In most cases, equipping 1H weapons for melee-based characters is usually the superior choice. In order to differentiate 2H weapons, what if these weapons (and only these weapons) had the innate ability to add splash damage to melee attacks. This would give 2H weapons a niche role in the game. At the very least, it would be interesting to test in the PTR.
Thoughts?
I would very much like to see two handed weapons given SOMETHING. Especially for Barbs. Maybe remove the dual wield weapon requirements for frenzy or something. Maybe a damage % boost. Iâd love the splash damage to. Maybe a 2H runeword that gives some kind of high damage AOE. Like a high level shockwave or something.
Just donât like the idea of splash damage if itâs just bursts on impact. I would rather a rework of items so that two handed swords have better (meaningful) range compared to most one handers and some perks to compensate for shield in some way.
They need to rework swords a bit, as it is now the phase blade becomes a necessity at times and just opening up more options would help.
I just want to avoid constant screen explosions with sloppy splash mechanics.
Agreed that 2H weapons need something. There isnât much reason to use them except for polearms for pally mercs or a staff for a caster, or as a 1H on barbs, but thatâs not really using a 2H.
I like the OPâs idea. You could say the 2H does like 20% of itâs damage in a 2 yard radius. Make a runeword and/or add an affix to certain elite uniques to increase the radius and/or damage coefficient.
I would love some 2 handed attention, there is no reason to use them even as a caster. Even the best 2 hander builds give way to Grief in a Phase blade.
Iâm never a fan of splash but Iâd be willing to consider an âarchâ of damage. Maybe thatâs the same thing. I think just straight up a lot more damage for 2 hander would be good. They also should be faster, you can actually swing a 2 hander faster than you can a single handed sword: leverage!!!
The other one I keep bringing up is defense in the 2 handers. Staffs and bastard swords are very defensiveâŚ
It would be good if some of the âlower endâ swords got more sockets. Falchon, Sabre, Scimitar only get 2 sockets. This precludes them from most runewords.
Also not a bad idea. In PoE. IIRC 2H weapons give you a block chance, less than what you get with a shield equipped but some block chance.
Anyway, yeah, 2H weapons need something for sure.
Maybe some inherent bonus to critical strike that combines with mastery (on barbs) and is a separate multiplier with DS on other characters similar to mastery vs DS works with barbs, or do a buff pass over the range of all 2H weapons to further increase them compared to 1h?
Splash damage is a bit too âletâs just auto add AoEâ for my taste but I wouldnât hate it if the devs decided to go that way.
I like the idea that (I think) Zax has mentioned with buffing the damage bonus you get from stat points, maybe that could be combined with this some how do that 2H weapons receive an even larger bonus than 1H.
2H weapon does need some rework. Currently most of 2h weapon are too slow and not offering enough damage boost to compensate the lost of shield (def, block and resist).
2 handers need a serious buff, especially bows.
I completely agree as 2H weapons are lackluster in the current state.
absolutely. I would actually propose a wider splash for 2H and smaller splash for 1H weapons
Agreed wholeheartedly, I would love 2H swords to be viable.
Melee splash would be nice, I hope they look at bringing features of some popular mods since the modding community canât come to d2r.
What ifâŚall 2 hand weapons now have a built in bonus such asâŚ
2 hand swords: 20% chance to DS
2 hand axes: 20% chance to OW
2 hand mace: 20% chance of CB
Staffs: 20% chance to stun
Polearm/spears: 10% chance to DS + 10% chance to OW
Bows/ crossbows: KB+ 10% chance to OW
On the Pally side, in addition to a chance to block:
Herald of Zack has an inherent +50 resists, socketed and UMâd gives 72 resists.
If I want to make a Sanctuary in a good pally shield I can get up to 115 resists on the Shield
Even Exile will be made in a shield that gives 45 resists.
For all other classes
Basic shields for others can get +60-70 resists in a Sanctuary or Ward can give up to 72 when Umâd.
There is a large amount of resists you get from your shield, thus to use a 2 hander I need to get all the resists from other spots or have one of the rare 2 handers that has resists. Of course this is possible, but the shield really helps in lower to mid gear set ups in keeping you alive. I would say itâs more important than the chance to block.
What you list would be a good addition to the extra damage, resists and increased attack speed (2 handed are actually faster than 1 handersâŚI wonât lecture though.) needed to make 2 handers work. Then there is the casting weaponsâŚ
I really like where your going with thisâŚ
2 hand swords: 20% chance to DS
2 hand axes: 20% chance to OW
2 hand mace: 20% chance to CB
Bows/crossbows: KB + 10% chance to OW
Polearm/spears: 10% chance to DS & OW
Increas deadly strike effect for 2h weapons to +200% dmg instead of +100%.
Increase crushing blow effect for 2h weapons to 25% of current hp instead of 12.5%.
When a 2handed weapon is equipped, casting delay for skills is reduced by 50%.
I think having shields still provide better resists might be better from a trade off/viability stand point though. If you can get a 2H that gives a damage bonus that makes it superior to 1H, AND it no longer gives up resists, then will we have the same problem but it will now be pointless to use a 1H?
Shield still has block though so probably not fully.
Dual Wield also needs to be considered (at least for Barbs) and also be balanced to make sense with 1H/Shield and 2H.
I agree that having shields still provide better resists would be better from a trade-off stand point while giving 2H weapons superior damage.
+I think a lot of people miss that 2H weapons generally have more range than 1H weapons.
I would tentatively agree to some type of mini-aoe effect. You could make it a circular splash for pokey weapons and a wave-shaped cleave for swing weapons to have it fit the animation. Multi-proccing on-attack/on-striking skills via a splash/cleave attack would be kind of neat as well. Imagine you swing something like a scythe and your Hellfire Torch procs 3 firestorms. Doesnât break the game and adds a lot of fun fantasy elements. Something like this would also incentivize dual-2H-wield barb over dual phase-blades.