Solo leveling - 2h or 1h/shield?

[spurlock]

<p>I just started EQ2 5 days ago so i'm still trying to figure things out.  I'm currently level 34 with 44 AA's.  Up until now i have been completely solo and been using a 2h with no problems.  However, i've seen some posts that suggest 1h/shield is better for solo leveling.  Having tried it, i can certainly live longer, but kill much more slowly.  And i'm usually pulling 3-5 mobs at a time depending on level/type.  Am i doing something wrong or is 2h better for solo leveling?  Or am i supposed to be pulling 10+ mobs with 1h/shield?  Bear in mind i have no MC equipment, just quest gear, and very few skills upgraded to Adept.  Thanks in advance.</p><p>P.S. Does the delay on the 2h weapon matter much or does it just allow me to squeeze in more skills between auto-attacks?</p>

[Nightshade]

<p>I would imagine it would be prudent to have both hotkeyed to switch as necessary. For high damage/low armor opponents do sword and shield and for the low damage opponents or those pesky casters use a 2-hander.</p>

[DwarvesR]

<p>You're noticing a difference in time to kill using a 2H vs sword-n-board?  I never did, so I'm impressed with your judgement of time.</p><p>That said:</p><ul><li>You get an extra attack when you use a shield.</li><li>You get better stats and possibilities for more procs (especially if you adorn) by using 2 different items.  I love me some barbed guard adornments on my shields. . . .</li><li>In the Shadows AA line you can boost your 1H damage by 25%, but not your 2H at all, though minimum 120 aa's are needed for this, so it's a way off yet.</li><li>Later AA's also proc off blocks... can't block without a shield.  But again, this is a ways off (min 170 aa's).</li></ul><p>So.... for now if the 2H is working for you, then by all means use it.  Once you have 125 AA's though, it's been confirmed that dps is higher with sword-n-board than with 2H, so you'll probably want to make the switch then.</p>

[spurlock]

<p>Thanks for the info!  I was just surprised since if you kill things as fast with a 1h/shield then why would you EVER use a 2h? </p>

[Eritius]

<p>I think only Inquisitors, Wardens, and Mystics are the two hand users. But then even they can't use two handed swords. Does seem kinda odd. I like the sword and board playstyle, though I don't like being pigeon holed into it. Hopefully somebody will get a use out of those two handed swords we see every so often.</p>

[Scillion]

<p>With the change to Slam, I am really enjoying my shiny brass halbred on my SK.</p><p>I have a hot key set up to switch between sword and board and 2 hander but lately the shield is not equipping when i do the hotswapp in combat, did they change something?</p>

[DwarvesR]

<p>It's never done a "weapon set" from hot keys without you either clicking 2 hotkeys (1 for sword, 1 for board) or if you set up an equipping macro.</p>

[Scillion]

<p>I think i have it macro set i will verify it tonight, Thank you for the update.</p>

[Brantkl]

<p>/equip item..then drag the item you want equiped to the line below it.</p>

[Rahatmattata]

<p>This thread is pretty much completely wrong for leveling up. IDK what the selection of 2 handers are like at level 90, but while leveling up generally a 2 hander will do more dps than shield + knight's stance. For example, a feysteel claymore does considerably more damage than a feysteel longword + knight's stance. The only time I use a shield when soloing is when I pull too many heroics and feign death is down.</p>

[Scillion]

<p>Macro is correct, what is wrong is that i have to wait 2 seconds while in combat to get the shield equipped.</p><p>I do prefer 2 hand over sword and board but when i pull too many that shield really comes in handy.</p>

[Scillion]

<p>With the change to slam, the 2 handers are significantly more dps than a sword and board, hell, i am currently tanking for our group using a 2 hander unless the pull is a named then i pull out the shield.</p><p>But with a ranger and defiler we go through mobs pretty quickly.</p>

[Alazarz]

<p>a lower lvl 2 hander would be beast for lvling up if you could find one with a long delay. 6.0 or higher. At 90 an sk can do serious work with a two hander..</p><p> If the mobs are squishy and your not worried about getting pwned use  atwo hander, if the mobs are hitting you hard use sword and board..</p><p>and for pvp/BG...</p><p>Basically depends on who / what your fighting.. i have a macro for switching between sword and board and a 2Hander.. for instance.. your fighting a mage you would obviously go with the two hander (since block chance dosent even come into play really)</p><p>Your fighting a (good) kiting ranger that hits hard you want sword and board + D stance... unless its a totally scrub ranger..</p>

[Rahatmattata]

<p>In BG I only use a shield when I have the relic, running into enemy base to grab flag, or tanking a lot of people in den. Everything else is 2h.</p>