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Hi there. I started a Frenzy Barb and don't know what weapons(s) I should use.
Maces:
Well, Schaefers Hammer or Stormlash b/c Static Field + Schaefers gives nice AR.
Runewords could be Oath Legendary Mallet or Beast Scourge/Caduceus.
Axes/Swords:
BotD, Oath, Beast
Axes/Swords are almost the same b/c damage, range and attack speed are almost the same (Ba got 24-71 DMG Cb 25-65...) CB needs more STR + DEX but thats also not bad b/c STR pushes my DMG and DEX my AR..so I don't know now...
MACES OR AXES/SWORDS?!
Greetz
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That all depends on how you feel about a character. As a general rule, Axes/Swords will ALWAYS have higher attack speeds than Maces will. Because;
A) Low On Hand IAS (For Frenzy, Windhammer's good IAS but 2 handed)
B) Can't Make BoTD (Highest sockets = 5, Knout/Flail/Scourge, Lengendary Mallet/War Hammer/Battle Hammer)
C) Lacks Range that is highly useful against fast moving enemies (Hitting them while they run away is very frustrating w/o a Axe/Sword due to the short range of the weapon)
Whereas Swords/Axes;
A) Highest Attack Speeds
B) Can get 6 Sockets
C) Posses Extra Long range (Berserker axe has the 2nd highest in the game, next to a spear)
HOWEVER;
A) Slightly Lower Damage (USUALLY counterracted by BoTD)
B) Some of the other Sword uniques/Axe uniques are quite useless (Maces have well balanced, always useful uniques)
C) Lower Durability (Only annoying if you have to run back to town in the middle of a fight with say Baal or Big D to repair your weapon cuz it's hurt)
AS you can see, both have advantages and disadvantages, but possibly the best decision would be to go with the axes. WHY? Simple. An axe is strong, More durable than a sword, and fast (Berserker Axe). It happens to also be the symbolic weapon of Brute Strength. Ultimately, here's the rundown
Swords
Style Points - 10/10 (Cool Uniques, 1 handed wielding of 2 handed weapons, "Warrior" appearence)
Power Points- 8/10 (Lacks balanced low damage values, will often be either devastating or glancing)
Speed Points - 9/10 (Mostlly high base speeds, some are lower than others but most have "Fast" attack speed)
Overall - 9/10 Quite Balanced, but lacking in the All important second mod area.
Maces
Style Points 5/10 (The axe has becom overused and bland, most expected weapon, Poor item coloration)
Power Points 10/10 (What can i say? A big mace beats a skillful sword. The mace will always have its place, but it will from now on be behind the axe)
Speed Points- 5/10 (The knout is the only weapon that here posesses the high attack speed we need).
Overall - 6.7/10 (THis is my rating, based on the above scores)
Axes (Not much to say here)
Style 0/10 (old look, poor coloration)
Power 10/10 (unbalanced on the whole (each axe considered) but still good)
Speed 5/10 (Zerker is the only high speed axe)
MY rating - 5/10 (Good dmg, unbalanced speed, looks like crap)
True Rating 10/10 ("" "" "" "" "" "" "")
I use axes, I could care less if it's cheesy.
Thank you - I'll think I'll use axes too