I spent way too much time writing this because I suck.

 

1: How do you decide which frontliners should use Two Weapons, and who should use Two Handed?

 

2: I don't think I've seen any builds that use One Handed. Is it not worth it?

 

3: Biggest question - I want my party members to have a wide variety of weapons. My only playthrough so far involved my frontline having all greatswords and everyone else just using whatever I thought looked neat. I missed out on a lot of great weapons as a result and I want to get as many as possible this time. The problem is mostly the Weapon Focus talents discouraging me from mixing and matching. Well, that and great swords being great.

 

I'm having the most trouble with Eder, Kana, Pallegina and Maneha. Can't figure out who should use two handed vs dual wield vs sword and board, or which weapons they should use in general.

 

Should I stick with one particular style, like two handed, or could I have a two hander and a sword+board on the side? Or would I be stretching myself too thin?

General rule: if you pick Full Attacks (Monk, Rogue, Fighter, Paladin and Barbarian have those) you should prefer dual wielding (if your focus is on damage dealing). And it's a beneficial to use heavier one handers in this case. Light weapons have better dps throughout the game when only looking at auto-attacks, but for the limited (per encounter use of) Full Attacks it's often better to use the heavier ones.

 

One handed weapon usage is good for the early game but falls a bit off later on, thus few people invest in it with Single Weapon Style.

 

Two Handed is great vs. high DR, ok with Full Attacks and good with Primary Attacks. With auto-attacks the dps is usually less than with a dual (light or heavy) weapon approach.

 

I would stick to a style and weapon focus. In a party everybody can have a different focus: one goes soldier and two handed style, the other ruffian and two weapon style and so on.

Edited September 27, 20187 yr by Boeroer

I appreciate the reply. It was helpful.

 

For Maneha, would you favour two handed or two weapons? More specifically, pike + great sword vs dual battle axes vs dual sabres.

 

What about Kana? I want to give him a shield to beef up his sturdiness, but I'm worried it would make enemies ignore him and rush the backline due to lack of damage.

For Maneha: depends on talent/ability choice. If you take Frenzy, Bloodlust and most importantly Blood Thirst I would use a weapon with high dmg per hit. For example Tidefall. Tidefall is one of the best damage-on-hot weapons in the game. Another great (really really great) option is to pick up and level the Belt of the Royal Deadfire Cannoneer and give her Forgemaster Gloves and summon Firebrand in every encounter (you'll have 6 uses per rest). Pick everything that gives bonus dmg (Two handed style, One Stands Alone and so on). Also Scion of Flame since it works with Firebrand.

 

If you want to focus on Heart of Fury you want dual sabres, all dmg bonuses, Two Weapon Style, Vulnerable Attack and a Ring of Searing Flames.

 

Kana is best with a small shield (Little Savior), hatchet, a really fat armor and the one and only phrase "The Dragon Thrashed" and nothing else. Give him gear that increases MIG, INT, a Ring of Overseeing and the amulet "Voice of the Mountaintop". Even if enemies run past him - they will be dead soon anyways...

Oh, and take Ancient Memory/Beloved Spirits and Veteran's Recovery. Makes him very sturdy.

Edited September 28, 20187 yr by Boeroer