Is dual-wielding better than two handed in Elden Ring?

As an avid fan who has played over 300 hours of Elden Ring both solo and co-op, this question gets brought up in discussions quite frequently in the community. And there is no consensus on a definitive "better" option – each playstyle has zealous adherents and detractors. Based on my experience and theorycrafting various builds, I believe there are strong cases to be made for both dual wielding and two-handing styles depending on your priorities. Let‘s analyze the key factors in detail:

Damage Output

Pure damage per second (DPS) is a top consideration for most players. When dual wielding smaller, faster weapons, you attack much quicker compared to larger two-handed armaments. Tests indicate dual curved swords can outpace colossal weapons in DPS:

However, dual wield attacks grant only 70% of your strength while two-handing essentially doubles your strength. So with enough investment, colossal weapons eventually outscale dual wield DPS. Critical hits also deal much higher damage on two-handed charged heavy attacks.

When factoring status effects, dual wield pulls far ahead for bleed, frost, or poison buildup thanks to quicker successive hits. But two-handing‘s stronger counter damage helps with rally healing. Ultimately both styles can dish out lethal damage, just through different means.

Movesets and Skills

By powerstancing with dual weapons, you gain access to unique left and right-hand attacks not possible when two-handing. Custom movesets and mixing different weapon categories leads to very diverse combos. Equipping a weapon skill in each hand also grants tremendous utility.

However, two-handing unlocks alternate standing, running, rolling, and charged attacks for colossal weapons and greatswords. The powerful guard counters and giant-hunt skills afforded on heavy arms also add special moves. In the end, both styles provide cool options catered towards player preference.

Defensive Capabilities

Dual wield builds seek to dodge attacks through equip load optimization rather than stability from greatshields. But the tradeoff is clearly offense over defense. Successful evasion entirely depends on player skill.

Two-handing weapons with hyper armor allow you to tank hits without being staggered. Greatshields, heavy armor, and enchantments like bloodhound step provide ample protection – at the cost of slower speed and agility. So two-handed builds certainly enjoy an advantage in survivability at medium levels of player skill.

Build Variety

Is either playstyle limited when exploring creative builds beyond the cookie cutter? Absolutely not.

Dual wield opens up options for hard-hitting burn, bleed, frost, poison variations including the powerful double seppuku occult infusion. Spell blade hybrids can mighty strong too. Then you have classics like arcane blood with dual curved swords or jumping L1 spam.

Two-hand builds also boast monstrous diversity from fiery giantsflame swords, to chilling claymores and axes of infinite gravity magic. My current unga bunga barbarian stacks bestial and royal knight incantations onto colossal swords and clubs to bash enemies with holy fury. Don‘t sleep on hybrids like sword of night and flame either.

PvE vs PvP Viability

In PvE against standard enemies and bosses, dual wield builds dish out very competitive damage thanks to incant buffs, consumables, and spirit summons backing you up. Quick successive hits also pressure staggered enemies. Bleed in particular remains top tier against most PvE content.

But some major bosses punish greediness and lack of vigor. The enhanced poise damage and protection two-handed provides makes killing them safer. My two-hand builds demolished late game bosses like Malenia way quicker than my dual wield ones.

For PvP duels, skilled reactive players adept at punishing whiffed attacks can counter aggressive dual wielders more easily in my experience. Mixing up R1 spam with ranged abilities helps. But in invasions, dual wield mobility and bleed give you an advantage against multiple foes. Meanwhile two-handed builds thrive better in head on duels but suffer chasing down hosts and phantoms.

So in summary, dual wielding excels in PvE DPS and invasions while two-handed is better for boss slaying and duels – but skilled players can find success either way.

Based on all the factors discussed, my verdict is both dual wielding and two-handing styles remain well balanced depending on the context. Dual wield edges out as the optimal DPS choice and promotes a more evasive, mobile playstyle. Two-handing cannot match the raw speed but offers better defenses and superior scaling into the late game.

So optimize your build based on stats and preferred combat flow while keeping an open mind. A quality build with 60 strength lets you respec quickly between powerstanced katanas and colossal weapons for example. In the end both playstyles deliver satisfying, unique experiences that exemplify Elden Ring‘s vast build variety and replayability.

Now if only FromSoftware could balance PvP better and expand weapon/spell diversity even further in DLC…but that is a debate for another time! Let me know in the comments which style you favor and why.