Yeah, 1handed weapons need a shield to be effective and the combo cost a lot... But sidesword is the top tier weapon so it should cost a lot, i don't see problem with this.
Also, it's the last weapon in 1hander category, i guess it have to be good (for example like a flamberge in 2h category) it's true that it's a very fast weapon for such damages (i don't even talk of heirloom version). Since scymi have been nerfed no-one use it, and speed is a key for 1hander, so everyone use sidesword.
I can understand that it's disturbing for 2hander spammers that were used to pwn 1handers, they can't anymore. But good 2handers don't have issue with spamsword, even less if the 1hander try to spam them (backpedal, slash, he's dead) and they are not that fast, you have time to counter attack.
I don't use sidesword, i don't like the design and it cost too much for such uglyness, but i don't find it op.
@ Vibe : i don't see how 1hander have a better k/d. Sure it's easier to survive (arrows) and shield can deal with multiple enemies. But in a battle, 1handers slash foe 2 or 3 times, then a 2h/pole finish the job, or 1h concentrate the block on his shield and a 2h/pole kill the foe in 1 or 2 hit. 2h/pole deal way more damages, then more kills, then better k/d.
But it's'true that we see more and more good skill players using 1h+shield, not only noobs. Ppl think less that the real good players are the one who know to block and we see new 1h build.
But there are very few 1handers that top the scoreboard, ex: RXN, Cyber, Dima(only one using sidesword but for his clan style).
