Well if it doesn't get addressed soon, I'm going to have to conform to the STR mania. A lot of players seem to be crutching on strength hard and for a reason: it's a lot easier when you can take 6 held and properly aimed hits, plus when the sweet spot window is like a 100% longer allowing you to basically never glance.
You just swipe all over the place, and if you're good with range control it doesn't matter if they guy has 13 athletics, just aim the center of the swing slightly to left/right depending on swing direction. Due to low wpf, your thrusts will even last longer and still hit effectively. He'll either run into your swing when trying to "jab" you (because if you have a 30/9 build and some nice heirloomed 80+ armour gear you take minimum damage, sometimes hits just glance too) or be forced to block/evade and stay out of range. Alternatively move in closer but then the risk of glancing is even higher. Meanwhile the bulldozing STR crutcher is just going to block/attack for ever.
And above would be the scenario of two equally competent two-handers, but one is heavy STR and the other is balanced. Like Vibe mentioned in this thread, the more strength you're packing the more effective each hit will be. Dispute it all you want, STR focus is not harder than balanced build. Both statistically and from my own perspective with 21/18 build. I take 3 hits maximum, sometimes 2 and the 30/9 build takes 5-6 proper hits. Are you fucking kidding? Do please, fucking explain, how on earth, is this not easier?
Even in battle, with 80+ armour, you're a monster in 1 v 2 situations. Shielders are like annoying bugs to you, just hit them once and they fucking vaporize from the sheer destructive force of your hits. Polearms on the other hand, can be a problem. But then again, when aren't they? Regardless of your build, a piker will still destroy you in 1 v 2-3 situation. You still take more hits as a high STR focus build than your average balanced 21/18-18/21.
Give me a sensible reason why STR is harder and I will gladly agree with you, but you better address all the cons. I'm sorry if I don't take you for your word that NA players pack high STR because they are skilled and they can chamber(wow!? chamber!?).