Greatsword Build Help

[Mallets]

After buying a Danish Greatsword on my Main, whose a Polearm Build... I kind of fell in love with it.  So I've decided I'm going to make a STF character that's a 2-Handed Build.  So I now I need you folks help!

Basically two questions I need help with?  One, which build do I use (Agility or Strength)?  And two, which Greatsword do I purchase?

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Ok, so for some reason... I'm really wanting to go with an Agility Build for my 2-Hander.  I know AGI Builds do less damage.  But for some reason, I like the idea of having 170+ WPF and being able to swing my Greatsword faster than most players.  But it may be such minimal increase in speed (compared to having 140 WPF), that it won't really affect anything.  Plus I'm a rookie, and my not be able to take advantage of the better swing speed anyways.  I may sound like a huge noob saying all this... so let me just shut up and show you my builds... and then let you guys have your say.

I basically have 3 builds I'm about to ask you folks opinion on.  Two are Agility Build, and one is a Strength Build.  The two AGI builds are about the same (one has more HP, the other more Athletics).  If you guys think the AGI builds are better, I'd love an opinion on which of the two you think are stronger.  And I'm really just giving the STR Build as a reference... just to have something to compare the AGI Builds to.  Anyways, here's the 3 builds.

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Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 15
Agility: 24
Hit points: 54

Skills to attributes: 8

Ironflesh: 2
Power Strike: 5
Shield: 0
Athletics: 8
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 8

Two Handed: 173

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Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 15
Agility: 24
Hit points: 60

Skills to attributes: 8

Ironflesh: 5
Power Strike: 5
Shield: 0
Athletics: 5
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 8

Two Handed: 173

I tend to favor Build #1 over #2.  The 8 Athletics just seems like it'd be awesome!  It and the 173 WPF are what make me want to go an AGI build.  You could run most ranged guys down.  And I'm sure it's a great advantage to footwork.  But I'm new, and super (I mean really) suck at footwork... so it won't really be an advantage to me in that aspect.

The other thought is that 5 Athletics is plenty enough, and that I should go 5 Iron Flesh to give me another 6 HP... for a total of 60 HP.  In which case, #2 would be better.  And being OCD, I do tend to like my HP to be rounded off to the nearest 5 (i.e. 55, 60, 65, etc.).  I know that's crazy, but it's the truth.

Now for the Strength Build.

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Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 27
Agility: 12
Hit points: 74

Skills to attributes: 8

Ironflesh: 6
Power Strike: 9
Shield: 0
Athletics: 4
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 4

Two Handed: 140

Basically I threw out this STR Build just as a reference.  I know I could meet somewhere in the middle and do a 24/15 or 21/18 build.  But I just wanted to show the two extremes, and simply get you folks opinion on STR or AGI.

Of course the STR Build will do more damage and have more HP.  But I will also swing my Greatsword slower (with less WPF), as well as run slower.

Now another plus of the STR Build is the use of Mauls for Crushthroughs and Knockdowns.  And that could be a pretty big bonus.  Carrying a Greatsword and a Maul could be a deadly combination!!!


So which build should I go with?  And please critique a build you choose if it'll help me out!

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I know the simple answer is the Danish Greatsword.  It does seem the best.  But it is the most expensive to purchase.  And the even bigger factor... it's the most expensive to upkeep.  And coupled with at least medium armor... I'd be looking a pretty expensive upkeep bill (for a new player still needing to build his funds).  So let's look at some alternative Greatswords.

So let me throw out 3 other Greatswords.  I'll compare each of them to the Danish GS as a reference, seeing that many feel it's the best.  I'd really love your opinions on which you think is the best... or which GS you simply prefer to play with.

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Pros:  Best length
Cons:  Most expensive Upkeep, No sheath

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speed rating: 92
weapon length: 124
thrust damage: 24 pierce
swing damage: 40 cut

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Pros:  Minimal better speed (by 1), Upkeep is cheaper
Cons:  Shorter length (by 3)

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speed rating: 93
weapon length: 121
thrust damage: 23 pierce
swing damage: 40 cut

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Pros:  Best swinging damage (better by 3), Cheaper upkeep, Looks amazing, Has neat sheath
Cons:  Shortest length (by 7)

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speed rating: 92
weapon length: 117
thrust damage: 22 pierce
swing damage: 43 cut

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Pros:  Cheapest Upkeep
Cons: Minimal less swinging damage (by 1), Shorter length (by 4)

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speed rating: 92
weapon length: 120
thrust damage: 22 pierce
swing damage: 39 cut

So with all that easy info at your fingertips... which do you think is better?

Here's my thought.  I'd go with the Highland Claymore, no questions asked if it wasn't for it being so much shorter (by 7).  If it was slower, but only near the same length, I wouldn't even question it.  I think it looks awesome... hilt, guard, pommel, sheath, and all.

So saying "No" to the Claymore... I'm left with a choice between the Sword of War and the Heavy Great Sword (against the Danish GS).  It's a tough one between these two.  The Heavy GS only has 1 less in speed, length, & damage... and it's cheaper, so less upkeep.  That seems like a no brainer.  But in truth, it's only 1,200 gold cheaper.  That's going to amount to minimal upkeep difference.


Your thought may be like mine... why not just buy the Danish GS, bite the bullet on the Upkeep, and have the satisfaction in knowing you have the best GS.  But I guess what I'm asking here is... do you folks really think the Danish GS is the best?  Or is there some differing opinions out there?  If so, I'd love to hear them.

