Two-Hand vs Power Stance in DkS2?
What's the difference between the stats/damage output when I two-hand a weapon, vs when I use a Power Stance? What effects does it have on;
- Damage output?
- Stamina drain?
- Stamina damage (stagger)?
To use as an example for explanation, you can use Longswords, and my STR/DEX are equal at 30. (To avoid any unintentional ambiguation)
Best Answer
Broken Straight Sword on Hollow soldiers (Dex 6, Str 6, Sta 6):
- 1 handed attack (light): 43 damage, 10 attacks in row;
- 1 handed attack (heavy): 43 damage, 7 attacks in row;
- 2 handed attack (light): 52 damage, 8 attacks in row;
- 2 handed attack (heavy): 62 damage, 6 attacks in row;
- power stance (light): 69 damage, 5 attacks in row
- power stance (heavy): 82 damage, 3 attacks in row
Notes: The sword scales ONLY D with strength.
Caestus on Hollow soldiers (Dex 10, Str 15, Sta 6):
- 1 handed attack (light): 90 damage, 8 attacks in row;
- 1 handed attack (heavy): 108 damage, 6 attacks in row;
- 2 handed attack (light): 100 damage, 5 attacks in row;
- 2 handed attack (heavy): 136 damage, 7 attacks in row;
- power stance (light): 128 damage, 8 attacks in row
- power stance (heavy): 144 damage, 2 attacks in row
Notes: The Caestus scales A with strength and B with agility, its power stance light attack is very fast.
Broken Straight Sword + Long Sword (Dex 13, Str 15, Sta 6) on Hollow Soldiers:
- power stance (light, Broken in left): 127 damage
- power stance (light, Long in left): 130 damage
- power stance (heavy, Broken in left): 153 damage
- power stance (heavy, Long in left): 157 damage
Notes: Using the higher damage weapon in the left hand gives better results.
Other things worth mentioning:
- power stance attacks apply on-hit effect twice (once for each weapon);
- power stance attacks are (usually) slower if not chained;
- the left hand hits stronger in power stance.
In the end, power stance is more consuming than two handed, but deals more damage. Also, using a quick weapon in the right and a high damage weapon in the left, can give you the opportunity to strike with your stronger weapon (or both if power stancing) after briefly stunning your opponent with your faster weapon. It's also worth mentioning that you must have +50% of the stats required to dual wield (rounded bottom), while to use a weapon with two hands you need less strength than required (you get +50% bonus to strength).
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Does power stance do more damage?
As Power Stanced weapons can be individually upgraded, players can make the most out of their weaker weapons' attack power. Doing so will provide more overall damage than simply two-handing a weapon on its own, and the flurry of attacks can more easily break enemies' stances.How do you power stance in dks2?
The Power Stance is a player ability in Dark Souls II. When dual wielding two weapons of similar classes, attempting to two-hand the left-hand weapon (hold Y/Triangle by default), the player instead activates Power Stance, which makes left-hand attacks swing with both weapons instead.Should I 2 hand or dual wield Elden Ring?
Two-Handed Vs Dual Wield in Elden Ring When you compare both of these combat styles it is safe to say that using your weapon Two-handed is better and more efficient than dual wield.Dark Souls II: Dual Wielding - Complete Guide
More answers regarding two-Hand vs Power Stance in DkS2?
Answer 2
The only thing I have noticed from power stance is that it has some really cool move sets, such as swinging both weapons at once. And about the stamina drain, it is the same as two handing a weapon if the power stance move hits twice it will drain stamina twice if it hits three it drains three... in sure u get it even tho I probably didn't explain well I am sleepy.
Answer 3
The stamina drain seems significant, but it is actually equal to if you had swung your weapon twice. To think of it very simply you are going to double your damage, for double the stamina, in half the time.
Compared to a greatsword or ultra weapon it can offer similar damage, but also applies status effects quicker, can break poise faster, and generally animates more quickly.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Annushka Ahuja, Annushka Ahuja, Andres Ayrton, Julia Larson
