[SIZE="7"]Two-Handed vs. Dual-Wield[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Comparison of the two main weapon styles of Melee DPS as of G12[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Comparison of the two main weapon styles of Melee DPS as of G12[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"]Quickfinder (Use "Ctrl + F" and type in the 3 figures in the box to go to that section)[/SIZE]
[aa0] Introduction
[bb0] What are these terms?
::::::[bb1] Two-Handed
::::::[bb2] Dual-Wield
[cc0] What are their basic differences?
::::::[cc1] Two-Handed
::::::[cc2] Dual-Wield
[dd0] The Question: Which is Better?
::::::[dd1] Before G8
::::::[dd2] After G8
::::::[dd3] The two related Melee Skills
::::::[dd4] NPC Sword comparison
::::::[dd5] Mid-level Human Sword comparison
::::::[dd6] Mid-level Giant Blunt comparison
::::::[dd7] Endgame Human Sword comparison
::::::[dd8] Endgame Giant Blunt comparison
::::::[dd9] Human Spirit Weapon comparison
::::::[dd10] Giant Spirit Weapon comparison
[ee0] Analysis of Previous Section Data and Applicable Factors – What does this all mean?
::::::[ee1] Broad Axe vs. Warhammer over base damage interval
::::::[ee2] Highlander Claymore vs. War Sword over base damage interval
::::::[ee3] Ego Dustin Silver Knight Sword vs. Ego Bastard Sword + War Sword over base damage interval
::::::[ee4] Conclusion on Smash
[ff0] Is there any differences that actually make an impact besides max damage?
::::::[ff1] Min Damage, Average Damage, and Average Damage with Critical
::::::[ff2] Giant's ability to have two-handed sword and shield at once
::::::[ff3] Repair Cost
::::::[ff4] Others
[gg0] Afterthoughts
::::::[gg1] G13 Elsinore Sword
______________________________
[SIZE="1"][aa0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]Introduction[/SIZE]
I used to be an advocate for two-handed weapons before Pioneer of Iria update came out, and to this day, I can argue for them. But ever since dual-wielding got introduced in G4, tables have turned, and I either had to stay and defend a dying weapon style, or get on the DPS weapon bandwagon and take advantage of what dual-wield had to offer.
Enough about being ridiculed in my past though. When G8 and G9 came out, they changed the dynamics of two-handed weapons in ways some players couldn't understand at first. After some recalculating, there were simply enough data that placed the two styles of Melee DPS as distinct methods, rather than one overshadowing the other. I wrote this guide simply as a reference, as I've been encountering questions of two-handed vs. dual-wield quite often now from friends and guildies. So instead of reiterating myself, I'd put down the info here to refer to.
The focus of this guide is to peer into the practical and absolute values of both Melee styles, and (on a very small scale) their uses besides damage. I'll mostly be ignoring Balance and Injury. For the most part, this guide is basically a lot of numbers crunched together, so it's a long wall of calculations I did for the guide's purpose. I'm going to apologize in advanced, since I have bias towards two-handed and Smash in this guide, but for the most part, it's facts and not opinions.
Before any further, I'd like to inform that I am ignoring the Final Hit skill in this guide. While it is a powerful Human skill if used correctly, the difference of Final Hit between dual-wield and other weapons is so wide, it would be another guide, and I'm very sure most of everybody know about the caliber of this difference anyway.
[SIZE="1"]*Credits to Ohi/Bokusatsu for the Giant pictures~[/SIZE]
______________________________
[SIZE="1"][bb0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]What are these terms?[/SIZE]
[Image: http://i54.tinypic.com/29n9f6s.png]
[Image: http://i51.tinypic.com/20ap8io.png]
[SIZE="1"][bb1][/SIZE] Two-handed refers to the Melee weapons that requires both hands to wield. They are usually large or bulky in inventory size (1x5 or 2x4 inventory squares), and take up the right hand slot of the equipment window. Because they are two-handed weapons, they take up both hands and thus invalidating the left hand slot from use. The only exceptions are Giants as they can use a two-handed sword with a shield, and Elves as they cannot use any two-handed weapon at all, besides Brionac.
