Gladiator Dual-Wielding
I want to go ahead and make the point that I am no huge theory-crafter and I have no way proved this with numbers nor do I claim this is without argument the best and most efficient strategy. Simply, I will share what I have managed to learn so you all can give DW a shot; if you know a way to improve any of my ideas here please do.
So you've decided to try DW or maybe you're just curious, here are a few facts.
-DW is primarily a PvE style of play though its DPS will translate the same in PvP; the lack of crit knockdowns from a Polearm is what makes it less efficient in PvP.
-An increase in dps for a polearm requires attack speed. An increase in dps for a DW is crit.
-DW requires a rotation and you will find that the majority of your damage comes from normal attack rather than special abilities.
-Normal attacks interrupt enemy casting very very...very often. This is extremely advantageous.
-Before the N.America launch there was an exploit if you DWed a mace and dagger. This has been removed.
-Polearms and maces have little to NO Crit. Swords have 50. Daggers have 100.
In summary DWing is great for PvP due to higher crit which results in higher PvP and the interrupts never hurt. You can choose any combination of daggers and/or swords. YOU MUST USE A ROTATION TO SEE RESULTS.
Rotation:
If you recall, the bulk of the dps comes from those normal critical hits. I use 2 swords and usually weave 1 normal (2 swings) between every special, UNLESS, there is time to weave in a 2nd.
At 25 this is my rotation.
1.Ferocious Strike
immediately to
2.Rage
(now you're invincible!)
NORMAL ATTACK (2 swings)
3.Body Smash or Weakening Severe Blow
NORMAL ATTACK (2 swings)
NORMAL ATTACK (2 swings)
(3 step combo)
Ferocious Strike > Robust Blow II > Wrathful Strike I > (Crippling Cut I)
NORMAL ATTACK (2 swings)
6.Body Smash or Weakening Severe Blow
NORMAL ATTACK (2 swings)
...Next Available..
NORMAL ATTACK (2 swings)
------------------------------------------
You will usually kill your enemy at step 6 or 6.5. If he has higher defense you may find yourself further down the chain.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT TIP!
If you are watching your combat log you will notice your dmg registering prior to you finishing your action in game. What this means is that every special ability following a normal attack should be clicked/pressed while the second weapon is in motion. This will insure minimum downtime and sometimes 2 normal attacks between cooldowns.
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I did a bit of reading myself, and just to add to this, apparently 300 is considered close to the "magic" number for when DW really shines.
I've also heard that straight auto attacking puts out more damage at the higher levels than skill spamming, but I'm pretty sure that testing was done pre-1.5, so the crit changes likely changed that.