Leveling as a Melee Warden

[Creat]

Should I be using a 2H or 1H/Shield? So far to 22 I have been using 2Hers and love it. I can kill quickly and even handle multiple adds. But for PvP at this level when there is more then 1 opponent I can see how a shield would help with defenses. Should I carry both and use the 2H for 1v1 and leveling then switch to the 1H/Shield for tougher opponents or 1v2..?

[Oakum]

<p>I don't pvp but would say that if you want to use the two handed hammer/staff. get a one handed sword and a shield, having the sword when you cast shapeshift gives you the tigers bite proc and if you use the DoF aa line you can get the haste proc. </p><p>Then you put an icon on your hotbar to equip your two handed weapon and have a macro to equip your sword and shield also by the 2handed equip icon. This will allow you to use the sword for the haste attack or if being attacked by enough mobs/pvpers that you need the extra blocking/defense. Once you cast your haste attack you can put your two handed weapon on and take advantage of the haste if you don't need  your shield. This will increase the amount of the damage you do of course. </p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>What Oakum says plus:  at your level, bucklers and 1H's are pretty much for stats - which shouldn't be ignored either.  A good 2H can do some nice damage, but at the expense of a bit of protection...so you kind of have to do the risk/gain assessment for that.</p><p>The best accessory for a Warden as far as DPS is concerned that I have found ...roll with an Assassin/Swash or a Necro/Conjuror.  Monk/Bruiser and Berserkers are good duoing partners too.    Solo PvP just isn't my idea of fun - I don't like duels, either.   Nothing sillier than that.</p><p>(my sig doesn't reflect it..but I have 70 Dreadnaught Warden and Defiler on Venekor..as well as 70 Warden and Templar on AB. I'm ..um..retired, though.)</p>

[Skivley101]

<p>Arielle wrote:</p><p>(my sig doesn't reflect it..but I have 70 Dreadnaught Warden and Defiler on Venekor..as well as 70 Warden and Templar on AB. I'm ..um..retired, though.)</p><p>__________________________________________________ _______________________________________</p><p>Retired!?!  How much are you getting on your pension plan? ... and forgive me for this pvp newbie question, But whats a Dreadnaught?</p><p>__________________________________________________ _______________________________________</p><p>To the OP ... Where a two hander really shines for dmg is if you get the 75% mele crits and it has a large dmg spread (most 2h do i think) heres a good thread that explains it. </p><p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=353709" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=353709</a></p><p>But the 1 hander with buckler will always have its uses ...or even a 1H with something else for the stats.</p><p>Like Oakum says its a good idea to drag items from inventory to hot bar for quick changes to suit the situation.</p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>Retired...stopped playing because of all the miracle using, lag hacking, no-skill players - which was a decided departure from how much incredible fun it was when it started, and we were all duking it out using what we knew of our classes, starting from scratch.  Those were the days! /tear.</p><p>The pension plan is pretty good <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   And Dreadnaught is part of the title system:  Hunter, Slayer, Destroyer, Champion, Dreadnaught..um..General something, something...Princess etc.   Which is why seeing Champion and Slayer as AA titles is kind of, well, dumb.   </p><p>Dreadnaught means a few kills under my belt, and not too many deaths.   Not as good as some, but I did enjoy it while it lasted <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>P.S.  The Crit calculations post Skively mentioned was created by one of the best Swashes I have ever seen...ever.   I don't like admitting to a personal nemesii, but if I had to - Leanan was always the one that scared me most.   If you need info, that person knows what they are doing, and that's a most informative post.</p>

[Oneira]

I took my Pref-EOF warden out of mothballs and did the melee respec too.  It's fun but i'm really having a hard time finding any decent +str +wis gear.  Other than a few select fabled pieces (i'm 63 atm, so it'll be a while before I see any raid stuff), it's just not there.  That puts my STR using potions of fortitude at a whopping 250.  Any suggestions on where a 64 Warden can find non-fabled, non-raid armor for the melee spec would be most welcome. 

[Kri]

<cite>Oneira wrote:</cite><blockquote>I took my Pref-EOF warden out of mothballs and did the melee respec too.  It's fun but i'm really having a hard time finding any decent +str +wis gear.  Other than a few select fabled pieces (i'm 63 atm, so it'll be a while before I see any raid stuff), it's just not there.  That puts my STR using potions of fortitude at a whopping 250.  Any suggestions on where a 64 Warden can find non-fabled, non-raid armor for the melee spec would be most welcome.  </blockquote><p>My Warden wears mostly Mastercrafted. By combining Woven and Dexterous you won't kill your WIS while still getting your STR up. I've found a couple of STR/WIS pieces on the broker. </p><p>Edit: Zorv's Wristguards (wrists) and Belt of the Cavalier (waist) both have +20 STR/+20 WIS</p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

Lots of gear meant for Crusaders (Pally/SK) and LOTS Of stuff that reads "Monk Only"  are, sadly, REALLY nice for Wardens nowadays.

[Kri]

Arielle Nightshade wrote: <blockquote>Lots of gear meant for Crusaders (Pally/SK) and LOTS Of stuff that reads "Monk Only"  are, sadly, REALLY nice for Wardens nowadays.</blockquote>I agree. Just changing a bunch of items to be useable by Wardens too (like the Pride's Edge *grumbles*) would be a great improvement.

[Grayspirit]

<p>Should come back Arielle, the water's fine. Miracles are gimped and those that are used are literally a fraction of what they are to the point that people rarely use them (as it should of always been).</p><p>The Euro servers merged with Venekor so the poplulation is high and around the clock I've heard. Zergers were rare, except from Pie which wouldnt affect you anyways. You know you're tired of fighting the same scripted fight in every zone with no chance of unpredicatbility, no chance of excitement. Your boys are tired of Vanguard I'm sure and I've heard people are jumping ship but who knows--they're just rumors. Remember those 5-10 minute long group vs group fights? Lets say they've dropped from Legendary to common.</p>