TWF DPS Question

[pappo]

I am building an 18/1/1 Exploiter Ranger but I don't understand some things about TWF DPS. Right now I am level 8 (1 rogue/7 ranger) and have Tempest I done.

I have read where some people recommend using a Greataxe until lvl12 or so, and others who say to just use a kopesh or scimitar in the main hand, and shortsword in the off-hand until you can use two kopesh/scimitar at the same time ?????

What feats/enhancements do I need to have so I can use a kopesh or scimitar in both hands and get this "MAX DPS" these builds claim.

I am using a Carnifex greataxe now and am seeing 100 - 120 damage on crits, so I am doing some good damage right now, but this build is supposed to be a TWF build.

Thanks for any help.

[Bargol]

I am building an 18/1/1 Exploiter Ranger but I don't understand some things about TWF DPS. Right now I am level 8 (1 rogue/7 ranger) and have Tempest I done.

I have read where some people recommend using a Greataxe until lvl12 or so, and others who say to just use a kopesh or scimitar in the main hand, and shortsword in the off-hand until you can use two kopesh/scimitar at the same time ?????

What feats/enhancements do I need to have so I can use a kopesh or scimitar in both hands and get this "MAX DPS" these builds claim.

I am using a Carnifex greataxe now and am seeing 100 - 120 damage on crits, so I am doing some good damage right now, but this build is supposed to be a TWF build.

Thanks for any help.

THe problem any TWF build has a low levels, without the full TWF line is the penalty to hit with a non-light weapon in your offhand. On my TWF builds I take oversized TWF for the low levels, then switch it out later to something I want when the penalty isn't as much of an impact.

If you don't like that route....then make sure to only use a light weapon in your offhand I.e. shortsword.

[grodon9999]

On my TR I'm fairly certain I dumped the THF axe before level 12 . . . I think once you get tempest I and ITWF at level 6 I think you're safe to switch to TWF for most targets. Stick with a hand-axe or Short Sword for the off-hand weapon until your to-hit gets higher.

[t0r012]

no to ht penalty
+5 more Power attack damage
+ 1.5 str mod
=========
when you swing you hit and when you hit it dies
that is why they say swing 2handers early.

add to that no need to get two weapons for cost savings and being able to hold on TWF till level 3 to get PA at level 1 helps speed things up (less of an issue with vet start).

that and you don't "need" or even really have the better DPS with twf at lower levels. you aren't singing on a boss for 2 min straight that DPS would matter.

level 12 is debatable. for a ranger getting TWF line free latest I'd probably hold off is till 9 when I could grab improved crit that makes carnifex less appealing.

[yawumpus]

First, Carnifex is working best because Carnifex is simply by far the best weapon for ML<10. I suspect that a capped ranger would do better with an eSOS. Once you get improved critical and greater TWF, you should be ready to switch.

Second. Exploiter isn't "MAX DPS". Hasn't been for about a year. Both TWF and tempest in particular have been wacked with the nerf bat. Your best bets to recover the DPS are 12/1/7 ranger/monk/rogue for ACish builds and 12/1/7 ranger/rogue/fighter for rangers that get hit and hit back harder.

In general, TWF is all about weapon effects. You want as many weapon effects to proc as you can. This often means having plenty of weapons (and specific weapon sets) to have the right weapon for the right mob. Where possible, try to have things like icy burst and frost on your weapons (the straight 1-6 goes a long way, especially on weapons that either aren't used enough to justify icy, or lack the crit profile to make burst worth it).

[pappo]

On my TR I'm fairly certain I dumped the THF axe before level 12 . . . I think once you get tempest I and ITWF at level 6 I think you're safe to switch to TWF for most targets. Stick with a hand-axe or Short Sword for the off-hand weapon until your to-hit gets higher.

Thanks for the replies from everyone. I am using a shortsword now. I will see how that works.
I am thinking about using longswords, because of their higher damage over scimitars, until I get the Kopesh feat down the road. Any comments on that decision would be appreciated.

[k1ngp1n]

Thanks for the replies from everyone. I am using a shortsword now. I will see how that works.
I am thinking about using longswords, because of their higher damage over scimitars, until I get the Kopesh feat down the road. Any comments on that decision would be appreciated.

Since when do longswords do higher damage? Yeah, they have 1d8 instead of 1d6, but never lose sight of that crit profile.