I think why people really hate the 2h stab is because 2h is a popular class.
I'm sorry but your thinking is wrong: People don't hate the 2h stab because it is a popular class but they hate it because there is no counter for 2h stab.
cRPG combat mechanic is pretty dynamic. When you fight against two hander and he tries to attack you with swing, you can always try to encircle him. Overheads can be dodged too but when a two hander is holding his stab ready, what next? Take a pause and imagine situation where a two hander is holding his stab in front of you...
Next thing you can do is either try to attack him with stab too or have to wait holding down block ready until he makes another move. Really, when enemy is keeping his stab ready, this basically freezes the whole combat and there is absolutely nothing you can do against it. Stab or wait down block ready until the end of time. If you try to dodge 2h stab, two hander simply uses all his skill and rotates the stab 45 degree angle, then you will receive full 29p (+3 GGS) damage (plus speed bonus while you are running toward him).
Slightly off topic but imo affects greatly 2h stabbing: S key movement speed. After the latest patch, there are great number of 8+ ath players. That's fine, I'm not against agibuilds generally but when we know the concept of uncounterable 2h lolstab, it's a problem with high s key movement speed.
The s key movement speed is ridiculous high with 8-10 ath wearing light – medium armor that “normal” 6-7 ath builds simply can't reach him, not if the s keyer simply spamming brainlessly and using stab which you have to block. While you are holding your block, your own movement speed drops (yes, when s keyer keeps his stab ready, his movement speed drops too. I don't know the exact numbers) which makes catching him even harder. If you are finally in the reach of ready to hit him back after
blocking his stab, he decides to kick you and gets another free hit. I'd say much bullshit (and yes, I do this too, not proud of it
).
I don't want to only whine about game mechanics without giving my own thoughts. So my own suggestions are:
1. Change to Senni's new animation (
http://forum.melee.org/suggestions-corner/%28poll%29-replacement-2h-stab-anim/ I really would like to see this happen)
2. Easy and simply to implement: make stab block recovery time longer. When your pike stab is being blocked, there is not enough time to block next incoming hit. Maybe a little bit over-exaggerate but I want this to be the case also with 2h stab. No more running around while holding stab attack without risk. <Troll> Want to be good in 2h duel? Try this: left swing and immediately stab while s keying, repeat until your opponent is dead </Troll>
3. After the latest patch, reconsideration about str requirements for Great Swords could be in place. Maybe GS ~22, DGS & GGS ~24(?). Currently str requirements are too low and all longer weapons are can be used with 9-10 ath. (LVL35, 18-30, PS6, ATH10, WM4 [143 wpf])
tl;dr version2h lolstab is bullshit because there is no counter