However, 2H has one MAJOR advantage over DW for melee characters, and that's superior reach. The reason that Cleaving with a big sword is so much more effective than cleaving with two 1hs is that the Cleave area of effect is much larger. Even with non-AoE melee abilities, the 2h's longer melee reach can be a significant advantage for fighting other melee creatures.
I don't think there's been any evidence of this so far in beta. At least there's been no discussion about it, which I take as a proof of inexistence. I would really like this mechanic myself, but it probably to fell into Blizzard's category of "not a fun thing to manage".
I mean, obviously a Flamberge apparently (graphically) reaches "longer" than a pair of Hand Axes, but the actual skill range feels pretty much the same.
Any videos/screenshots or links to a discussion on this?
Equip Cleave with a 1her versus a 2her and it is pretty obvious - even with equal DPS, the 2her feels significantly more effective. That's because it has a longer reach so you are cleaving more enemies at once.
You really can't assess DW vs 2H balance in the beta because there aren't nearly as many +Damage affixees in play as there will be in the full game.
Due to its superior attack speed, DW will always get a larger benefit from flat + damage increasers.
Also, DW gives you twice as many available affixes. As affixes scale, you'll gain a lot of extra Strength, Attack Speed, etc.
However, 2H has one MAJOR advantage over DW for melee characters, and that's superior reach. The reason that Cleaving with a big sword is so much more effective than cleaving with two 1hs is that the Cleave area of effect is much larger. Even with non-AoE melee abilities, the 2h's longer melee reach can be a significant advantage for fighting other melee creatures.
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Equip Cleave with a 1her versus a 2her and it is pretty obvious - even with equal DPS, the 2her feels significantly more effective. That's because it has a longer reach so you are cleaving more enemies at once.
Every melee weapon in Diablo 2 had a Range statistic. For example, a spear has a dramatically longer reach than a sword. There is no reason to believe that they would remove the Range statistic from Diablo 3.
http://diablo.wikia....%28Diablo_II%29
http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Scythe
http://diablo.wikia....wiki/War_Scythe
Due to its superior attack speed, DW will always get a larger benefit from flat + damage increasers.
Also, DW gives you twice as many available affixes. As affixes scale, you'll gain a lot of extra Strength, Attack Speed, etc.
However, 2H has one MAJOR advantage over DW for melee characters, and that's superior reach. The reason that Cleaving with a big sword is so much more effective than cleaving with two 1hs is that the Cleave area of effect is much larger. Even with non-AoE melee abilities, the 2h's longer melee reach can be a significant advantage for fighting other melee creatures.