[Blackguard] 2H only?

[ToXoS]

Hi!

I tried the BG, I'm only level 12 but I already think it's a great class.
But, here's the thing: I only play as a 2H BG.

I know I'll never be a true mdps, and I'm ok with that, because no mdps will be able to fit the way I play.
That's how I see things: shield tanks are just...well...tanks. Purely defensive. But a 2H tank?

To me, 2H tanks are the line-breakers, the shock troops that is needed between the shield tanks and the mdps.
I plan to play as a 2H BG even in end-game pvp and pve. But is it a "viable" option in long-term?

And what proportions of toughness, wounds and strength do I need to play as a 2H BG?

I saw some nice path of malice builds on anothers topics, so I'm not gonna ask for it here.

[KikkL]

Hey I have some experience with BG. First of all dont listen to the people who say its ineffective.
This is based from my way of playing not anyone else.

I believe there is a dps core tactic at lvl13? It increases your dmg with reduced armor.
If you want to go offense focus on str/dex,wds. Use taunt combined with Rank 1 morale(armordebuff+DoT) for a burst in dps.
Another good combo is the AoE weapon slash combined after Morale 2 dps AoE attack.

Even on my dps build I focused on def somewhat. I went up the tree line that has the shield(bubble) and eventually self heal. It also contains a tactic that healers debuff wont work on you and an ability that makes the opponent spend extra AP. And i believe there is a 10%crit tactic in the melee dmg tree line.

Its up to you how def/off you wanna be. Work on assisting other dps to take down someone. Use your shout to detaunt multiple enemies. BG is one of my fav chars in the game.

[Roggit]

But is it a "viable" option in long-term?

Every option is viable as long as it makes sense to you - if you are having fun and feel useful that's enough . But I guess you will get "only retard would play 2h BG, you don't get 5s kd - the best kd in the game!" in a couple of posts. I'd ignore those. I saw few very good and useful 2h BGs back in live, so it used to be viable. Probably will be here too.

And what proportions of toughness, wounds and strength do I need to play as a 2H BG?

That all depends if you want to solo, or duo with dps/dok, or play as a part of group, is your guardee squishy or rather tough, probably you want different proportions for different cases. Just practice, see if you are too weak to kill some, too squishy to survive, or just your healers have no time to react on target swap / morale dump. Normally you'd want at least as much strength as needed for not being parried/blocked too often, and quite a bit of toughness to compensate for lack of shield. The rest depends on your playstyle.

[Shadowgurke]

That's how I see things: shield tanks are just...well...tanks. Purely defensive.

A shield tank can be offensive. Gear/tactics make you do damage, not 2h/SnB

To me, 2H tanks are the line-breakers, the shock troops that is needed between the shield tanks and the mdps.

That is not how the game works. Tanks, regardless of weapon choice are always guardbots first and "shock troops" second. If you mdps is not breaking the line than neither should you. If there is no mdps to guard then you can consider charging in.

I plan to play as a 2H BG even in end-game pvp and pve. But is it a "viable" option in long-term?

It's not as viable as shield tank but it's not horrible

[Ninepaces]

crimson death is almost a worthy tradeoff to losing best kd in the game. Imo the biggest loss is hold the line... it means if rdps open up on you you have no defense except running away or out of los or hoping healers arent asleep.

offense or defense is up to you. At the 6v6 level 2h is going to struggle...BG already had it hard vs BO as the 2nd tank even WITH the shield. In oRVR an offensive 2h bg has enough tools to be effective, but you have either play cautiously/with support like an mdps or tank up with 100% defensive stats becaues you will attract attention. But don't be disheartened, crimson death and furious howl means you will always contribute to rvr fights even if you do nothing else.

[Ramasee]

Essentially you are gaining 10% block strikethrough, +10% critical chance (50% uptime), and small amount of extra damage from the dps of the 2h vs a 1h.

You are losing a small amount of damage mitigation passively (from base block rate of shield), Hold the Line, and a 5s knockdown.

That's the only difference between an offensively geared/tactic blackguard that uses a two-hander versus a one hand + shield.

[ToXoS]

Thanks to all of you for your advices.

The 5sec KD is Spiteful Slam right? In the carreer builder http://waronlinebuilder.org/#career=bg; it just says this ability needs block, not a shield.

[Luicetarro]

Block = Block from a shield.
Weapon does Parry.

[TenTonHammer]

I'm sorry what? Are you guys for real? Are you really saying that crimson death is a worthy trade off for losing your shield? And with it acess to the longest duration knock down in the game with reduced surviveabilty, the utility of hold the line?

I'm on my phone so I'm not going to bother qutoing all the misinformation spread so far
Firstly the lvl 13 tactic that was spoken of is called focused offensive, and it is one of the worst tactic in the game you lose 30% of your armor and become as squishy as an mdps for a measly 15% increase in dmg it's an awful trade off

Second let me show you why everyone on live went DPS Bg with an SnB inserted of a 2h


This is the DPS Bg spec with snb
http://waronlinebuilder.org/#career=bg; ... :894:0:905:


Now this is the endgame 2h Bg spec
http://waronlinebuilder.org/#career=bg; ... :894:0:905:

The only reason that you go 2h Bg is to get crimson death, if you don't get it then there is no reason to go 2h but crimson death is a poor trade off for the lack of a shield
A 5s duration 10% crit debuff is a poor trade off for losing your 5s kd, surviveabilty with the block and the utility of dodge and disrupt with hold the line


2h Bg as it is right now is nonviable compared to dps spec SnB Bg and no the damage mitigation from block is not small when you consider how much block precent chance you can get with renown and gear (eaisly minimum 20%). And block strikethrough is generally a useless bonuse since you shouldnt even be attacking tanks in the first place espically not their shielded fronts

[ToXoS]

Now I'm level 16, I use a shield and it's really better, and I'm more useful that way.
As you said, for now I can't get crimson death, but I'm still gonna try it when I'll be able to.