[Image: http://i56.tinypic.com/2rpsfwn.png]
[Image: http://i51.tinypic.com/32zrk1h.png]
[SIZE="1"][bb2][/SIZE] Dual-wield refers to the style of having a single-handed weapon on each weapon slot. The class of weapons that can be dual-wielded is race-restricted.
Human = Sword
Giant = Blunt
Elf = None
However, the make of the weapon can be wielded with another make. For example, a Human (Sword) can dual-wield a Longsword with a Broadsword.
______________________________
[SIZE="1"][cc0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]What are their basic differences?[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"][cc1][/SIZE] [SIZE="3"]Two-Handed[/SIZE]
Usually will be 2 Hit and have Very Slow speed.
Gains a 20% damage multiplier and 5% Critical rate when performing Smash.
Elves cannot wield two-handed weapons other than Brionac.
Humans cannot wield two-handed blunts.
Giants can wield a two-handed sword with a shield.
(Giant-only) Two-Handed Blunt can access Full Swing's actual potential.
[SIZE="1"][cc2][/SIZE] [SIZE="3"]Dual-Wield[/SIZE]
Make of weapons can be mixed together. [SIZE="1"]Ex. Fluted Short Sword with Battle Short Sword[/SIZE]
Class of weapons cannot be mixed together. [SIZE="1"]Ex. Gladius with Mace.[/SIZE]
(Human-only) Dual-Wield Swords lock a target in place with Final Hit instead of knocking the target back.
Stats of each weapon are calculated individually instead of an average of the two, except for speed and stun.
Single hit skills (such as Smash or Windmill) have different damage/Critical/Injury/Balance calculations. Damage formula for dual-wield is known as...
[(Base damage`) + (first weapon damage) + (second weapon damage)] * (% damage multiplier of skill)
[SIZE="1"]`We shall ignore base damage for simplicity.[/SIZE]
______________________________
[SIZE="1"][dd0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]The Question: Which is Better?[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"][dd1][/SIZE] Before G8, dual-wield considerably outclassed two-handed weapons in the important meta-game known as damage. Dual-wield can hit two times per input, meaning the total damage of a single click could (and very often) outdamage a single click of a two-handed weapon. The single-hit skill formula for dual-wield was by far more generous than the base formula, giving the style a damage edge in Smash, Windmill, and Counterattack. It was clear that dual-wield was preferred method for high damage, reducing two-handed usage by a large amount. With the exception of Giants and their Full Swing (which relied on a two-handed blunt to deal true damage), two-handed users were usually ridiculed for their choice.
[SIZE="1"][dd2][/SIZE] This mindset all changed when G8 buffed two-handed weapons by increasing Smash damage by 20% in a multiplicative calculation, and increased Smash's chance of landing a Critical Hit by 5%.
Since the 20% damage increase is multiplicative, Rank 1 Smash with a two-handed weapon gives 600% damage instead of 500%, since 20% of 500% is 100%. That's a huge percentage leap if it wasn't that obvious.
G8 and onward also gave a helping hand to two-handed weapons by implementing specific damage enchants catered only to two-handed weapons, such as Crocodile enchant. These specific enchants increase max damage by a large amount, much more so than regular weapon enchants.
[SIZE="1"][dd3][/SIZE] As it stands right now, two-handed and dual-wield have become almost diametrical ways of dealing damage. Mainly, the usage of one style usually dictates what DPS Melee style the player is currently using, which is either Smash or Windmill.
Two-Handed = Smash
Dual-Wield = Windmill*
[SIZE="1"]*For simplicity, Windmill vs. 1 target.[/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"][dd4][/SIZE] So, how do we see this damage difference? For starters, let's look at the most expensive base swords one can buy from NPCs.
