Are 2H swords the best at... anything?

For sub-mirror-tier 2-handers, I can't think of a single build that I would rather use a 2h sword for than an Atziri's Disfavour.

Advantages of axes over swords:
Earthquake (HUGE)
Sunder

Advantages of swords over axes:
Can theoretically get more per-hit damage by going crit

I can't think of any more, can anyone else?

Why can't 2h swords use Reave? Even if they could, I think one-handers would probably still carry the day for those builds, because dual-wielding or using a shield both have a lot of perks.
Why can't 2h swords use Whirling Blades? That would be a HUGE boost to the desirability of 2h swords, which would still be counterweighted by how ridiculously good Atzy's Disfavour is.
Why can't 2h swords use Earthquake? Are there any skills that can be used with a 2h sword but not an axe? Why are swords locked out of the best melee skill?

The only build I could imagine wanting a 2h sword over an axe might be Flicker Strike: you're already probably in Shadow near the crit nodes, and Flicker does want maximum per-hit damage, which crit would provide.

Anyway. I just thought of this because I want to use the Whirling Dervish as a skin transfer, but I couldn't think of any way to go 2h sword besides Oro's. Anyone else have any input? 2h swords feel unloved, but they look so cool (2h Whirling Blades would be awesome).

Viper Strike can't be used with axes. In fact, the only 2H weapons it can be used with are swords. Poison damage is based on your hit damage, so it seems like 2h swords would be the best option for viper strike - even better than daggers or claws. (Assuming you forget that binos exists...)

I think that's the only thing though.

Puncture too, but melee puncture is kinda meh.

There's one more small difference, swords roll elemental mods a bit easier than axes, which is admittedly a disadvantage if you want a phys weapon, depends what you need.

The crit argument is good, though, both 2H axes and swords have a crit variant but there's no axe crit support on tree while swords have more crit bonuses than claws.

But yeah, not even that is insanely popular so there isn't a large selection of good rare weapons on offer because nobody tries to roll them, and swords don't have a high level counterpart to Disfavour.

Got a few base crafts that I did myself, they would probably be usable

They are the best for spectral throw, as they objectively look best.

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deathspenalty wrote:

They are the best for spectral throw, as they objectively look best.

Thanks for reminding me. I got absolutely no idea why 2H swords have less range than 2H axes or rapiers. Which means axes are also better for ST and Cyclone.

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raics wrote:

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deathspenalty wrote:

They are the best for spectral throw, as they objectively look best.

Thanks for reminding me. I got absolutely no idea why 2H swords have less range than 2H axes or rapiers. Which means axes are also better for ST and Cyclone.

Honestly, they are only good for 2h crit builds. For anything else you probably want to go axe mace or staff. And even for crit builds they have to compete with hegemony.

Queens Escape is good. It tripled clear speed of my summoner. Try doing that with a 2 handed axe!.

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raics wrote:

Puncture too, but melee puncture is kinda meh.

There's one more small difference, swords roll elemental mods a bit easier than axes, which is admittedly a disadvantage if you want a phys weapon, depends what you need.

The crit argument is good, though, both 2H axes and swords have a crit variant but there's no axe crit support on tree while swords have more crit bonuses than claws.

2H elemental builds DansGame

I guess one advantage is that there are 2 large damage clusters for swords, next to marauder and ranger, but who has the points to take 2 large damage wheels? The nodes aren't extraordinary, in fact I think they're slightly subpar :/

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raics wrote:

Puncture too, but melee puncture is kinda meh.

There's one more small difference, swords roll elemental mods a bit easier than axes, which is admittedly a disadvantage if you want a phys weapon, depends what you need.

The crit argument is good, though, both 2H axes and swords have a crit variant but there's no axe crit support on tree while swords have more crit bonuses than claws.

But yeah, not even that is insanely popular so there isn't a large selection of good rare weapons on offer because nobody tries to roll them, and swords don't have a high level counterpart to Disfavour.

Got a few base crafts that I did myself, they would probably be usable

The phys damage variant is good, for elemental damage you simply can't compete with one-handers, they have a crushing attack speed advantage and can be dual wielded for even more attack speed.


@OP: 2H physical sword crit with an exquisite blade similar to Raics's one.

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Bars wrote:

The phys damage variant is good, for elemental damage you simply can't compete with one-handers, they have a crushing attack speed advantage and can be dual wielded for even more attack speed.

Yeah, 2H weapons make up for lower attack speed with higher ele rolls, however once you add in external sources of flat damage they start to lose the battle. Yeah, who would of thunk that an ele build would want to stack additional ele damage, makes no sense, right?

Probably the same kind of person that would expect a 2H weapon to be stronger, not break even in best case scenario.