Thread: Should I , a champion , dual wield or 2 hand?

I am very new to this game and have no idea how to play very well.

Any help would be appreciated. I feel like my first mistake was becoming a Tinkerer.

Honestly, whatever you want is good.

It isn't until you start using legendary weapons that there is any noticeable difference between 2-handers and dual wielding.

Two handers hit harder and slower, while dual wielding is faster but softer.

They both do similar damage though, so whatever looks and feels best for your play style.

It appears that the most effective would be to do both simultaneously: e.g. build fervour using dual weapons, and then spend fervour with a two-hander. This is what I have been doing on my (now level 38) champ alt, and have a pretty good rhythym for it.

I posted this question on the champ forum a while back and got a bunch of huh's? in response.... I guess the consensus is that you base your build EITHER around DW or 2H based on personal preference, and not try to do both. I would like to try keeping both simultaneously even with LI's and such on my toon. I think it will be a bit more challenging, but ultimately more powerfull.

I vote Dual Wield...looks cooler swinging 2 axes, 2 swords, etc. As mentioned above, not a huge difference but more of a play-style decision.

My champ went Metalsmith and I am very pleased with that decision. I was able to craft my own armour which helped me in the long run. The AH can get expensive buying 6 different pieces of armour every 5 or so levels.

Some skills only work for dual wielders. Aside from that both play styles are equally effective.

If you are having a hard time with your Champ then be specific. Maybe we can help with some problems and misconceptions. Champs arent actually Tanks. They can be good at tanking but that isnt really their main function. When things get tough, the Champ goes DPSing. Your main defense is to kill ASAP.

Originally Posted by Barruktp

I would like to try keeping both simultaneously even with LI's and such on my toon. I think it will be a bit more challenging, but ultimately more powerfull.

That is interesting. When you get your legendary traits in your 40's let us know how that works for you. My experience was that legendary traits cemented my decision to go duel but maybe you can figure a way to do both still.

Originally Posted by LawLessOne

Some skills only work for dual wielders. Aside from that both play styles are equally effective.

What skills are those? My Champ uses a two-handed weapon and I can use every skill that I've purchased to date (level 51). Are there some at higher levels that differ?

I know that some skills 'change' when you switch from dual wielding to two-handers, but the skill itself can - and will be used.

Originally Posted by Manderero

I know that some skills 'change' when you switch from dual wielding to two-handers, but the skill itself can - and will be used.

You loose an attack with some skills. They are off hand only attacks. You have to decide whether it is worth losing the damage from the lost attack when you use these skills. Some like the heal require a hit. You get extra attacks when dual wielding which makes it more likely to get the morale from the heal.

Dual wielders do a little less damage but have better/more customized stats due to choosing an off hand. It won't make much of a difference either way, so do whatever you are most comfortable with.

Originally Posted by Yula_the_Mighty

You loose an attack with some skills. They are off hand only attacks. You have to decide whether it is worth losing the damage from the lost attack when you use these skills. Some like the heal require a hit. You get extra attacks when dual wielding which makes it more likely to get the morale from the heal.

Thank you Yula, that is what I was thinking/refering. You bailed me out again.

I prefer dual wielding...I've tried using a 2h and it just looks off to me. I'm trading off a little damage, but I get more stat bonuses with my offhand sword, I figure it evens out.

Also, I have heavy shield use slotted, and I carry a heavy shield because I solo a lot, and the board makes me able to solo things I otherwise wouldn't....so I'd have to carry a one-hander for that anyway.

(but really, I dual wield because I like the look better)

I've tried both dual-wielding and 2-handers and prefer DW, but it seems there's not much difference. I'm just more comfortable with two weapons. Plus the stat bonuses you get from both weapons will be better than the stat bonuses you get on 2hander. Ultimately, I would say try both and see what you're comfortable with.

This is an old post...but thought I would add some food for thought.

I rotate between playing my toons (warden, mini, hunter, champ) and find a 2H style better b/c it is slower play and I can think a little more about the attack rotations.

I also read that for solo...dual wield since your doing short battles usually. You probably will eak out more dmg overall since battle are short and a miss isn't a total damage loss. For grouping, go with 2H, since battles are longer and you need to conserve that power while still putting out a lot of dmg.

If you 2H, I would suggest keeping one or two LI slot with a decent 1 hand. That way if you ever need to tank....you have a 1 hander ready to go and on level. I have a champ spear for my dwarf...so while I loose my axe buff, i get a lot of DPS out of a 1 hand weapon, and can still tote a shield...or just off hand an axe if I want to speed things up. Conversely, keep a good 2H slotted if you go DW for the other side of the argument.

Overall, I agree that it really doesn't matter that much.

Originally Posted by Dilf

This is an old post...but thought I would add some food for thought.

I rotate between playing my toons (warden, mini, hunter, champ) and find a 2H style better b/c it is slower play and I can think a little more about the attack rotations.

I also read that for solo...dual wield since your doing short battles usually. You probably will eak out more dmg overall since battle are short and a miss isn't a total damage loss. For grouping, go with 2H, since battles are longer and you need to conserve that power while still putting out a lot of dmg.

