I was wondering about different version of build that would use dual wield instead of 2h axe. Just in case stuff gets nerfed
Here is little comparison, did I miss any other key differences between those? str bonus is the same for labrys and non barb 2h sword it is 30/100.
Main idea here is, if you craft 2h sword, with +max damage roll, that max damage roll is added both to its 1h damage and 2h damage. This way you can have 1h sword with max +375 damage (max possible roll). If you were crafting 1h sword, like kriegsmesser max possible roll is +190. This can mitigate difference in damage 2h vs 1h, of course it is still pretty big, but bit less than if you don't go this route.
As for speed, I give best case scenario with 89 ias for 6fpa, if you use 5wsm sword and -10wsm hand axe as offhand (we want axe to enable deathgaze). But normally you would wanna go great sword (15 wsm and highest average damage) + hammerhead axe (5 wsm + 6 sockets, can roll barb skills) or 0 wsm war axe. 133 ias is low enough to go most optimal set which is great sword + hammerhead.
From my experience playing this build, you hit 7fpa 2h axe quite late in the game, its actually quite difficult. So fair comparison would be 8fpa vs 6, and even then that 8fpa 2h axe requires more ias than worst case scenarion 6 with dual wield (147 vs 133). This means we get 33% more damage just from attacking faster..
For raw damage compare it is bit tricky, because it depends what % of our total dps output is wolf companion curse. If it is high, then attacking faster (generating more hits) will boost overall damage by more. Keep in mind that thunderfury doesn't proc companion because it is pure lightning damage, sama eas stormblast or full cold iceburst. Only more deathgaze gets you more wolf companion curse hits, which scales with that extra 1 frame breakpoint.
Seems that no matter how you approach this, 2h axe should be dealing more damage probably around 30% more. But we get those extra perks such as ability to freely use whirlwind all the time, which makes many ubers way easier to complete. More raw stats from extra item, more runes = more defense early. It is interesting comparison.
One thing that I wonder is what would be best TU setup for this, before we craft our main hand sword. And also cheap endgame offhand, what is the best.
For leveling it might seem that axe is clear winner, because swords we can have early are way weaker than unique labrys. But labrys will be significantly slower, we are looking at 10 frames, while dual wield will be quite easily hitting even 7 fpa. So leveling with dual wield is very smooth too.
Another idea: Can you roll colosseum on 1h barb axes? or is it sword only? I know motw is axe only, but forgot.
Getting colosseum offhand barb axe would be amazing ultility, constantly cast it without weapon switch.