[k4ts0u]

I ll give you my newb pov on that matter.I ve played 3 generations by now but i have done some research on gs builds because i am focusing on that.

Regarding the builds there is not any "best" build. Each one have their advantages and disadvantages. I have played str builds by now 24/15 mostly and i found that ok. 5 Athletics are decent but you should not chase people and stick with the grp. The dmg output is rly nice and you can sacrifice wpm points for more health if you like. I will test the 18/21 build next gen because i want to see the agi side as well. If i were you i wouldnt choose 15/24 because i think it has rly low dmg but thats up to you. To sum up you should test both and figure yourself which playstyle you prefer.

As for the weapon choise you can add the Great Sword to your list.

[BlackMilk]

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 15
Agility: 24
Hit points: 60
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 5
Power Strike: 5
Shield: 0
Athletics: 8
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 5
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 148
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

...

[Xant]

Athletics and PS are the most important things in the game -- always have them maxxed. Personally I'd take this over any of those builds.

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 18
Agility: 24
Hit points: 53
Skills to attributes: 14
Ironflesh: 0
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 0
Athletics: 8
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 3
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 133

[Fartface]

Blackmilk his build is good.
However i usualy go 15/27.
3 if
5 ps
9 ath
No wm is needed if you go detic 2hander.
Or 39/3
3 if.
13 ps.
1 ath.

[Vibe]

I see full WM builds are a thing of the past for EU too.

[Stabby_Dave]

You can never go wrong with 21/18 or 18/21 builds.

As Xant said always max out PS and Ath and then spread the other points out between IF and WM depending on preferences.

[Fartface]

only went full wm when i was lvl 33 , on my 15/27 build:P

[Vibe]

only went full wm when i was lvl 33 , on my 15/27 build:P

Yeah maxing WM is quite useless... but a voice inside me tells me I should max it every time. Don't know why.

[rustyspoon]

I've been having a lot of fun with this build:

Strength: 21
Agility: 21
Hit points: 62
Skills to attributes: 14
Ironflesh: 3
Power Strike: 7
Shield: 0
Athletics: 7
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 0
Two Handed: 111

You're reasonably strong and fast. The best of both worlds. I've been using a plain old bastard sword with this build. It's hilarious how fast you are.

[Mallets]

Awesome info guys!  Thanks... very helpful!

So basically the consensus I'm getting is that WPF matters the least (compared to Power Strike & Athletics).  That's good to know, cause basically all 3 of my builds were built around high WPF (especially the AGI Builds).  I thought having a high WPF would give a big advantage to your weapon swing speed.  But apparently, it's very minimal... and damage and maneuverability are much more important.

I'll re-work my build(s), and get back with you guys.  Once again, much appreciated!

[Fartface]

Full wm will only work when you go like katana spam , thing is with like 178 2h wpp and 9 ath my german greatsword his thrust were horrible to fight agains realy.

[IceManX]

First, u will not have the "Great Maul" and a Sword together. Great Maul has a req. of 3 Slots and Sword has 2. Great Maul also is the Maul with the 21 Strength Requirement.

Aim for the Danish or for the Sword of War. Heirloom them to Masterwork. I am owning a Masterwork Danish, but if I could decide again I would take the Sword of War. It has a Speed of 94 masterworked - which is rly fast for a Longsword like this!
And yes this speed is noticeable.

Test out a build perhaps with a toon and make it to lvl 30.
Also u can test with ur Main and then Respecc or when u have lvl 31 retire.

I dont know where u play, I only play on EU-Servers and most people are using builds with more Agi than Strength.
Only ones that use high Str are the ones that use a Maul often/sometimes (like me).

Go for 21/18 is u wanna use a Maul and want to have a little bit more dmg and health. Or go for 18/21 if u wanna be a little bit faster (u will also make dmg and have durability).

But dont try out a build like 24/15... u will be rly slow compared to the others. The dmg between 18/21 is noticeable, but with 24/15 u will be outspammed and outwalked by the Agi-Builds. Thats why u should better take 21/18, the difference between dmg and speed is not so big.

Or u try an Agi build like 15/24, u will be fast as hell, but the dmg is rly low.

In short:
21/18
18/21
15/24
If u wanna be someday lvl 33-34 u can try to max out the stat was is missing u.
Like 21/21, 18/24, or even 15/27

I am planning on going to lvl 33 and then having a build with 21/21 (5 Inf, 7PS, 7Ath, 7WM)

And one last important thing:
Always max out the PowerStrike, Athletics and the Weaponmaster.
Its stupid having 24 Agi and not having the 8WM or 8Ath and so on ;)

[Xant]

IceMan gives some really bad advice. You will never ever get "outspammed" by anyone as long as you know how to play, certainly not if you have a 24-15 build. Maxing weaponmaster is not very smart either. You can max weaponmaster or get 1 extra athl or PS. Maxxed WM is a nice extra but the 0.001% faster swingspeed and 0.5 extra damage isn't worth it compared to the other stuff you could get. I still like taking 3ish WM, since it's not completely useless, mainly because of the extra damage. But the more points you have, the more it'll cost to raise it.

And the benefits are linear. You get as much damage/swingspeed from a jump to 70 wpf from 50 as you do from a jump to 170 from 150. Only difference is that the former costs like 20 wpf points and latter costs 200.

[Tore]

STR: 15
AGI: 27

5 PS
9 ATH
3 VM or IF