[SIZE="1"]Calculated numbers that are superior are italicized.[/SIZE]
Gladius
Damage: 15~32
Claymore
Damage: 28~55
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
2x Gladius
(15~32 + 15~32) * 250% = 75~160 damage
Claymore
(28~55) * 250% = 70~137.5 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
2x Gladius
(15~32 + 15~32) * 500% = 150~320 damage
Claymore
(28~55) * 600% = 168~330 damage
As you can see, dual-wielding two Gladii produced a higher Windmill damage than the Claymore. On the other end, Claymore exceeded dual-wielding Gladii in Smash. This proves that the extra 20% Smash damage increase is capable of making two-handed weapons a contender for damage. Even at Rank F Smash...
2x Gladius
(15~32 + 15~32) * 200% = 60~128 damage
Claymore
(28~55) * 240% = 67.2~132 damage
[SIZE="1"][dd5][/SIZE] For more experienced players, here's some usual weapon setups for mid-range level Human users:
Cypress Broadsword (222 + dmg gem) of Spike
Damage: 5.33~97
Necromancer Claymore (222 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Damage: 40.972~162.6
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Broadsword (222 + dmg gem) of Spike
(5.33~97 + 5.33~97) * 250% = 26.65~485 damage
Necromancer Claymore (222 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(40.972~162.6) * 250% = 102.43~406.5 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Broadsword (222 + dmg gem) of Spike
(5.33~97 + 5.33~97) * 500% = 53.3~970 damage
Necromancer Claymore (222 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(40.972~162.6) * 600% = 245.832~975.6 damage
[SIZE="1"][dd6][/SIZE] For mid-level Giant equipments:
Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
Damage: 22.333~105
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Damage: 89.446~159.8
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
(22.333~105 + 22.333~105) * 250% = 111.665~525 damage
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(89.446~159.8) * 250% = 223.615~399.5 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
(22.333~105 + 22.333~105) * 500% = 223.33~1050 damage
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(89.446~159.8) * 600% = 536.676~958.8 damage
Here's an exception case for Giants in terms of Smash, but that matters little. I'll explain that later on.
[SIZE="1"][dd7][/SIZE] For currently endgame equipment as a Human:
Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn
Damage: 6.662~119.6
Necromancer Highlander Claymore (275 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Damage: 45.972~172.6
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
2x Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn
(6.662~119.6 + 6.662~119.6) * 250% = 33.31~598 damage
Necromancer Highlander Claymore (275 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(45.972~172.6) * 250% = 114.93~431.5 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
2x Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn
(6.662~119.6 + 6.662~119.6) * 500% = 66.62~1196 damage
Necromancer Highlander Claymore (275 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(45.972~172.6) * 600% = 275.832~1035.6 damage
[SIZE="1"][dd8][/SIZE] For currently endgame equipment as a Giant:
Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn
Damage: 14.662~118.6
Necromancer Broad Axe (221 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Damage: 36.646~174.8
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
2x Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn
(14.662~118.6 + 14.662~118.6) * 250% = 73.31~593 damage
Necromancer Broad Axe (221 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(36.646~174.8) * 250% = 91.615~437 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
2x Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn
(14.662~118.6 + 14.662~118.6) * 500% = 146.62~1186 damage
Necromancer Broad Axe (221 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
(36.646~174.8) * 600% = 219.876~1048.8 damage
[SIZE="1"][dd9][/SIZE] For all of you who are Spirit Weapon enthusiasts (using Wiki's values), here are the Human choices:
Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword
Damage: 58~189
Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
Damage: 109~243
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn
(58~189 + 6.662~119.6) * 250% = 161.665~771.5 damage
Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
(109~243) * 250% = 272.5~607.5 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn
(58~189 + 6.662~119.6) * 500% = 323.31~1543 damage
Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
(109~243) * 600% = 654~1458 damage
[SIZE="1"][dd10][/SIZE] Giant Spirit Weapons:
Level 40 Spirit Iron Mace (since Wiki only got up to 40 at this point in typing)
Damage: 18~192
Level 50 Spirit Broadaxe
Damage: 105~228
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
Level 40 Spirit Iron Mace + Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn
(18~192 + 14.662~118.6) * 250% = 81.655~776.5 damage
Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword**
(109~243) * 250% = 272.5~607.5 damage
Level 50 Spirit Broadaxe
(105~228) * 250% = 262.5~570 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
Level 40 Spirit Iron Mace + Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn
(18~192 + 14.662~118.6) * 500% = 163.31~1553 damage
Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword**
(109~243) * 600% = 654~1458 damage
Level 50 Spirit Broadaxe
(105~228) * 600% = 630~1368 damage
[SIZE="1"]**Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword has higher max damage than Level 50 Broad Axe, so I included that. However, the Broad Axe is also included because many Giants have that Spirit (mainly for Full Swing), so they can see its power in other skills.[/SIZE]
______________________________
[SIZE="1"][ee0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]Analysis of Previous Section Data and Applicable Factors – What does this all mean?[/SIZE]
Looking at all the calculations, we can see that in all of them, [SIZE="4"]dual-wield is superior to two-handed in max [U]Windmill damage[/SIZE][/U].
The interesting paradigm however is in the Smash category.
In the base 2x Gladius vs. Claymore scenario, Claymore outright bested the 2x Gladius in both Smash min damage and max damage. So forth for Necromancer Claymore of Crocodile vs. Cypress Broadsword of Spike. However, in the latter scenarios, dual-wield started to surpass two-handed in max Smash damage.
Does this invalidate the statement that two-handed weapons are better for Smash? Yes and no.
Before I go further on that, I have to mention the very important factor in my calculating: I only calculated and compared weapon stats, with their own upgrades and enchants. I excluded the other half of the damage source, the user.
Because Windmill will always remain a constant 250% damage multiplier (excluding Elf Windmill) for both two-handed and dual-wield, the increase in damage on both styles will be affected in the same manner by Windmill. Thus, dual-wield will mostly trump two-handed in max Windmill damage.
But Smash behaves differently for damage increase because of its separate multiplier for the two styles. Dual-wield 500% vs. two-handed 600% does not seem as much of a difference at first, but in terms of damage increase over base damage intervals, the one with the higher multiplier of increase will tie and eventually surpass the lower multiplier, given the right amount of base damage.
[SIZE="1"][ee1][/SIZE] For example, let's compare 2x Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn [119 + 119 = 238 max damage] vs. Necromancer Broad Axe (221 + dmg gem) of Crocodile [175 max damage]:
[Image: http://i52.tinypic.com/2q3rolz.png]
When the user has 130 max damage from other than the weapon's stats and enchants, the max Smash damage suddenly becomes equal between the two style, and every additional max damage after 130 begins to push two-handed Smash damage above dual-wield Smash damage.
Is a base Melee max damage of 130 possible? It certainly is. 200 base Strength gives 80 max damage, Rank 1 Combat Mastery (Giant) gives 20 max damage, and the remaining 30 max damage come from simple clothing or armor enchants/title. Is over 130 Melee max damage possible? Indeed. Therefore, the Broad Axe will outdamage the dual-wielded Warhammers in Smash in not only theoretical situations, but easy everyday situations as well.
[SIZE="1"][ee2][/SIZE] Another example, 2x Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn [120 + 120 = 240 max damage] vs. Necromancer Highlander Claymore (275 + dmg gem) of Crocodile [173 max damage]:
[Image: http://i52.tinypic.com/2mdjrqx.png]
This is harder to reach, as the base damage where the Smash damage becomes equal is 162, but is still possible. 200 Strength (80 max damage) + Rank 1 Human Combat Mastery (18 max damage) + 64 max damage from clothing or armor enchants/title. Is it possible to exceed 162 base max damage? Yes, without going into current endgame damage enchants.
