Is Two Handed worth it?

[BaconCat]

What kind of difference is there between top level Two Handed and One Handed when perks are factored in? The base damage differs by 10 points it seems (Comparing Daedric items 15 for Sword and 25 for Battleaxe) but what's it like when everything is factored in? Is there like a character builder program floating about to look this stuff up?

 

Just asking because if the damage difference isn't all that great I'll go one handed as it's more convenient.

[thesapien]

That is the one style I've never seen much point in.

[Werne]

Disadvantages are that you can't block very effectively or use magic along with your weapon, weak sneak attack criticals and you hit slower. The advantages are that you can deal more damage to your enemy and 2H weapons have much more damage when you enchant your armor with Fortify Two-handed, also they have deadlier power attacks (though they use more stamina than 1H power attacks).

 

You can try it out and see, I personaly don't like two-handed weapons but you might.

[BaconCat]

I know about the advantages and disadvantages of each, I just want to know the damage output. If it's somewhat similar or only slightly higher, I won't bother because the DPS will be lower.

 

I like to have fun, but it's no fun to intentionally cripple yourself. :)

 

So, did some testing (yay console). It seems at 100 Skill with all perks, a Daedric Sword does 42 Damage, and a Battleaxe does 75 Damage. Since you can get the perks that make dual attacks 30% faster, I'd assume that Dual Wielding > Two Handed > One Handed since Blocking is a joke anyway.

Edited February 22, 2012 by BaconCat

[natelovesyou]

A sword and a shield is actually quite fun, and blocking is also pretty effective. I think it's a very viable and rewarding method.

[Guern]

A sword and a shield is actually quite fun, and blocking is also pretty effective. I think it's a very viable and rewarding method.

 

i really like the 'time slows on enemy power attack' blocking perk.

[Axxaw]

I've tried it, didn't particularly like it though. The swings are so slow, even with a greatsword over a warhammer. They do more damage than one handed weapons, but they don't have the dps that dual-weilding gives. Sure you can block, which dual-weilding doesn't have, but I never found myself blocking with two handed weapons. I just kept side stepping enemy attacks instead. Personally I don't see the point, but if you don't care about squeezing the most damage, or the most balance between offense and defense, and just want a big sword then it's alright I suppose. It's definitely better than destruction as far as damage goes.

[sukeban]

Actually, two-handed is my favorite style in the game :)

 

Gone through master with few issues.

 

You are right in that DPS is substantially lower than dual-wield (second favorite style), but you can block if you're careful about it and coupled with power bash, you can almost avoid being staggered. Swings are slow, but the reach is huge. I didn't really realize this until I noticed that Orc bandit chiefs would KO me from seemingly across the room.

 

Also, the power-attack perks (and power attacks in general) are way more important for actual gameplay. Sweep is amazing, especially when combined with the crazy reach of your weapon. Critical charge as an opening works wonders as well. And even though the paralysis attack is difficult to pull off, the animation is fun and when it procs the opponent is gg.

 

Weapons-wise, I think that greatsword dps is highest, especially with 20% criticals factored in, though ignoring 75% of armor on draugr deathlords with a hammer is wonderful. In that department, volendrung reigns supreme. But my skyforge greatsword has held it down ever since I joined the companions at level seven or something.

 

Overall, I find it a nice challenge. Dual-wield is potent, but feels sort of mindless in its "tora! tora! tora!" approach to combat. Two-handed lends itself nicely to block, shouts, and striking. More tactical combat when compared with "spam dual-wield power attack until it dies." Not best for min-maxing, but fabulous for highly enjoyable gameplay.

Edited February 22, 2012 by sukeban

[Krawll]

I've played many different characters so far and found a way to become powerfull with each one of them.

 

I tried 1 handed with shield and it's great, i've tried 2 handed and it's also great . I've tried being sneaky and it's also great. I've tried mage characters and it's also great . I mean , if you know what you're doing and you spend your points in the right areas for the type of characters you're playing, any variations of builds can be good. I can't answer your main question and tell you what the difference is between 1 handed and 2 handed in terms of numbers, i've never looked at it that way. I just know that 2 handed builds can own anything . You kill stuff a lot faster with a two handed weapon than you do with a 1 handed but while using 1 handed and shield you're a lot more resistant to damage and you get some moves and abilities using the shield so eihter way works just fine . Just pick a style and start killing .

[Scribblesix]

Skyrim is a very very easy game at higher levels, My guy had no trouble beating alduin in under a minute using an two handed unechanted steel battleaxe. If you try to make your character as powerful as you can the game will offer no challenge and you'll need to install more mods to make it harder again....

 

imo... Armour should have Damage reduction factor akin to the witcher or fallout rather than an effective hp boost. That way you have different weapons for different tasks. Two handed are great for monsters/knights with very high DR but slouch against bandits.