Weapons should contribute to block rate, at varying rates as shields do, with two handers being the highest, and dual wielding single handers adding together. The percent should not be as high as shields but it should be a contributing factor
Normal / Exceptional / Elite
1 Hand Axes - 2-4 / 3-5 / 4-6
1 Hand daggers - 0-1 / 1-2 / 3-4
1 Hand Maces / Hammers - 1-2 / 3-4 / 4-5
1 Hand Swords - 3-5 / 4-6 / 5-7
Example - Barbarian using a great poleaxe (37) with minimum dexterity required (99) would achieve a 16% block chance (with around 5300 Life), and 220 dex investment would achieve 40% block (with roughly 4000 life) . The highest Single and Dual wield options would see block chances significantly lower; 3-7% bonus. However, as (most) non-shields do not provided increased chance of blocking or faster block rate, new items could be introduced to add increased chance of blocking to apply / block rate to apply.
This would especially help to incentivize and improve the use of two-hand weapons / provide needed defensiveness for those not utilizing shields.
Either way, are two-handed weapons significantly underpowered? Is block really the best way to buff them, rather than give them the reason anyone would actually choose them over single-handed weapons : brutish damage?
I guess there’s a debate to be had for polearms, spears or even staves, but why would anyone take a two-handed axe, mace or sword, other than to brutally murder their opponent?
I am not suggesting that block is the only way to buff two hand weapons. They do need a damage buff. I am merely suggesting that weapons should contribute to block rate, as they, like shields, are used to block attacks in reality.
We aren’t trying to emulate reality, though. What is important is good game mechanics, and I don’t see how reducing the relative impact of shields on defense improves the game.
Then why does heavy armor reduce run speed vs light armor? Why are heavier weapons slower than lighter weapons? Why do larger shields offer more block chance than smaller shields? Why do certain weapons have longer reach than others? The game obviously does try to emulate reality in certain aspects.
I don’t look at this as reducing the relative impact of shields on defense, but rather improving the usability of weapons without a shield, especially two-handers.
These are choices made with the intent to serve gameplay. Don’t get me wrong, not all choices are good, but making such a big dent on the specificity of shields doesn’t improve gameplay, it takes away some of its impact.
It doesn’t. That it buffs some (all, actually) builds doesn’t mean it improves gameplay. There are better ways to do that, like increasing 2-handed weapons damage, creating affixes that can only apply to them, and so on. Making them more unique, not less.
PS :
Because it isn’t clear enough : melee builds without shields are meant to be more agressive. Suggestions that make them more defensive clearly don’t make sense.
Where does it say that using two hand is supposed to be more aggressive?
Another reference to reality - Large two hand swords / spears / pikes / long polearms often used more-so defensively to keep enemies / there weapons at distance. Spears, pikes, long polearms often gathered like a large porcupine in battle field.
Currently, their in game range is not much to offer a defensive quality
My suggestion only provides a final 10-30% block rate with the highest options and added dexterity. (because (most) weapons lack + increased chance of blocking (and faster block rate))
It’s game design 101. If you want a defensive build, you take a defensive item. If you want to deal more damage, take a bigger weapon (or more of them).
It doesn’t mean all two-handed weapons need to offer an aggressive gameplay, PoE does provide block chance to staves and nobody would complain about that, for example. But as a general rule, big weapons are for big damage, and shields are for defense. Simply because that’s what almost all players are going to instinctively expect.
That being said, I am definitely not against the idea of giving some two-handed weapons (or even all of them) more reach.
The last thing a barbarian needs is block. Block slows the barbarian down. If you watch every single barbarian speedrun you’ll see the very first thing every single runner does is remove the shield, that’s because block slows the barbarian down. If you need block on a barbarian, you’re a noob.
Are you sure its not because they want more damage, for speed, and dual wield currently provides higher damage.
Regardless, wy suggestion would provide a small single digit (+3-7%?) block chance for the best 1 hander dual wield option. A nice boost with shield, and tiny bonus without.
Block stops the character’s attack. As an avid barbarian player I’d rather be hit than block. 1 point on Shout, 1 point on Iron Skin and some FHR and the barb is good to go.