[SIZE="1"][ee3][/SIZE] As for Spirit Weapons... Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Wyllow War Sword (243) of Horn [189 + 120 = 309 max damage] vs. Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword [243 max damage]:
[Image: http://i54.tinypic.com/2efhqmu.png]
The point of equal Smash damage is 87 base max damage.
[SIZE="1"][ee4][/SIZE] Back to the question. Does the statement hold true that two-handed weapons are better for Smash? Yes and no. Yes, in that, in the absolute endgame max damage possible, [SIZE="4"]two-handed weapons will outperform dual-wield in max [U]Smash damage[/SIZE][/U], due to the subtle but important 20% Smash damage increase. No, in that, two-handed weapons can be weaker than dual-wield in Smash if the user does not have enough base max damage to support the two-handed weapon.
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[SIZE="1"][ff0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]Is there any differences that actually make an impact besides max damage?[/SIZE]
From a non-racial standpoint, there are differences that subtle at first, but can generally change a person's approach to either style.
[SIZE="1"][ff1][/SIZE] 1. Besides max damage, two-handed weapons usually have more min damage than their one-handed counterparts. When comparing dual-wield average damage to two-handed, dual-wield have high max damage and low min damage, while two-handed can have lower max damage, but higher min damage. This results in two-handed weapons having more stable and consistent damage output, compared to dual-wield. However, dual-wield can produce more average damage output than two-handed in normal attacks, due to combining the average damage of both weapons to get the final average damage.
Example, using the average damage formula [Average damage = Max * Balance + Min * (1 - Balance)] and assuming 80% Balance:
2x Cypress Broadsword (222 + dmg gem) of Spike
97 * 80% + 5.33 * (100% - 80%) = 78.666 average damage per sword
Or 157.332 average damage combined
Necromancer Claymore (222 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
162.6 * 80% + 40.972 * (100% - 80%) = 138.2744 average damage
Usually, because of the nature of Balance, dual-wield will more likely hit their max damage enough to make their low min damage nearly insignificant. Two-handed follows the same rules, but due to their lower max damage, their average damage will suffer and thus will be lower than dual-wield, while their higher min damage won't change their average damage as much due to being at 80% Balance. The exception is having incredibly higher min damage while maintaining similar max damage.
It is important to also note that Critical Hits is affected by max damage only. When considering this, Critical (a very practical factor) favors high max damage, which is something dual-wield provides more often than two-handed. When Critical is added into the average damage formula [Average damage with Critical = Max * Balance + Min * (1 - Balance) + (Critical Rate * Max * Critical Rank Multiplier)], assuming a constant 30% Rank 1 Critical rate against all targets:
2x Cypress Broadsword (222 + dmg gem) of Spike
97 * 80% + 5.33 * (100% - 80%) + (30% * 97 * 150%) = 122.316 average damage per sword
Or 244.632 average damage combined
Necromancer Claymore (222 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
162.6 * 80% + 40.972 * (100% - 80%) + (30%* 162.6 * 150%) = 211.44 average damage
Thus, dual-wield will also produce more average damage with Critical than two-handed in normal attacks.
For the important Melee skills, Windmill's multiplier will always be the same for both two-handed and dual-wield. Thus, dual-wield Windmill will have a higher average damage output than two-handed, Critical or not. However, is two-handed 20% Smash damage bonus enough to produce a higher average damage than dual-wield Smash in a practical situation?
