2H sword vs shield and 1H sword

[Frostbyte]

2H sword vs shield and 1H swordwhich is better, i mostly solo but sometimes duo with my fiance

[Mayl]

<p>Both..</p><p>Why would you not carry and use both</p><p>Grouped you can use sword/board, solo 2 hander</p><p>Now with that said, I use sword/board 100% of the time from a RP standpoint.  </p>

[Erithorn]

<p>I find that I definitely use my 2H Sword for solo work.. I seem to kill a lot faster. That said, I do use a Legendary 2HS as the stats are best, and fight in offensive stance! Usually do the same in duo groups as well.</p><p>For Tanking in a larger group, I normaly switch to the 1HS and a shield, and offensive stance... there are definite advantages to aggro (bash) and mitigation... and others to kill the baddie for me  <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />   I will switch to defensive stance if I find that my healer is having too much trouble keepg us alive.</p><p>WOot!</p><p>Asarum</p><p>Paladin of OAsis </p>

[Mantell]

<p>Good Healer=Tank in offensive with good 2-hander</p><p>Poor Healer=Tank in defensive with 1h and shield</p><p>No Healer=Tank in defensive with 1h and shield, chain-cast ward and heal</p><p>Solo=Pre T8-Offensive with 2hander Post T8 Offensive with 1h and shield. Solo mobs in T8 hit pretty hard.</p><p>In a group, if you're not the tank IMO there's no reason not to do 2h and offensive stance unless your 1h weapon is better.</p>

[Karlen]

<span class="postbody">>>>Grouped you can use sword/board, solo 2 hander<<<I don't group much so have almost always used a 2H.  When I got to Kylong Plains, I was getting ripped up by the mobs and went to buy a shield.  Now (level 75) I am 1H+shield in offensive mode exclusively.  I am fighting in the Jungle these days and have been considering switching back to 2H, now that I've upgraded my armor (mostly mastercrafted) and gear a bit.I've tried defensive mode but I can't hurt anything when I do that.</span>

[Frostbyte]

Solo 2H <div>group 1H and shield </div><div></div><div>what about for duo??? would that be treated like a group?</div>

[Frostbyte]

Solo 2H <div>group 1H and shield </div><div></div><div>what about for duo??? would that be treated like a group?</div><div></div><div>sorry about double post had computer issue </div>

[Mayl]

<p>Frost,</p><p>You don't need all this hand holding...    If you duo and fight mobs that a duo group should take (ie heroics of equal or higher level) then you are grouped and sword/board</p><p>If you are duo and knocking out solo quests that you would well, solo, then 2 hander.</p><p>But again as EVERYONE said, carry both..   Honestly, how hard is that to do?  Carry both and see what works.  Not like you even need to keep a 2nd weapon skill up or anything if you choose not to.</p>

[Wildmage]

My paladin is probably going to go sword and board all the way even in offensive stance to make constant use of the Hero Line AP, and even my Sk has started using shield even in solo to get used to the style before smacking into the quad hitters of RoK.

[Mantell]

<p>Carry both and make yourself a macro to switch back and forth mid-fight. </p><p>I actually have entirely different gear when I'm aiming for DPS in a group or raid than when I'm solo or tanking. </p><p>Tanking maximizes defense and mitigation to the expense of all else. Maximized STR, STA. Unfortunately my AGI always sucks.</p><p>DPS maximizes DPS of course. STR and INT as high as possible (700s with my gear) with low AGI and WIS. </p><p>Solo tries to mix both. Since T8 I use a shield but if I'm doing well I'll switch mid-fight.</p><p>I have macros that throw on everything for each setup.</p><p>As far as a duo, it depends on what your partner is. If your partner is a healer you need to be doing some DPS. If your partner is a mage or scout then you can concentrate on soaking the damage and healing. </p>

[Karlen]

Another reason that I have been resistant to putting my shield away is that I haven't seen any two-handed weapons that come close to the stat boosts you get from 1H plus shield.

