Wonder why Swordmasters rarely S@B?

[Danielle]

Whispering Wind allows your Slayers to spam Inevitable Doom which is a crazy damage increase in a warband. Crashing Wave gives 4s of immunity that can counter an expected AoE stagger or secure your own moral dump against CC. Blade enchantments are OK but not really that impressive. On the other hand the IB mostly doesn't even buff the whole group but only his oathfriend, while that's good in smallscale it's a disaster in large scale. What does the IB bring to the table in large scale outside of AP and a good potential morale dump that is better than a SM? Oath of Vengence is obsolete because of Knight toughness aura. AoE slow is also already provided by Knight.

[Karast]

SnB Swordmaster would still probably be the second tank of choice for an Order optimized 24-man warband over an IB together with a Knight. It actually provides more useful large-scale utility than the IB and they can both Hold the Line all the same.

IB vs SM is about even.

IB has group AP via told you so, and some good ST buffs that can really help a healer like a RP / AM with extra AP / Willpower. The can also do some nice dps S&B with rune edged axe + earth shatter. Axe-slam can also prove useful if somewhat situational for morale bombing.

If you are playing an AP hog having an IB in group helps you a lot more than SM, unless you can really take advantage of WW.

Neither compare to knight though unfortunately. Auras / stagger / super punt / M3 snare.

[CytheX]

Sm SnB is viable and efficent (ofc for the punt is better rely on kobs/ib)
but wods ED and full stat steal now are pretty awesome, and ofc 2h is cooler than the crappy face whit shield equipped
So thats why there are more 2h sm
Cant wait 70 to run WW ED BA build.

[Osred]

Heh, just wanted to sh1t on a rigging error. Ends up being a uitility discussion. Eh whatever, whatever generates discussion.

[Krima]

most SMs are using *edited name* op 2h build...thats why.

[Thamor]

most SMs are using *edited name* op 2h build...thats why.

Wouldn't agree saying it's *edited name* build as almost all decent/good SM players in this server are all veterans from live. I started playing SM from day 1 when the game was released.

[Marsares]

most SMs are using *edited name* op 2h build...thats why.

Agree with Thamor, it's not *edited name*'s build as it was long out there on Live. Plus, having a good build doesn't make you a good player. *edited name* is so offensively specced and is so singled-mindedly focussed on attacking, he's so easy to kill that it's laughable.

Nevertheless, one of the prime reasons that most SMs are 2-hander (other than that they're the best tank to go 2-hander) is that most players play PUG, and 2-hander is better suited as it can function well on its own and PUGs couldn't give a toss about group utility.

[th3gatekeeper]

Give them a spear weapon (like someone said on page 1) and you would see tons swap to SnB.

WW is pretty damn good...

I wonder if you made WoDS not require a 2H if that would change people's minds about SnB...

[peterthepan3]

How did nooone see through Krima's sarcasm? =P

[Amidala]

How did nooone see through Krima's sarcasm? =P

anyway...order side missed him