I am late to the discussion, but as a tank how can I pass up the opportunity to talk shop? We men and women of gleaming weapons and steely nerves so rarely speak our minds regarding the execution of our humble duties (along with the execution of a ton of mobs). Here is my 1HS vs. 2HS tale...
I was a 1HS tank exclusively for the first 50 levels of my life in Norrath. At first I swung a Giant Militia Longsword and a shield borrowed from the dead hands of Fippy Darkpaw, all courtesy of my little brother Chadopro. When the time came I became a dual wielding tank and left the shield behind for good - though at times even today my inability to BASH effectively concerns me. I dual wielded at first with two Giant Militia Longswords; then later with the Wurmslayer/Centi Longsword combo. I eventually bought a Lammy/Defiance combo.
Today when I dual wield I go with a Scimitar of the Ykesha (Dam8, Dly22, Wt2.2, Procs Ykesha 75pt DD and knockback - fast, hits hard, procs a knockback and DD often when I am buffed) and Defiance (Dam9, Dly19, Wt5.0 Stats: +10 ac , +6 str , +8 dex - fast weapon, good stat enhancers, AC increase). When I am the Main Tank I like this combo. By swinging faster weapons I increase the speed of the damage I can inflict, moving me up the mob's agro list. This is doubly true when my innate haste (Sash of the Dragonborn) stacks with chanter/shammy haste to have my swords hit somewhere in the 12 to 15 delay range. I use the knockback/DD proc to also help me maintain agro on the mob.
The Scimitar of the Ykesha is not the greatest weapon you will find, but I had the opportunity to loot one in Kithicor and wound up using it. I found that Lammy/Defiance combo, though hitting very fast, struggled to maintain agro on the mob. That DD proc and the knockback has been very effective in keeping the mobs focussed on me and not the casters.
At level 42 or so it occured to me that my 2HS was attrocious (sub 60!) relative to my 1HS (200+). From that point on I sunk every train I had sitting there, plus everyone I got for dinging, into 2HS. I continued to do so for the next ten levels. Eventually I got my skill to around 100, and started the really hard work. Whenever I went hunting as a secondary tank I did so swinging the biggest 2HS I could borrow (Black Acylia Halberd - 2HS 40/48 magic damage +4 effect lifedraw) and proceeded to grind my 2HS up to respectable levels. At last check I am over 195 on 2HS swinging a Reaver (Dam36, Dly40, Wt25, +12 SV COLD +12 SV DISEASE +12 SV MAGIC +12 SV FIRE +12 SV POISON).
My gear is not great by any stretch, but take this from my long reply. It's easier to carry a spare 2HS and work to grind your ability up as you go than it is to make up for lost time later.
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