Any way to use warbrands in mid to late game?

[fxntxsmx]

Every weapons I found, except goblin and orc thrown weapons, I found some use for even in mid to late game but besides providing some dps in early game when bandits drop them , warbrands became so underwhelming to me after mid game. Any way to use these things?

[Mr. Z]

Maybe on a nimble swordsman? They are worse in every way because their special attacks cost the same amount of AP as a greatsword but still have the damage of a warbrand. Their only upside is being able to do 2 regular attacks.

[Silverbeard]

Two regular attacks from a warbrand can be useful if your brother has the reach advantage perk. Assuming you can land two hits, he'll gain a 40% increase to melee defense.
My twohander, for instance, goes into battle with both a warbrand and a greatsword (and the bags 'n' belts perk, obviously). If he's going to go one-on-one with a foe, I switch to the warbrand for the extra attack. But if he's got more than one foe to content with, the greatsword comes out to dish out the special attacks. We can only get one anyway so might as well go for max damage.
He's survived against everything from orc beserkers to brigand leaders so... I guess he's doing something right?
Try it out!

[Tephros83]

Originally posted by madimp:

Every weapons I found, except goblin and orc thrown weapons, I found some use for even in mid to late game but besides providing some dps in early game when bandits drop them , warbrands became so underwhelming to me after mid game. Any way to use these things?

In midgame I'd mostly use them against goblins and necrosavants (necrosavants because they are dodgy and have nine lives, so 2 regular attacks makes it better than the greatsword). However, generally the crypt cleaver is better for this role (assuming your guys have good attack). It's nice that you can split through the line with the warbrand as an alternative, though. Certainly the warbrand offers the best flexibility in attack patterns in the game, but its damage, particularly vs armor, limits it use.

It's good combined with berserker and recover, if you finish off an enemy with your first regular attack and your guy has high fatigue, then you can use recover and be ready to do a lot the next turn. This combo works less well for other 2 hand guys (other than crypt cleaver) since they use too many AP per attack to use recover in the same turn.

[McGrits]

A warbrand and the goblin trophy is a great way to counter goblin groups with one or more shamans and all the net throwing skirmishers.

The warbrand trades damage for mobility and more opportunity for use. Named warbrands really shine since the damage increase combines well with the greater mobility inherent with the weapon.

If your bros is just a stationary bros, then go for the heavier hitting weapon (great sword).

[Lampros]

So warbrands are useful v. Goblins at least? I am going to experiment then!

[gazomierz]

They're generally quite useful. They're right at the top in focus potential, with greataxes and crypt cleavers. They give you extra shot at triggering berk. They allow for nice stacking of reach advantage. They still offer aoe atacks. Named ones with good +tohithead or just high base dmg are one of the most insane weapons in the game. Very good weapon overall.

[Lampros]

Originally posted by gazomierz:

They're generally quite useful. They're right at the top in focus potential, with greataxes and crypt cleavers. They give you extra shot at triggering berk. They allow for nice stacking of reach advantage. They still offer aoe atacks. Named ones with good +tohithead or just high base dmg are one of the most insane weapons in the game. Very good weapon overall.

I didn't like the damage numbers on the generic ones, but I would possibly use unique ones, as you say. But I have not found one since release :(