Two Handed vs One Handed + Shield?

[Nitrous999]

<DIV>Just wondering which is better I have read that for soloing the shield and one handed weapon is better. But for grping the two handed is better. Can anyone clarify this or atleast tell me what they use? </DIV>

[GilfalasElaandrin]

<DIV>There is not 100% better option. It is totally situational.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If your the main tank or getting hit, the boost to defense from a weapon and shield are definatelty the way to go.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If your not the main tank or not getting hit the boost in damage from a two hander is definately the way to go.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In very rare situations you may get a one handed weapon that is SO good that you can use it all the time because it's damage so close to that of a two hander. But as I said that is rare.</DIV>

[Walnu]

I use Ghoulbane and Guard of Grumm.  But plan on getting a Bone Bladed Claymore (2hander) eventually.  It's really just up to what you have available to you.  I used a 2hander until about lvl 25.  Shields will certainly help you tank by increasing your stats but its not that big a difference.  I don't buy into the whole I take less ripostes because I swing less with my 2hander.  I know this was the case in EQ1...but I just don't think it's the same here.  So I would say...go with what you have available.  If you can't afford a shield and a 1hander, just get a 2hander.  Then when you get in your 30's quest a Ghoulbane and buy a decent shield.   In your 40's BBC or Shiny Brass Shield and a 1hander.  Hope that answers your question. <div></div>

[Nitrous999]

yeh thanks guys. I have a two handed claymore at the moment but am also arrying a one handed and a shield so i can switch between both wherever I am thought that was the best solution.

[Araknar]

<DIV>i got my EBBC and it rocks, im currently using it for everything and doing it better than ever before, stuff dies a lot faster and i dont seem to take much dmg probably due to the huge stats on the sword. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>That said i will still be getting SBShield (if i can ever find a way to get 6th trial done due to that stupid bit of code that says u need 4ppl and if 1 of those 4 ppl are on a lower trial u all automitcally go there even if its meant to b a solo instance!) and then a good 1hand blunt for those mobs there are immune to slashing making me reluctently not use my favorite toy.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Steelle</DIV>

[Harovan]

I keep either a 1HB and a 2HS or a 1HS and a 2HB in my inventory (to keep both skills trained) and switch weapons depending on what fits best I will use the one-hander with shield, when... - I am MT in an experience group in order to save healer's power and for the hate the shield bash generates - I am soloing blue or higher solo-mobs or green++ groupmobs I will use the two-hander, when... - I am MT in a quest group slaughtering greens and greys in numbers - I am in a group in support-mode (Grant+Aegis on MT) - I am soloing green or lower solo-mobs for quests/language totems/chestfarming/whatever There was one occasion when I made an exception from the rule above. Back in my 30's I needed Varsoon the Undying for Manastone and all with CoI access I could muster, were two templars and a mystic. I decided, with three healers exclusively attached to me it is unlikely, that I die or the healers run out of power, so in order to get some more DPS I took the big bad two-handed flail out of my backpack. <div></div>

[GilfalasElaandrin]

<DIV>Think Harovan summed it up perfectly.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>/salute</DIV>

[apasserby]

IMHO..make sure all wep skills are trained.There will come a day when a weapon you have not skilled up appears,and you could really use.As far as topic goes..1hnd and shield=take lower damage,deal less damage..2hnd=take more damage,deal more damage.Being a soloer,lvl 44 atm,my approach is..beat em death fast as possible,in a pinch use damage shield,rot em away for a bit,then beat em to death.Personally I tried very good 1hnd and shield combo,took too long to kill as a soloer,but could see the advantage of being main tank,holding agro with same.I just got a weapon called Sandblasted maul,look it up if you wanna see a mindboggling 2h crush..anyway..skill every weapon type avail to you,you wont be sorry.Tried to look up wep,not listed yet..so..Sandblasted MaulFabled12int,10agi,11str,12wis68health,68power2 handedDamage rating 55.1Your Damage 61-183 72-216 lvl 50Delay 2.4 secondsGreat HammerBy the time I finish my 7 spells on initial attack,most mobs are down to 20 to 40%<p>Message Edited by apasserby on <span class=date_text>04-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:05 PM</span>

[Ansi]

<DIV><FONT size=2>Honestly, past 47, except on named mobs (or raid mobs if you tank them), a shield is quite negligable. This is even more evident once you start getting geared up in ebon. Of course at the lower levels, sword and board is the way to go, but beyond that, the difference is not worth mentioning.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><BR>As has been mentioned though, in rare cases there are some weapons that near match the damage output of decent 2hs/2hb's which really encourage whipping out the shield. Really, post 47, I think it is more a matter of weapon quality.</FONT></DIV>