This is the best build I’ve found to make 2H Sword work on HM, which works decently well against Elites because of the Crit/Crit Power:
Talents: 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3
Melee Weapon: 2H Sword - Crit/Crit Power (Swiftslaying)
Ranged Weapon: Hagbane Shortbow - Chaos/Monsters (Barrage)
Neck: Stamina/Health (30% healing increase)
Charm: Chaos/Crit Power (Decanter) - Chaos could also be swapped out for Armoured (-Boss killing).
Trinket: Crit/Stamina Regen (Shrapnel)
Playstyle:
2H Sword has 25% inherent Crit Chance on the Push-Attack, and the Push-Attack is one of the fastest of any weapon in the game (0.37 seconds). This makes it extremely safe to use, as constantly holding block and being able to attack quickly killing things in a few Push-Attacks makes random mobs on Cata easy to deal with.
The higher Crit Chance during Push-Attacks also ensures a Swiftslaying proc, giving it even more survivability in Attack Speed. I usually spam Push-Attack > L2 in Hordes, or if I’m stacked with another player, Push-Attacks until Swiftslaying procs, and then spam lights to clear, Push-Attacking when necessary.
Against Elites, or Elites inside Hordes, I usually spam Push-Attacks until I get a SS proc, and then start doing charged spam. This gives you safety and killing power. You’ll be surprised at how many Elites you end up killing with Push-Attack Crits in Hordes too.
15% Attack Speed from dodging, and constant SS procs means you don’t have to stack any AS at all to make it viable.
Once you start to utilize the Push-Attacks for safe clearing of small mobs, that’s the biggest problem 2H Sword has out of the way, as with other Careers it feels like you end up with too much AS.
On the ranged, I’m running Hag (Boss killing), because I find being able to STR pot and blow Bosses up satisfying, and because it combines well with the 10% Power Talent. You could easily run any of the other ranged weapons and still do fine.
The 10% Power Talent is good, because you’re stacking Crit Power to make the Push-Attacks more worthwhile and to make your charged attacks more devestating.
Stamina Regen on Trinket combined with HM’s passive Stamina Regen, and Stamina on Neck, is more than enough Stamina for everything (4.5 Shields). Some Block Cost Reduction could also work fine, but this build seems to have a nice balance of defensive and offensive Stats.
Scoring an Ult through 3-5 enemies in a Horde is what makes this build worth it, but it’s hard to get off.
2H Sword is still a bit meh, but this is the closest I’ve come to a satisfying build with it. It feels really safe with the Push-Attacks, but mediocre elsewhere as too many stats are needed.