one/two handed weapons

[episom]

I'm about to train 2hb on my monk, and some questions arise:

Is it worth the effort? I remember having read that end game the 2hb dps is higher. How hard core end game are we talking here?

How do you evaluate 2h weapons? I noticed there's no damage modifier for levels, so computing the ratio (delay/damage) should be it to compare 2hb weapons?

Since there are no dmg modifiers the weapon stays the same all levels (talking theoretically here since we all strive to 65 where it doesn't matter anymore), and equal ratio weapons do about equal damage.
I then assume that slower weapons (high delay) are preferrable over fast weapons, giving less opportunity to receive riposte damage and maybe less hate?

And about one handed/dual wield:

In EQ the guideline for max dps was like fast weapon main hand, high damage weapon offhand. I've heard SoD is different regarding offhand. Is there any rule of thumb?


And finally I'd welcome suggestions regarding log parsers to figure out dps. Which is "best"?

 

[Arcen]

You will be using 2hb pretty often through your career. Even when it isn't a better dps then 2 1hers, for a couple reasons:
Agro - Monks put out a very hefty amount of dps, and can infact be tanks in quite a few zones. And with the assist penalty for feigning, you don't want to fd unless you have to.
Damage Shield - You will eat yourself alive if you use 1hers on a damage shielded mob. I have seen rogues die to the ds on seductress in only a couple seconds due to her ds.

So yes, train 2hb, you will use it.

As far as evaluating, we don't know the exact formulas for dps, and are somewhat discouraged to figuring it out (If we ever did, I would place a 10kpp bet that wiz would change it shortly after...).

To determine which is better, go parse yourself on 1000 mobs /w 2hb, then another /w your 1h, use the better of the 2.

Slower weapons are a bit preferable (for agro) when your not the tank, but only if the 2 weapons have the exact same dps. Ratio >>>>>> anything else.
For riposte, you should be in the back of the mob. If your tanking, hopefully you have a nice 2hb that does agro (hint, theres a nice one from the easiest guy in prison..).

The reason for fast weapon > slow weapon in main hand on live was due to the dmg bonus. Here, it is best ratio in main hand, until you finish ambidexterity.

Each parser has its own pluses and minuses... choose one that you understand. It wont matter, since you should only compare your parses to other parses you create.

 

[Wesell]

I'll add a couple of things to Arcen's post.

On the subject of comparing the DPS of two one handed weapons to one two handed weapon there are two factors that effect this that have not yet been mentioned. One: completing the Melee Mastery AA will make double attack never fail for the primary hand, but the secondary hand still has a less than 100% chance to double attack. Two: two handed weapons have an innate damage bonus; official numbers have not been released, but based upon my parses I'd guess it's in the range of 2% - 4%.

The best way to determine which weapon is superior for DPS is to parse, as Arcen stated. It's definitely worth the effort to maintain a high skill in two-handed blunt as it is very likely that you will want to use a two handed weapon at least some of the time for tactical reasons, the DPS, or for the stats/resists.