes all the diffrence in the world when you are actually getting beat on. Other wise stick to 2 weaps.