[BG] 2h question

[Aebel]

Am I assuming right that as a 2h BG (mostly playing sc with the odd bit of WB) I'm supposed to still be aiming for tanking gear? I assume I'll never do enough damage to really be a threat as a BG, and that I'm more there for my debuffs and for juicing up a dps with my dark protector on top of normal tank duties (guard, taunt, etc.)

[Sever1n]

Bg can create pretty big dmg pressure on low armored targets tnx to detaunt ignore tactic. If u invest crit u also can get pretty big crit chance boost from crimson+tactic. But ofencive builds lower your survival a lot so they need to be used depending on what u want from game and who you have to cover your back. Pure crit will work in smallscale but you will not survive in mass rvr in that.

[Aethilmar]

There are 4 distinct phases to a tank's life in this game (T2+)

Sub 40 bolstered: Can do some crazy stuff if you tweak your gear right. Enjoy it because soon you'll be level 40 and ...

40 rr 40-60: Just wear a shield, you and everyone around you will be happier.

40 rr 60-75: You are now somewhat to very durable with shield. Can start experimenting with 2H without being a total liability if you have gear. Still probably want shield in warband. Toss up if you are better 2H or shield in a scenario.

40 rr 75+: You can now go tanky-tank if you want via shield or do moderate to high damage with 2H (for a tank). You can run in a warband with or without shield (although the "top" warbands will want you with shield). Will be more useful as a 2H in scenarios if you have right gear (e.g. something like 4 invader + 4 off sov).

[Aebel]

There are 4 distinct phases to a tank's life in this game (T2+)

Sub 40 bolstered: Can do some crazy stuff if you tweak your gear right. Enjoy it because soon you'll be level 40 and ...

40 rr 40-60: Just wear a shield, you and everyone around you will be happier.

40 rr 60-75: You are now somewhat to very durable with shield. Can start experimenting with 2H without being a total liability if you have gear. Still probably want shield in warband. Toss up if you are better 2H or shield in a scenario.

40 rr 75+: You can now go tanky-tank if you want via shield or do moderate to high damage with 2H (for a tank). You can run in a warband with or without shield (although the "top" warbands will want you with shield). Will be more useful as a 2H in scenarios if you have right gear (e.g. something like 4 invader + 4 off sov).

Does this hold true to Black Guards and Sword Masters as well? I thought most of their value was in the utility their 2h builds brought

[Aethilmar]

There are 4 distinct phases to a tank's life in this game (T2+)

Sub 40 bolstered: Can do some crazy stuff if you tweak your gear right. Enjoy it because soon you'll be level 40 and ...

40 rr 40-60: Just wear a shield, you and everyone around you will be happier.

40 rr 60-75: You are now somewhat to very durable with shield. Can start experimenting with 2H without being a total liability if you have gear. Still probably want shield in warband. Toss up if you are better 2H or shield in a scenario.

40 rr 75+: You can now go tanky-tank if you want via shield or do moderate to high damage with 2H (for a tank). You can run in a warband with or without shield (although the "top" warbands will want you with shield). Will be more useful as a 2H in scenarios if you have right gear (e.g. something like 4 invader + 4 off sov).

Does this hold true to Black Guards and Sword Masters as well? I thought most of their value was in the utility their 2h builds brought

I think it holds for them as well. I have a 86 SM (2H), 81 Chosen (2H), 70 Knight (S&B) and 64 BG (S&B). Until very recently I was going 2H with BG for lore and stubbornness. But compared to my other, more geared tanks he just got splatted way too much which means any other utility never even got to be used. I'm not even considering 2H on him again until I can at least get into partial Invader. I will note that from the other direction, I love seeing 6x 2H tanks in RvR. They are just easy kills.

Bottom line, just like dead heals can't heal, dead tanks can't tank. You always want to be survivable "enough" and then start worrying about focusing on any other utility. But good news is stick with it and you will eventually get to where 2H feels really good and people will start complaining about 2H tanks being OP.