If you 2H, I would suggest keeping one or two LI slot with a decent 1 hand. That way if you ever need to tank....you have a 1 hander ready to go and on level. I have a champ spear for my dwarf...so while I loose my axe buff, i get a lot of DPS out of a 1 hand weapon, and can still tote a shield...or just off hand an axe if I want to speed things up. Conversely, keep a good 2H slotted if you go DW for the other side of the argument.

Overall, I agree that it really doesn't matter that much.

wow.. i would slap you if i could

digging out a thread this old! :O

I've always been a sword and shield guy in every game, not just LOTR, and started my Champion the same way. Then a kinsman gifted me a headman's axe and from first swing I was hooked. 2-handed all the way now! Just keep my armor at top level to compensate for the missing shield and make sure my weapon is as high end as I can handle.

I vote for dual-wield.

You loose the bonus from the 2nd weapon otherwise. I love my two bronze daggers of agility on my Hunter.
It´s the same with Champs.

seriously.. this thread is 1 1/2 years old.. the OP is sure not to read any of this... just leave it be?

Originally Posted by Dilf

This is an old post...but thought I would add some food for thought.

I rotate between playing my toons (warden, mini, hunter, champ) and find a 2H style better b/c it is slower play and I can think a little more about the attack rotations.

I also read that for solo...dual wield since your doing short battles usually. You probably will eak out more dmg overall since battle are short and a miss isn't a total damage loss. For grouping, go with 2H, since battles are longer and you need to conserve that power while still putting out a lot of dmg.

If you 2H, I would suggest keeping one or two LI slot with a decent 1 hand. That way if you ever need to tank....you have a 1 hander ready to go and on level. I have a champ spear for my dwarf...so while I loose my axe buff, i get a lot of DPS out of a 1 hand weapon, and can still tote a shield...or just off hand an axe if I want to speed things up. Conversely, keep a good 2H slotted if you go DW for the other side of the argument.

Overall, I agree that it really doesn't matter that much.

There will be quite a few changes when Isengard goes live that will alter your game play for the Champ. Most notably Shields will be removed and 2-Handers will have their Fervour penalty removed.

Check the Dev Diary and see the changes...

Im a lvl 46 champ and through my experiences i prefer DW over the 2 handed swords concidering I seem to get better stats with two wepons rather then the 1, so unless you find a good legendary 2H id stick with DW

With Isen I believe a 2 -hand weapon will be preferred. The crit for remorseless strike will benefit more from 2-hander than DW

Duel wield if you wish to be competitive against any induction class pvp opponents.

My Rank 7 defiler eats up two hand weapon wielding champions because they are so slow in hitting him he has a ton of chances to get his induction hots off, and his induction gourd skills off.

Duel wield champions are much more difficult to fight because of the fast interruptions.

That's my two silver.

Dual wield all the way! In fact, dual wield so much the devs allow champs to dual wield 2 melee LIs! (which will, apparently, never happen! I've asked about this, and was told champs can't dual wield 2 melee LIs. If this isn't true, please - tell me!)

The DPS from 2 weapons will wind up just being a bit more than any 2-hander, and the stat bonuses will be just that bit more (of course, this probably won't amount to a whole lot more, but it's still more!) You hit more. More often.

I DW for DPS' sake, as some of the skills have additional off-hand attacks, also you may find that if you're DW and an Orc/Mob takes your main-hand weapon and hedge is on cooldown, you hit more during that time than if you were 2Hing, but as most people say, it's your decision so play around with both and see what you're more comfortable with.

Originally Posted by garetjax8

With Isen I believe a 2 -hand weapon will be preferred. The crit for remorseless strike will benefit more from 2-hander than DW

Any accurate data on that? If they kill DW I have absolutely no interest to play my main character anymore.

Originally Posted by Freezybox

I am very new to this game and have no idea how to play very well.

Any help would be appreciated. I feel like my first mistake was becoming a Tinkerer.

Hello Freezybox,

This is a debate that has raged for some time. Allow me to give you my view.

I both DW and 2H on various of my characters. Generally, they both do the same amount of DPS [1]. DW will give smaller hits but faster, while the 2H will be slower on the hits, but give bigger DPS, especially when you critically hit.

Personally, I like both, depending on the character. My champion DWs, while my Guardian prefers a 2H Axe, and my Captain a 2H Sword. I don't base my choices on stats as much as I do on RP. In the end, it all falls back on one single factor: "fun!"

Oh, one last thing - if you do decide to go 2H, adjust your traits to work on your Critical Hitting. The higher your ability to crit the more DPS you will do.

Enjoy!




[1] If you are one who is extremely nit-picky on the stats, several posts have demonstrated that DW provides more DPS overall than 2H, though the difference is small.

Please move to champion forum.

Either is fine. Anyone who tells you otherwise (IE "I do l33t DPS with a 2h that DW cant approach, therefore my epeen is bigger than yours.") Is full of baloney (not the good kind, that you can make a sandwich out of.)

Through I do not play a champion I think that both ways are good but when it comes to stats i think you recieve more of them by having two 1H weapons equiped instead of one 2H weapon. I also like more the way you battle holding 1H weapons. 2H weapons always seemed boring to me because they are slow and also (except of Axes and Hammers) I don't like the way 2H weapons are placed in your back.