IS the SK class forced into using 2 handers?

[Mardane]

<DIV>Now I haven't played my SK past 23 so forgive me if Ive got the wrong impression but with Power Cleave ( 2 handed use only) and its upgrade ability every so many levels it feels like 2 handed is the only way to go. Don't get me wrong I love using a 2 hander but theres times I've thought about going sword and board but to me at this stage it just doesnt seem i'd be maximizing my damage doing that and I dont see that we have a good regular one handed attack that does comparable damage. I don't mind a longer fight doing less damage if the shield really protects that well. If sword and board is a good viable way what attack do you SK's use in place of power cleave and its upgrades. Thanks in advance for any insight you might have.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[PaqMan]

Hello. I am one of those who basically allways fight with a sword/shield. I know 2 hander hits harder but I found that its not that big of a difference as I hit more times with a one hand sword. I'm not into min/maxing so shield/sword feels more comfortable for me(and looks better to). The shield/sword adds more to your stats(Havent found a 2 hander that adds stats like shield+sword). Often when I fight I hide behind my shield and when I can I use Demonstration of faith/Infernal Pact and can while those wards last throw in a few faithful swings,  which heals me a little bit each hit. To be able to use the shield skills to bash together with charge(bash not requiring shield) I can keep the mob on the ground quite alot. I also like to fight several mobs so a shields block chance helps me save some hp until last mob is dead .) There's probably many more ways to effectively fight but above is one way I found quite fun. Still a bit of a newbie with my 27 levels there's probably alot more to discover in effective killing .)

[xolthar]

<FONT color=#ff66cc></FONT><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mardane wrote:<BR> <DIV>Now I haven't played my SK past 23 so forgive me if Ive got the wrong impression but with Power Cleave ( 2 handed use only) and its upgrade ability every so many levels it feels like 2 handed is the only way to go. Don't get me wrong I love using a 2 hander but theres times I've thought about going sword and board but to me at this stage it just doesnt seem i'd be maximizing my damage doing that and I dont see that we have a good regular one handed attack that does comparable damage. I don't mind a longer fight doing less damage if the shield really protects that well. If sword and board is a good viable way what attack do you SK's use in place of power cleave and its upgrades. Thanks in advance for any insight you might have.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>Hi I'm only a 29 SK and use a 1H axe and shield buckler atm exclusively. The reason I use 1H weapon and shield is the groups Iv'e been in so far I have been the main tank and my job is to hold aggro while the group kills. The more damage I can absorb the easier it is for the cleric to heal me so it's less aggro generating for them.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>Having said that I should reach 30 this weekend coming and I have a new 1H axe and 2H claymore in my inventory. There has been a few occassions where I have not been the main tank, when this happens thats when it's time to beak out the 2H weapon and just bash on the mobs.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ff66cc>So my suggestion would be use 1H and shield when you are mt and need defense, use 2H weapon when you're assisting the main tank. :smileywink:</FONT><BR></P>

[The_Witchfind]

<DIV>Two-handers and one-hander/shield remain viable for Shadowknights throughout the game.  If you're acting as main tank for a group, then undoubtedly you will need a shield, particularly against tough single opponents (ie: ones who will be hitting you for over 700 damage).  The two-hander comes into play when fighting against large groups of weaker monsters.  Our AOE attacks and crippling damage output let us take on huge swarms pretty much single handed.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So the lesson is:  Keep your skills up with both, you'll be needing them!</DIV>

[pyroglyph]

<P>Yes, you will fully realize the power of 2H when you bust off Sorrow, Cruel Intent, Doom Judgment, and Swarming Spirits consecutively versus a multi-mob encounter. By the time you run them all grey, Sorrow has repopped again, if anything is still left standing. And it only gets better from there.</P> <P>There are still always situations where you want to run a shield though. A good SK will know when to use each setup for the most effectiveness.</P>

[Hooster]

<P>Lvl 40 SK here....</P> <P>Each has it's place.  I have started roaming the Feerrott, and find many, many grouped mobs.  I have used the best sheild and one-hander, and compaired my life and mana at the end of each fight vs. a great 2-hander.  Even with the additional stats and 600+ AC from Grumms shield, I finish the fight with more mana/health with my 2-hander.  The 3 group spells that do between 100-200 points of damage per cast on each of 4-6 mobs really adds up.  It often gets hairy as all the mobs whomp on you until they start going down.  By then, the AOE spells have taken down the remaining mobs to about half their hit points, and you can finish off the group quickly.</P> <P>Groups when you are the main tank, especially against single or few mobs, the sword (or club)and board make the group more efficient.  </P> <P>2-hand only??? Depends on the encounter and the group, but don't limit yourself!  Keep both maxed out.  </P>

