I feel like 2H is lacking in lots of ways.
If there are Potent Augments, why not Potent Components for 2H?
If not Potent then just double the effect of a component when applied to 2h stuff.
Yeah, smth as simple as Enchanted Flint or Vicious Spikes scales astonishingly on fast weapons, while it’s barely noticeable on 2handers. And if I want to convert damage I would get 15% less conversion than it’s possible with DW.
Even potent augments somehow do not add up, being roughly 80% of power of two non-potent counterparts, which may make sense for offensive ones, but what about defensive perks like +hp or resistances? Being penaltized on these doesn’t make any sense. Defensive perks on potent augments should be even or slightly better.
Not even mentioning Purified Salt + Imbued Silver, it’s plain less resistance for 2h.
2h isn’t terribly weak, but none of the super high end builds (except full ultos perhaps) being 2h is a sign.
Two handers alreadygot much higher base damage than one handed weapons, plus they receive more boni from affixes… they don’t need more advantages.
Of course they will have higher base damage. They take up two item slots and swing a lot slower than 1H.
Imagine 2x Sword vs 1x Greatsword.
2x Sword has the option of getting Oleron’s Blood AND Haunted Steel PLUS they can use 2x non-potent Augments. 1x Greatsword can only choose ONE component, whilst getting a Potent Augment.
Even 2x non-Potent Augment is better than 1x Potent.
e.g.
Outcast’s Might gives 35 Phys, 25 Pierce, and 200 health. Double that and you get 70, 50, and 400.
Potent Outcast’s Might gives 60 Phys, 48 Pierce, and 350 Health. Might not be much but remember that 2x Sword has one more Component than the Greatsword.
There are literally fewer benefits on 2H.
You have little opportunities for choices on builds.
It’s just harder to build around it.
And most of the time 2x1H or 1H+Shield is just miles better.
Look at the Classes and Builds page. When was the last time you saw a 2H build post?
With flat damage bonuses 1h weapons come close to 2hs in terms of base damage, which, coupled with attack speed penalty, leads to situations when a markovian/warborn shield build has the same sheet dps as a 2h build, give or take. While it’s nice, lets not forget that a shield build will have survivability 2h build could only dream of.