2H melee specialist Options

[rbeverjr]

Great players of IA who can rule the game on insane with ease, please let me know which melee person you consider best to wield 2H weapons (particularly halberds) and why. My thinking is kensai or barbarian. The kensai should be able to Greater Whirlwind and hit just about anything but his defense will suck without potions or Spirit Armor. The barbarian has much better defense (rage, resistance, good armor), but he may be using Critical Strike rather than Greater Whirlwind - not sure which would be optimal. But these are the thoughts of a lesser player. What do you think?

[bulian]

I wouldn't say I'm a great player, but I think the answer really depends on what else you want the 2HW to add to the party. Kensai's do more damage whereas a barbarian, berserker, or paladin type adds other utility. Barbarians can tank an extreme amount of damage, and not being obligated into GM (yes kensais are not obligated but that extra half APR is just so attractive) that they end up dual wielding too. Its too bad that their armor options suck, but hey, what they have is better than a kensai. Since there are only a few fights that truly require piercing weapons (Sendai), its certainly possible to skip halbreds or even short swords and be just fine.

If I just had one slot, I would take an Avenger due to the incredible utility and high DPS offered by the class. There is a new spear that is quite strong, albeit not as good as the halbreds.

In my current game (~1.1 Million XP, Ch 3), I'm using Dorn but I think the blackguard class is a bit weak, and I'll probably drop him for either Minsc or Valygar after killing a few more vampiric mists. For a second slot, a barbarian (or dwarven defender) is very strong. Hardiness + 20% innate + upgraded warblade = 80% physical damage reduction. Using the Defender of Easthaven and a high elemental resist shield is also a quite powerful defensive combination.