[Braell]

<DIV>About wards - since it blocks the damage and use any mitigation, it absorbs the same amount on any weapon configuration, but the shield will add a tiny bit of avoidance so you might get hit less hence keeping the ward up etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Personally i think the ward works wonderfull with a 2-handed weapon for those reasons.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And the information on Power cleave and upgrades are solid to - i think Power cleave was supposed to have a single target dot added in and they forgot, but never mind heh, Sorrow "was" for me the skill that bridged a huge damgage gap for me personally, it's a lovely skill, refreshes right before the dot wears off from what i remember, or so close to it.. lovely skill.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And shields are great for when you want that extra beefyness for large fights or tough opponents, my Berserker tanks better than my Shadowknight, Monks tank better than him if he uses a 2-handed weapon, throw on a shield and it's the other way around, Shields do make a difference and well worth useing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On a side note - our shield skills are better than Guardian/Berserker shield skills, just wish they had a faster refresh time, since you cant use power cleave/sorrow etc, that spell get's dusted off.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, like what everyone else say's, use both - both have different roles.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Braellar</DIV>

[Shoplift]

<DIV>At level 46, when tanking against encounters of more than 2 mobs, I always use 2handers. My healer and I have been grouping together since we started, and he's a very experienced healer from EQ1 as well, he makes sure I stay up. Even with a shield, I've noticed that I only gain around 5% to my avoidance (using zarn's deadly aura to buff my shield skill), and a rather sizable loss to my attack rating. I've found that the extra damage helps me to keep aggro, and I'm often finishing above scouts and even mages as far as DPS, usually somewhere between 120-150, though I think my all time high w/o HT was around 200dps. Throwing my big AEs out right at the start of a fight oftentimes kills half of the mobs in a group before the mages can fire a 2nd or third spell. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If I find that against high end mobs that they're hitting me harder than I'd like, I'll switch it up and equip my SBS, but usually it's not a problem for me to use the 2h exclusively at this point.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Against Yellow single ^ pairs, I typically use 1h until we get a feel for how hard they'll hit, then I may switch, and of course against even or better named mobs I use sword and board.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When soloing, I'm much more apt to use 1h+shield since I don't have heal backup.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Shoplifter on <span class=date_text>05-11-2005</span> <span class=time_text>01:15 PM</span>

[vTenebr]

<div></div>We're not, at all, forced into 2 handers.  They're just nice boosts to the damage when you DO use 2 handers.  Remember, you have abilities that require a shield, do you feel forced into using a shield? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> At level 50, I find that I use a 1 hander less and less.  I keep 3 sets of weapons available, depending on what I'm doing.  I have a 2h crush weapon, 2h slash (Prismatic), and a sword/shield for those occasions where I'm off tank or when I go into single group instances.  It all depends on where you are, what mob you face (as some have immunities to certain weapon types), and whether or not you're there as DPS or as a meat shield. As someone else stated, keep up your skills.. and get used to swapping weapons later in life.  You'll be doing it a lot <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div><p>Message Edited by vTenebrae on <span class=date_text>05-12-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:39 AM</span>

[Bron]

Basically to just echo what everyone else said, you should carry around both a 1-hander/shield and a 2-hander and switch them out according to situation.  As to your concern of the difference in "feel" between the two, I can see where you're coming from, as I've always been a very defensive minded guy... I like to be able to avoid damage.   Even if you don't play the game to min/max, or always be the best at everything, I still think that it's a good idea to give yourself the option to improve your DPS against encounters where dying isn't really likely, and killing the mobs is taking a looooong time.  Whether it be solo, fighting with a group against lower level mobs, or even just duoing with your favorite healer who knows how to keep you up, there will always be a place for 2-handers. If your healer(s) always finish the fight with 80% power and your bar is empty because you're trying to kill the mob and it's taking too long, chances are it's good a time to switch to your 2-hander. <div></div>

[Shoplift]

<DIV>Guess I should add that against undead, I'll still pull out Ghoulbane + Kite fairly often, especially duoing the ghosts in Sol Eye, or in the temple in LS. No sense in making my Inquisitor work any harder than he needs to, and GB adding that extra 10 or so DPS via the proc lets me use the shield for that extra bit of avoidance.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Shoplifter on <span class=date_text>05-12-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:01 PM</span>