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#230971 11/05/04 03:34 PM
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ariana Offline OP
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Not surprisingly (it is a tribute to the diversity of the game) I've seen recommendations to go two handed for extra damage, and other people saying they removed this skill to learn 1H with shield because the defense was so much better.

Obviously there is the other question of whether to go slash, crush or pierce. Most weapons are randomly generated, but some are fixed - I've gotten some really nice 1H hammers early on and somehow <smile> sharpening a hammer is as good as sharpening a sword.

To add to the issue, it is not at all impossible that one template works better in chapter one and a different one is best later in the game.

I've replayed chapter one half a dozen times and have no definitive opinion. So I'll start another thread and ask for the current state of the art - what are your opinions about the best weapons to learn skills for, and does this change (other than through random luck of getting a particularly great weapon) after chapter 1.

My own thinking is that chapter 1 enemies are mostly melee and the 2H weapons require too much strength and agility (if sharpened) for use until higher levels so 1H and shield works best - possibly with a crush specialty. Later on 2H comes into its own when enemies attack with magic and doing major damage fast can outweigh blocking physical attacks with the shield e.g. with a certain shaman. But I haven't gotten far enough to have much of an opinion past chapter 1.





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I'm level 16 in act 2 and my dark friend has a 2 handed axe that rocks. It wasn't that good in the begining but after a few sharpenings it does 117 to 200 damage. I've put a few points in critical hits and death blows and he can walk through demons, magic users, and archers with one hit!
On the other hand my archer of good only does 46-80 damage with his bow. I really haven't found a great bow yet. I just had a thought - can you sharpen a bow???

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I would go for weapons with no accuracy requirement to start with such as slashing or crushing. They are easier to use after sharpening, and sharpening is awesome.

I am at the start of act three and the 2h axe of my SK does 233-400 damage after being sharpened 4 times, the requirement is st 60 / Ag 40, if it had an agility requirement to start with I would not have been able to sharpen it 4 times and still use it with those stats.

Anyhow I am playing two warrior-mages. A 2h DK, and a 1h-shield hero, who acts like a hit soaker since he has very high resistance and shield blocking precentage, whereas the DK does more damage once he joins the fray. For the hero I beefed up Luck (he has about 80) and that affects the block rate quite a lot, he blocks much more than the 25% he is supposed to. Not to mention the party finds awesome stuff,...


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Since the progression of Sharpen weapon is fixed it seems to me that after a few levels the damage difference between 1 hand and 2 hand weapons become rather limited. So I always go for 1 hand with shield ofcourse.

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My own thinking is that chapter 1 enemies are mostly melee and the 2H weapons require too much strength and agility (if sharpened) for use until higher levels so 1H and shield works best - possibly with a crush specialty. Later on 2H comes into its own when enemies attack with magic and doing major damage fast can outweigh blocking physical attacks with the shield e.g. with a certain shaman.


From my own experience, I would agree with this analysis. Don't forget that your DK's armour slowly improves throughout the game anyway, and there are many useful items that can increase armour rating even without a shield for your other character.

There are points in the game when kicking a lot of damage fast is VERY important <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nearly forgot - there are a lot of really good 2H slashing weapons out there, so I went slashing over crushing.


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Agreed! I would add this applies not just to a comparison between 1-handers and 2-handers in Act I, but archery and magery, as well. 1-handers simply rule that act. But a strong spell, a 2-hander, or split arrows hammering away at a foe from a distance can really make a difference in the later acts.

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ariana Offline OP
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LOL - this thread has now been panned.

Unlike most games one can change specs as needed as long as the cash holds out - I am currently (end of act 1) specced for 1H crush plus shield (DK) and 1H slash plus shield (avatar) in order to be able to use two types of weapons but anticipate having the cash to switch to 2H as needed.

Also sharpen seems to work best if the skill is unlearned and learned again so that level 1, 2 and 3 (etc) sharpens can be separately applied.


Reality is for those who cannot cope with fantasy. Fortunately, I can cope quite well.

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