Sword n' Shield vs. Two-Handed?

[Net]

I started playing just a few days ago and, after restarting at lvl 10 due to bad perk allocation, I'm now going for a more tanky build. I'm stacking dodge chance and damage resistance, with most of my AD coming from equipment and HP coming from Fortitude.

I don't want to do duel-wielding at all due to how generic I think it is, but now I can't choose between SnS and giant-sword (I'm going to say GS). SnS has been serving me well so far since it seems to have a good mix of both accuracy and dodge chance. GS is slower, but the damage and accuracy is higher. Is it worth it? Which one would be better for a "monster hit you for 0 hp" build?

Also, sorry for not using this game's lingo. Too many acronyms going around for me.

[Duke]

Hello Net, and welcome to the forums! I'm a huge fan of dual wielding, so I may not be the best to answer, but I just did a two handed build and it is ok, but with the sword and shield, you'll end up getting two more DR(dmg resistance). It really depends on what weapons you want to use. Good luck and enjoy!

[Zukero]

Not an expert in gear & stuff, but I'd say that from a RP perspective, going double-handed is meaningful for a tank.
By the time you'll get to choose between the different fighting styles, you should have gotten enough gear to decide by yourself which one suits you the most.

[rijackson741]

There are a couple of nice two handed swords with a high BC. One has a BC of 15%, which is higher than any shield currently in the game. It's other stats are so-so. The other sword you can get as part of a quest. It's BC is slightly less at 12%, but it's other stats are very good.

There currently are no very good shields in the game, but that could change with the next release.

As Zukero says, it's going to be a while before you need to worry about this choice anyway.

[Net]

I'm lvl 14, so the choice is getting made pretty soon. Figured out that the fastest way to level at the beginning is to just farm the heck out of the snake cave. Finished that, so now I'm going around doing quests and getting angry at every boss monster that doesn't drop anything.

Thanks for the input, though! I'll go two-handed, thanks for the tips.

[Duke]

Just a word to the wise...well, I probably messed up myself....but here is where I goofed......
In my two handed build I was aiming for the Gleaming claymore or Ruin (a two handed sword) so I got the two handed sword proficiency, however, I ended up not liking that weapon, and was using a great axe, either Gutsplitter or Great Axe of Shattered Hope....which didn't give me the bonus from the proficiency....moral of the story, choose carefully.

[StanislavBG]

I am using sword and shield. My build is more like "tank" - i have 10 DR for now. Mobs atm in 95% can make me damage only by crit, or poison etc. But if you have something to gain health every round you are pretty much invincible. Ok my AD is not so high, but i am rarely using bonemeals. I am using Balanced Steel Sword and i make 3 attacks per round. If you use 2H you could make maximum 2. So I think that depends of you, what you want.

[Flaming]

If you want confusing math then go for two handed weapons. Status affects, critical chance, critical damage. The probabilities make it hard to compare two handed swords. I used to use the balanced steel sword.

[georgestepo]

Two-Handed is the more fun of the two. It just feels like it has more weight to it (it does, but it needed to be said). Sword and shield is fun as well, but there are quite a few perks in the shield line that are bugged and will eventually quit working.

[Flaming]

Two-Handed is the more fun of the two. It just feels like it has more weight to it (it does, but it needed to be said). Sword and shield is fun as well, but there are quite a few perks in the shield line that are bugged and will eventually quit working.

Some of the shield skills are fabulous!

Shield proficiency level three with Remgard shield or wooden defender equals 4 damage resistance! I immediately had to take it in my first build. I took light armor in my second.

However, I would not say that shield skills and stats are bugged or unbalanced.

It all depends on the build. I am defensive so it works.