With 0 athletics, if you play in Siege you will be marvelous, but in battle your 12PS 11IF build will have to "predict" the future a bit to avoid being left behind. Stay in the thick of things near the front, never stop to do anything that can leave you behind (even if it is to finish off someone).
agreed. near zero athletics, will get you surrounded and ganked 24/7. since long maul or great maul is mostly killing support build, you have to move with an acceptable speed to be in the right place at the right time. and example a great maul will 1-2hit most of the time... with 8PS or 12PS. with 12PS you have indeed better damage. but with 8PS and some athletics+profiency, you will have better speed bonus and faster footwork + blocking speed.
another thing. with 3 agi, 1ath and heavy armor, almost all players will stay away your weapon range simply backpedaling. i would ever never go under 3-4 athletics for a decent damage dealer in battle.
my main 2hander build go with mallet and claymore (24/15 at level 29 and 27/15 at level 32) with only maxed PS WM ATH and 2 spare points on IF. wearing medium armor (studded leather over mail) and 5ath, i have some decent speed to quicky take down retreating shielders, decent swing speed to use the mallet on slower axes, poleaxes, bardiches, good footwork to be where team needs to, decent movement to not be surrounded so easly.
