Greatsword or Polearms?

[Mallets]

Ok, I know I've asked a bunch of question... sorry, but I have a few more because I've scraped the 1-hand/shield idea.  I played with a Voulge some tonight, and I really liked it.  So I'm wanting to go polearm.  But mind you, I want to fight with polearms that you can swing with (much like you would a 2-handed weapon).  The weapon I'm aiming for is the Long Bardiche (with Bonus Against Shields).

But I'm torn... and here's why.  From what I've watched 2-Handed Greatswords seem to hit easier than polearms (such as Voulge & Long Bardiche).  Greatswords, with their blades going down to the hilt, seem to make easier contact in close ranges, compared to polearms.  Do you guys find this true, or is it just me?  Mind you, I'm saying this off watching folks fight, I've never used a GS.  Of course I'd love to buy both and just try each out... but even the suck GS's are expensive (starting at 12k).

Also, my thinking behind going Polearm WPF is that I'd be more versatile.  I could use weapons like the Voulge, Great Long Axe, & Long Bardiche in melee combat as one would use most 2-handed weapon (swinging wildly).  But then I could also use spears effectively if needed to strike at a distance (against horses or in open field battles).  And I can even use the Long Hafted Spiked Mace for knockdown, or the Poleaxes for piercing damage against heavily armored guys.


So which is truly better for melee combat?  Which should I spend my money & wpf points on... a Greatsword (2-handed wpf) or Great Long Bardiche (polearm wpf)?

Mind you I'm a beginner, and suck at combat anyways.  The range of the Polearms might help me for now?  I'd think ultimately, the best melee fighters would use a GS, but I'm certainly no expert swordsman.  I actually rank below noob, if that's possible.

If only GS's weren't so expensive... I'd just try one out and stop aggravating you guys!  Thanks for any helpful info!!!

[Tore]

Go for polearms, get a bamboo spear and you favorite polearm

Realy nice, you can easly kill cav and strike from distance, and when enemies come close just take out for polearm.

Or if you want even more distance you can go pike/longspear and quarter staff.

[FRANK_THE_TANK]

Yeah I prefer the pole arms for there over all power and ability + pole stagger but I like the look of 2h.

Go pole arms.

[Cup1d]

Make STF character with this stats:

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 18
Agility: 21
Hit points: 59
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 3
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 0
Athletics: 7
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 7
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 120
Polearm: 133
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

Then go to Duel server. There are many people with different weapons, so you'll have a chance to find and try all what you want WITHOUT repairs (this works only on duel server)

Things that you MUST to try

Longsword\Heavy bastard sword (any of this)
Danish\German GGS (not a big difference)
Long hafted blade
War spear
Bec
Poleaxe and Elegant poleaxe

[BlindGuy]

Greatswords, with their blades going down to the hilt, seem to make easier contact in close ranges, compared to polearms. 

I stopped reading here: The model has no effect on the actual dmg given out, except to give anything with a curved blade or axe model the slight advantage of hitting sooner than you expect because the actual trigger is a straight line, usually lined up with the furthest "Forward" part of the model, running to the hands. This is especially evident with scimitars/poleaxe/GLA.

[Grumbs]

Above advice looks pretty solid. A lot of its just preference really so you should try it out yourself and then decide which areas you want to be strongest in. Both have their + and - points

2 handers are mostly faster and their animations reach further than a lot of polearms even though they're shorter. The stab is surprisingly long and can catch people when they may feel safe. You can spam side swings easier with 2 handers. In a straight duel 2 handers might be better, but its still just personal preference

The main thing I like about polearms is their versatility. You can play support with long poking weapons or take out a shield and be safer in group fighting and they have lots of long shield breakers for helping the team to take out turtlers. The polestagger is also useful for either finishing someone after 1 hit or getting a free hit in. You can even apply it from behind team mates with pikes/long spears/other spears

2 handers have the best crushthrough weapons. These for me are strong but they get boring to play with quite fast. Their shield breakers are all "unbalanced" which makes them less useful from a team perspective as its riskier to attack in group fights. Unbalanced doesn't bother everyone though. They do have some powerful knockdown/crushthrough weapons and theres a good selection of swords; fast, long, powerful or a mixture. 2 handers are generally faster on the side swings. Polearms have a very fast stab though and the polestagger

[BlameMeForTheNoise]

So which is truly better for melee combat?  Which should I spend my money & wpf points on... a Greatsword (2-handed wpf) or Great Long Bardiche (polearm wpf)?

Damn, If I had not spent all my money yesterday for Loompoints, I would have given you some 50.000, so you could experiment a bit.
Right now though I'm probably poorer than you are. ;)

[Kafein]

Take a 4 direction polearm. Max out you wpf. Congrats now you are an helicopter.