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash average damage:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
Rank 1 Smash damage: 223.33~1050
1050 * 80% + 233.33 (100% - 80%) = 886.666 average Smash damage
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Rank 1 Smash damage: 536.676~958.8
958.8 * 80% + 536.676 * (100% - 80%) = 874.3752 average Smash damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash average damage with Critical:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
Rank 1 Smash average damage: 886.666
886.666 + (30% * 1050 * 150%) = 1359.166 average Smash damage with Critical
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Rank 1 Smash average damage: 874.3752
874.3752 + (30% * 958.8 * 150%) = 1305.8352 average Smash damage with Critical
Does this mean dual-wield will have higher average Smash damage than two-handed? Yes, but only if the user has 0 base damage. To provide a counterpoint, we shall provide a user with 30~70 base Melee damage.
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
Rank 1 Smash damage with 30~70 user base damage: 373.33~1400
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Rank 1 Smash damage with 30~70 user base damage: 716.676~1378.8
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash average damage with 30~70 user base damage:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
1400 * 80% + 373.33 * (100% - 80%) = 1194.666 average Smash damage
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
1378.8 * 80% + 716.676 * (100% - 80%) = 1246.3752 average Smash damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash average damage with Critical with 30~70 user base damage:[/SIZE]
2x Cypress Iron Mace (195 + dmg gem) of Spike
Rank 1 Smash average damage with 30~70 user base damage: 1194.666
1194.666 + (30% * 1400 * 150%) = 1824.666 average Smash damage with Critical
Necromancer Battle Hammer (258 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
Rank 1 Smash average damage with 30~70 user base damage: 1246.3752
1246.3752 + (30% * 1378.8 * 150%) = 1866.8352 average Smash damage with Critical
With the practical user Melee damage, the Battle Hammer now has higher average Smash damage, due to min damage from the user (which is less than half of the max damage). The Iron Maces still have higher max damage in regular hits and Smash, but the average Smash damage of Iron Maces is lower than the Battle Hammer, even with Critical calculated. This gap in average Smash damage will widen even further as the user obtains more Melee damage. As a result, two-handed average Smash damage will exceed dual-wield average Smash damage, Critical or not, if the user has the adequate amount of Melee damage to support the two-handed weapon.
[Image: http://i51.tinypic.com/2qle5tz.png]
[SIZE="1"][ff2][/SIZE] 2. Giants can wield a two-handed sword while using a shield, a racial feature that gives offensive power to their defensive capabilities, which is something dual-wield barely offers. In an overall view, it gives a two-handed sword's power and stun to its user while boosting defense, even without upgrades. It rivals both two-handed weapon utility and the one-handed weapon/shield combination.
Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn + Corundum Kite Shield (+2 Defense upgrade) of Alteration
(14.662~118.6) + (8.325~16) = 22.987~134.6 damage
Necromancer Dustin Silver Knight Sword (215 + dmg gem) of Crocodile + Corundum Vales Shield (+3 Defense upgrade with gem) of Alteration
(54.646~157.8) + (8.325~16) = 62.971~173.8 damage
The 20% Smash damage bonus boosts the two-handed sword/shield DPS even more. Keep in mind that Crocodile enchant reduces HP by 40 and Defense by 5, which limits the defensive capabilities of the latter choice against the former. In my opinion, that doesn't really dent the defensive abilities of a shield or HP pool of a Giant.
[SIZE="1"][ff3][/SIZE] 3. I won't get into the cost of the weapons and enchants themselves, but the repair cost is of importance to some people. Thus, here's a quick look:
Cypress Broadsword (222 + dmg gem) of Spike
98% repair cost per point = 1406g + 140.6g (+10% from Spike) = 1546.6g
1546.6 * 2 = 3093.2g for two of the same weapon
Wyllow Warhammer (180 + dmg gem) of Horn
98% repair cost per point = 1077g + 1077g (+100% from Wyllow) + 1077g (+100% from Horn) = 3231g
3231 * 2 = 6462g for two of the same weapon
Necromancer Broad Axe (222 + dmg gem) of Crocodile
98% repair cost per point = 5937g + 5937g (+100% from Necromancer) + 2968.5 (+50% from Crocodile) = 14842.5g
And so forth. In general, two-handed weapons will be more expensive to maintain than dual-wield. This is especially true when enchants with repair cost multipliers are applied. Because of this, Dragon Blades are usually favored by some two-handed users for its low repair cost while still offering fairly strong offensive capabilities.