[Wildmage]

<cite>Karlen@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Another reason that I have been resistant to putting my shield away is that I haven't seen any two-handed weapons that come close to the stat boosts you get from 1H plus shield.</blockquote>All the Epics are one handers except the ranger's bow.  Think about what that means, I think the developers have given up on making two handers relevant theres absolutely no class or Achievement build that supports them or makes them desirable over weapon and shield/ dual wield/ primary/symbol for any classes.

[Meirril]

<cite>Wildmage wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Karlen@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Another reason that I have been resistant to putting my shield away is that I haven't seen any two-handed weapons that come close to the stat boosts you get from 1H plus shield.</blockquote>All the Epics are one handers except the ranger's bow.  Think about what that means, I think the developers have given up on making two handers relevant theres absolutely no class or Achievement build that supports them or makes them desirable over weapon and shield/ dual wield/ primary/symbol for any classes.</blockquote><p>What would make them relevant would be either 1) superior itemization, or 2) reaction to mob tactics.</p><p>Right now, one handed weapon plus shield has a superior itemization to a single two handed weapon. You don't gain enough DPS from a two hander to off set the loss in stats/effects afforded by the other combo. The same applies to dual wield. There are a few two handers that prove exceptions to this rule, but from what I've seen they are caster items. Specifically the staff from VoES that gives +200 spell damage. </p><p>As far as mob tactics, if EQ2 goes the way of EQ1 and mobs gain massive abilities to repoise that do significant amounts of damage to all combatants then slower swinging/higher damage per hit weapons will gain in popularity. As two handed weapons tend to fall in this category, they would gain in popularity as a tactical choice.</p><p>Something fundamental would have to change to make people desire two handed weapons over one handed plus shield/symbol/weapon. </p>

[Arkinon]

Up until recent i was 2hd for solo and sword and board for group. recently I have been soloing with both depending on the mob.

[Wildmage]

<cite>Meirril wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Wildmage wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Karlen@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Another reason that I have been resistant to putting my shield away is that I haven't seen any two-handed weapons that come close to the stat boosts you get from 1H plus shield.</blockquote>All the Epics are one handers except the ranger's bow.  Think about what that means, I think the developers have given up on making two handers relevant theres absolutely no class or Achievement build that supports them or makes them desirable over weapon and shield/ dual wield/ primary/symbol for any classes.</blockquote><p>What would make them relevant would be either 1) superior itemization, or 2) reaction to mob tactics.</p><p>Right now, one handed weapon plus shield has a superior itemization to a single two handed weapon. You don't gain enough DPS from a two hander to off set the loss in stats/effects afforded by the other combo. The same applies to dual wield. There are a few two handers that prove exceptions to this rule, but from what I've seen they are caster items. Specifically the staff from VoES that gives +200 spell damage. </p><p>As far as mob tactics, if EQ2 goes the way of EQ1 and mobs gain massive abilities to repoise that do significant amounts of damage to all combatants then slower swinging/higher damage per hit weapons will gain in popularity. As two handed weapons tend to fall in this category, they would gain in popularity as a tactical choice.</p><p>Something fundamental would have to change to make people desire two handed weapons over one handed plus shield/symbol/weapon. </p></blockquote>maybe but if EQ2 goes into overpowering mobs like that then most of us casual soloers will be gone.

[Meirril]

<cite>Wildmage wrote:</cite><blockquote>maybe but if EQ2 goes into overpowering mobs like that then most of us casual soloers will be gone.</blockquote><p>EQ2 did make a fundamental change to mobs. The greatly increased the auto-attack damage in RoK. Comming from EoF with a full set of legendary gear you suddenly find that solo mobs arn't a joke. You can't take on 3 or 4 at a time like you could in KoS. When your fist starting out in RoK 2 spell death. The sword and board come out very quickly. The amount of damage you take is very visibly diminished. </p><p>Changes in mob tactics don't necessarily mean that the casual player is gone. It just means that you evolve with the mobs and compensate.</p>