Tips on Two-Handed Build

[Call Sign: Raven]

I'm having trouble getting this thing off the ground. What have you guys done to make a viable two-handed build, without abusing Enchanting?

[Nowhere Man]

I guess you just need to stick with it, because (in my experience at least) two-handed builds are weak as hell early in the game. Favor heavy armor, stamina (of course) and abuse of your range as much as you can, especially against one-handed and assassin foes. Enchanted weapons certainly help, no reason not to use them. Having a character race naturally inclined to it also helps, of course.

[LUKE]

A follower with a shield can go a long way on a 2h melee only build. I would suggest Lydia because she gains a lot of hp each level and scales with the player up to level 50.

Stack as much hp/resistance as possible. Make sure you get as much block perks as you can too. Even though the block enchant/perk state "block more w/ shield" it also fortifies all blocks including 2h. Stamina regen ench/potions are very helpful for sustained fights.

Cook. Vegetable soup and Venison stew last for a long time (12 minutes) and the flat per second buff bypasses the stamina regen delay, therefor you can spam bashes and power attacks into the redline almost indefinitely.

*edited typo and added another suggestion*

[MortVent]

Believe it or not Orc and Redguard work great as 2-handed fighters. Both due to the racials

Berserk is good for a spike in defense and attack when needed.
The Redguard can regen it's stamina with their racial ability.

But a 2-handed fighter is going to want to use heavy armor for defense, as no shield

And remember the key thing a lot forget... You can block with your weapon! While most block perks are worthless, some will help make your block better.

Key things to look into are what items you are wearing (+stamina gear is actually useful!) and standing stones (some that you might not consider are useful; such as removing the armor weight or bonuses to health/stamina over skill boosts)

[wellser06]

Put two points into Block.. the Initial Point and then quick reflexes .. this makes fighting anything that power attacks you pretty much trivial.. if you use light armor or get the perk in heavy armor to reduce weight of armor ... just avoid all power attacks by blocking and have enough time to swing around enemies and hit them in the back with a big PA of your own.. works really well.

[SpeedFreak1972]

Also I would suggest something with range (bow/crossbow) otherwise you could have a bad time against dragons

[Docsprock]

2 handed and bow is my preferred combo. I played sword & board for 1000 hours, went to dual wield for another thousand, then settled on the 2 handed. With practice you can block pretty easily, while the power attack is absolutely devastating to your opponent. use the bow and magic against archers and mages.

[Perplex]

I personaly think 2handed builds are the easiest to play without abusing smithing and enchanting or alchemy. Just run in, smash things and keep moving.