[SIZE="1"][ff4][/SIZE] 4. Other differences:
- Because two-handed weapons are usually slower than one-handed weapons, their stun time in a single hit is longer. More importantly, this factors into Windmill, in which most two-handed weapons have a longer knock down period than one-handed weapons/dual-wield can.
- The chosen style also usually dictates which of the two stats the user is striving for: Damage or Critical. Since Windmill ignores Protection for calculating Critical rate, Windmill players normally obtain a steady 30%+ Critical rate, then focus on damage. Smash does not ignore Protection to calculate Critical rate, so some Smash players aim to get a decent Critical rate first, prioritizing over damage. Two-handed Smash alleviates Critical rate by 5%, however two-handed weapons generally have lower Critical rate than their one-handed counterparts.
- Most useful two-handed enchants have some severe penalties to them, usually in the form of lowering the defensive capabilities. Whether or not this actually matters is how the user plays, as there are players who have low HP builds that wield two-handed weapons just for their enchants.
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[SIZE="1"][gg0][/SIZE] [SIZE="4"]Afterthoughts[/SIZE]
The only thing I want to say is (thus is why this afterthought is here) that even if two-handed weapons got their buffs, it's not going to shake off the preconception of their uses in combat compared to dual-wield. Instead, it's better off to think of two-handed and dual-wield as two sides of a coin: different enough to not compete, but are choices that can exist alongside each other, similar to Melee to other skill sets.
Regarding that, I do have to make a tiny suggestion. While the idea of Mabinogi applies to encouraging the players to use whichever weapon they want, I do recommend that...
a). Melee players know the situation beforehand, and prepare their gears appropriately. Two-handed or dual-wield, whichever is better suited.
b). The player should have good base Melee damage and financial income before using a two-handed weapon full-time.
[SIZE="1"][gg1][/SIZE] One last calculation for fun.
Using ACME's G12 Human Max Melee Damage guide and tweaking some enchant choices:
[SIZE="1"]
- Extraordinary Clothes of White Horse = +14 max, +7 min
- Fleet Heavy Boots of Raven = +17 max, +4 min
- Steel Needle Gauntlets of Wild Boar = +19 max
- Corundum Tork Cap of Delusional = +14 max
- Corundum Accessory of Sundrop x 2 = +18 max
Total damage from non-weapon enchants = +82 max, +11 min
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- Rank 1 Combat Mastery (Human) = +18 max, +8 min
- Rank 1 Sword Mastery = +20 max, +10 min
- 999 base Strength = +399.6 max, +332.667 min
Total Melee damage from Strength and skills = +437.6 max, +350.667 min
Total Melee damage from user = +519.6 max, +361.667 min
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Elsinore Sword (adding the two swords together for single hit skills)
(361.667~519.6 + 58~189 + 95~190) = 514.667~898.6 damage
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
(361.667~519.6 + 109~243) = 470.667~762.6 damage
When using the Master of Shock title, max damage is raised by 4%
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Elsinore Sword (adding the two swords together for single hit skills)
898.6 * 104% = 934.544 max damage
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
762.6 * 104% = 793.104 max damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Windmill:[/SIZE]
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Elsinore Sword
(514.667~934.544) * 250% = 1286.6675~2336.36 damage
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
(470.667~793.104) * 250% = 1176.6675~1982.76 damage
[SIZE="1"]Comparing Rank 1 Smash:[/SIZE]
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Bastard Sword + Elsinore Sword
(514.667~934.544) * 500% = 2573.335~4672.72 damage
User Melee damage + Level 50 Spirit Dustin Silver Knight Sword
(470.667~793.104) * 600% = 2824.002~4758.624 damage