I was asked how to play 2 hands when fresh 40.
Well, no matter what you do, it’s gonna be hard.
I’d suggest you equip a shield for some time, but if you absolutely want to go for 2H, then this is how I’d do it.
Gear :
Helm : Conqueror
Shoulders : Redeye
Body : Conqueror
Gloves : Conqueror
Belt : Conqueror
Boots : Redeye
Cloak : Redeye
Jewelry 1 : Winds Impervious Chain
Jewelry 2 : Winds Impervious Seal
Jewelry 3 : Winds Impervious Band
Jewelry 4 : Rough Gunbad Ruby
Both Hands : Earthsplit (or Earthshatter if you can)
Talismans : 6 Wounds / 1 Toughness
Earthsplit is a T4 epic quest reward (Unmasking the Enemy) so it’s easy to get.
Of course if you get the C/T influence, upgrade to Earthshatter.
The Winds Impervious set is a T4 tome unlock set you can read about here.
Redeye cloak can be a bit long to get but this setup is much better than Beastlord in my opinion (you can buy a Ravack’s cloak at the AH while farming Gunbad for Redeye).
You will do no damage, at all, but you’ll provide single target buffs and good control, while being able to survive, which should be your first priority as a fresh 40.
Tactics :
1 – Rugged
2 – Ancestral Inheritance
3 – Powered Etching
4 – Punishing Knock
Professor Cake :
2 defensive tactics and 2 utility tactics.
You are very squishy as a fresh 40, and you cannot apply pressure if you are squishy, they’ll just turn on you and kill you in 2 seconds.
So I think going for a tanky/utility build is the best at that stage.
Rune-Etched Axe with Powered Etching is very annoying for destro, punt plus non dispellable snare is the best way to save your guardee from an angry melee mob.
Punishing Knock debuff is always very strong, when you can apply it.
Renown :
Masteries :
Playstyle :
This build is best when guarding a rDPS.
It is not mean to be played as a frontliner, it can be done when no other tank is available for the job, but it’s not it’s strong point.
This is a “sweeper” build.
Excels in the backline, CCing and softening “divers” (mostly WE and 2H tanks, but also flanking Marauders for exemple) so your DPS can get rid of them.
Try to hit them in the back or they will parry everything due to your low strenght.
Get involved in the fight as fast as possible to start building morale.
Swapping Guard and rotating challenge, KnockDown, punt with snare, and M2 below will save countless lives.
Once enemy (they usually go by pair) divers are eliminated, change to a pushing playstyle, ignoring tanks and DPS (you do no damage anyways remember) to go and taunt/punishing knock healers.
Skill usage :
Try to alternate crowd control or debuffs with grudge-costing buffs.
That way, you can maintain buffs/debuffs and use your control abilities without running out of AP.
Do not be afraid to pause to keep a good amount of AP, until you use Watch An’ Learn.
This is when you blow up your AP.
Cake’s Thoughts :
It’s almost impossible to play the offensive 2 hander at low RR level.
Up till level 39 in scenarios, no problem.
But when you reach CR40 you become much, much squishier.
With this setup you have :
– VERY good armor vs physical damage
– VERY good resists vs magical damage
– Good Dodge/Disrupt
– Okay amount of health
– Parry is lackluster but it’s hard to fit in everything with low RR
This is a good build for scenarios at this level if you want to play 2H.
Just be sure not to tunnel vision the enemy healers, you do no damage anyways, you’ll never kill anyone.
Stay close to your guardee and help your party to the maximum.
Cake's Plan 