The Barbarian's Dilemma: Dual Wielding vs 2-Handed Weapons

When it comes to choosing between dual wielding and using a 2-handed weapon as a Diablo 3 barbarian, many players are left scratching their heads. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of each approach, highlighting the skills that require no fury and those that generate it efficiently.

For starters, there are only three skills in the barbarian's arsenal that don't require fury: Revenge, Overpower, and Iron Skin. On the other hand, Ground Stomp, Leap, Ancient Spear, Furious Charge, Threatening Shout, and War Cry all generate fury. However, even with these skills, using a 2-handed weapon doesn't seem to be as efficient in terms of damage output per point of fury compared to dual wielding.

One might assume that dual wielding would provide an advantage due to the increased attack speed, which allows for more frequent primary attacks and subsequent fury generation. Indeed, using a 2-handed weapon does generate fury slower with primary abilities. However, this is offset by the fact that there are other abilities on the barbarian that generate fury, as well as skills that have no fury requirement at all.

So, what's the real benefit of dual wielding for the barbarian? Simply put, it allows for a 15% increase in attack speed, resulting in more frequent primary attacks and subsequent fury generation. This might seem like a marginal advantage, but it can make a significant difference over time.

Another important consideration is that only 2-handers and shields provide bonus to barbarian skills, making them essential for increasing the level of your abilities. Unfortunately, there are currently no 1-handed weapons that offer this bonus in the auction house filter.

In conclusion, while dual wielding might seem like a viable option at first glance, it ultimately falls short when compared to using a 2-handed weapon. With the benefits of increased attack speed and more efficient fury generation, 2-handers remain the preferred choice for barbarians looking to maximize their damage output.

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