[Ronin]

In my opinion,
Two hands are fast and deal good damage and have cool animations. Also they look cooler when you swing and way more tricky. Good suited for all players. But an experienced player can use two hands to it's full potential only.

Polerams, are very versatile. Has good reach and damage, while they may missing a bit speed. Also all polearms have good specialties including polestagger and horsehalt (what a cool word I have just created). Additionally, they have a broader range of weapons in terms of diversity. Good suited for unexperienced fighters and all players overall. Even a newbie can use it to it's full potential.

I'd go for polearms, if I were you. Though two handers are also newbie friendly as well, and would make a good choice for a beginner. It's just, two handers become more deadly weapons at the hands of experienced players while polearms can become as deadly as two handers even if they are used by a beginner.

[Mallets]

Thanks guys for all the helpful info!  Much appreciated!  Pretty much ya'll confirmed what I thought about each weapon type (2-handed vs. polearm), but wasn't sure of because of lack of experience.

So I've decided to go Polearms.  I personally like being versatile & helping the team, over being the elite best at dueling.  Choosing polearms will allow me to take up several different roles.  Might even take some Horse Riding, and I'd be even more versatile.

Once again, thanks again for all the great info and help.

Well thanks to everyone except BlindGuy, who's kind of an idot.  Quoting him,

I stopped reading here.

Now quoting from my original post,

Do you guys find this true, or is it just me?  Mind you, I'm saying this off watching folks fight, I've never used a GS.

More like DumbGuy!!!  (That's the worst burn ever... sorry!)

[Dexxtaa]

I know this is late, but do what you want, to be honest.

And by what you want, I mean if your goal is to hit hard, look at the stats.

I personally pick stuff because it looks good. My goal in this game is to kill while looking like hot sex .

[Mallets]

I personally pick stuff because it looks good. My goal in this game is to kill while looking like hot sex .

I like your style!!!  I tend to feel the same way.  If you look like an idiot... why even step on the battlefield!

[Aleta]

If you use a polearm that actually deals some good damage, you will feel like you're hitting too slow in duels. People will be able to block your attacks very easily, so you will have to feint and hiltslash and stuff like that to win duels. But in group fights the polearm speed is just fine. Also if you're used to playing with a 2 hander the length of the polearm is hard to get used to. Stabs will be very short compared to the visible weapon length. So that was some disadvantages of polearms. Now for some advantages:

You can handle cavalry slightly better than 2handers. You have the ability to be awesome in group fights. People will often think that you are slower than you really are, and that you are unable to block. The weapons you can choose between are more different. Meaning that if you take a big axe, it will be a bit like a 2hander, but if you use a pike or swiss halberd it is very different.


As a conclusion I can tell you my story. My main was a 2hander, but I really wanted to play with big fat weapons with a lot of power, so I respecced to polearm. So now I have been playing from like lvl 20 or something up to lvl 30 with polearms. I really like polearms, but I have been using the war spear lately since I feel it's one of the few polearms with speed and some damage in the stab. I'd say the speed of most polearms is too low for 1 on 1 encounters and duels, which is one of my favorite parts of the game. So when I retire on 31 I am considering going back to 2handers, but I am not really sure yet. I at least know that I played a lot better as a 2hander, especially with the Danish Greatsword, but I think I am having equal amounts of fun with both class types. And it's fun that it's all about right?

[BlindGuy]

Thanks guys for all the helpful info!  Much appreciated!  Pretty much ya'll confirmed what I thought about each weapon type (2-handed vs. polearm), but wasn't sure of because of lack of experience.

So I've decided to go Polearms.  I personally like being versatile & helping the team, over being the elite best at dueling.  Choosing polearms will allow me to take up several different roles.  Might even take some Horse Riding, and I'd be even more versatile.

Once again, thanks again for all the great info and help.

Well thanks to everyone except BlindGuy, who's kind of an idot.  Quoting him,

Now quoting from my original post,
More like DumbGuy!!!  (That's the worst burn ever... sorry!)

Well, excuse me for trying to help you with actual information instead of saying: 2handers are good, pole is good too, like everyone else.

[Mallets]

Perfect response Aleta!!!  That's exactly what I wanted to hear... folks' own experiences!  Your info has been the greatest help.  I'm going polearms, mainly for the versatility.  And for the fact that they do well in group fights.  While a GS is great in duels... I'm new, and suck, and would just die anyways in one-on-one battles.  Also, the Greatswords are all very expensive.  That's a lot of up keep for a new player who's trying to make money and build up his arsenal.  Thanks again!!!


Blind, sorry... I was being a little dick-ish!  No problems man!