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]

@ Chaser Just curious whether you think Avenger, F/D, F->D, or D->F is better. I may be wrong, but a F(13)->D wielding paws under improved haste should get 8 APR with a staff or 10 APR if dual wielding, but won't have access to CS or WW, which an Avenger, F/D, or D->F can get. Personally the Avenger seems the most balanced to me.

Thief(23)->Fighter is roughly 7 million XP when the thief ability comes online. That is very late SOA - is such a late dual worthwhile?

Also re-reading the original post, I feel obligated to mention I only ever play on core. Insane seems, well, insane...