Help...Need your opinion

[Xrazor]

<p>I have a level 52 zerker and want your opinion on what typw of weapon to use (dual wield, one hand or two handed)</p><p>I mostly solo and like killing mobs.</p><p> And why would dual wield be any good, the weapons ony hit for less than a one hander...so how do you benefit?</p><p>Thank you in advance</p>

[Jrral]

Well, as a general observation on weapons: Dual-wield weapons hit for less damage per hit, but you hit twice as often. This gives you a slight edge in damage output. You can also wield 2 types of weapon, which gives you more flexibility going up against mobs that're especially vulnerable to a particular type of damage. 1-handers hit moderately hard, and many classes can equip a shield at the same time. You trade slightly less damage than with a DW for additional defense from the shield. Some classes also get attacks that can only be used when using a shield. 2-handers hit very hard, but they're a lot slower than 1H  and you sacrifice the shield completely. You can do heavy spike damage, but over the long haul damage output is lower and you're more vulnerable to mob attacks. I generally go for sword-and-board or the equivalent when tanking, a 1H weapon and the heaviest shield I can use. That gives me decent damage and the maximum amount of protection. It also makes a good combination for soloing, since you're effectively tanking all the time.  DW and 2H are, IMO, more suited to off-tanking in a group or substituting for a DPS class. There it really comes down to what works for you and the character: dishing out a steady stream of damage, or landing the one big hit that knocks the mob out of the fight for good. Then there's the buckler line. That's a whole argument in and of itself, but from what I've seen if you've got your AA points thrown into that line the extra damage can make up for the loss in defense from the lighter shield. I wouldn't use it tanking, but soloing or as off-tank it should work well.

[Xrazor]

Jrral@Unrest wrote: <blockquote>Well, as a general observation on weapons: Dual-wield weapons hit for less damage per hit, but you hit twice as often. This gives you a slight edge in damage output. You can also wield 2 types of weapon, which gives you more flexibility going up against mobs that're especially vulnerable to a particular type of damage. 1-handers hit moderately hard, and many classes can equip a shield at the same time. You trade slightly less damage than with a DW for additional defense from the shield. Some classes also get attacks that can only be used when using a shield. 2-handers hit very hard, but they're a lot slower than 1H  and you sacrifice the shield completely. You can do heavy spike damage, but over the long haul damage output is lower and you're more vulnerable to mob attacks. I generally go for sword-and-board or the equivalent when tanking, a 1H weapon and the heaviest shield I can use. That gives me decent damage and the maximum amount of protection. It also makes a good combination for soloing, since you're effectively tanking all the time.  DW and 2H are, IMO, more suited to off-tanking in a group or substituting for a DPS class. There it really comes down to what works for you and the character: dishing out a steady stream of damage, or landing the one big hit that knocks the mob out of the fight for good. Then there's the buckler line. That's a whole argument in and of itself, but from what I've seen if you've got your AA points thrown into that line the extra damage can make up for the loss in defense from the lighter shield. I wouldn't use it tanking, but soloing or as off-tank it should work well. </blockquote>Thank you....nice reply, It helps alot....think I will go with the sword and board.