Just thought to add some info for those curious about the basic differences. I actually found the 2hander in both cases to be non efficient tbh unless I was farming or killing green cons.

The best 2 hander I have had up to level 21 was 39 DPS 

Best shield - 250 block

Best sword - 29 DPS

 Here's the thing I have found...

Both classes are pretty powerful. The mechanics are VERY different, and I honestly think that the Black Orc has more powerful abilities due to the Ironbreakers smoother/easier mechanic. The BO also seams more defensive where as the Ironbreaker seams to lean on the offensive side (don't get me wrong the IB can take a TON of damage, but with full grudge he can also do the dps of a dps class...). Also the black orc does better in the hate/threat department - especially in PVE, and being a lot larger than the dwarf tank adds more to the class bc of the collision detection and bottleneck areas.

The IB uses a shield for one of his knockdowns - and the one that doesn't cost grudge to use (so I use it a lot).

On top of that just being an IB or Orc usually gets enough attention to get focus fired and having a shield helps mitigate that damage so you can get some kills in or get healed up before you die...

However if you can time your skills with autoattack speed correctly - with a 2hander you can dish out some serious damage...This takes a bit of skill to do but you definately take players/mobs down alot faster than with a sword and board... Although when you get a few adds or some focused fire on ya - you will be happy when you had your shield there imo.

Pretty much agree with you. I would say in RvR though watch the heals. If your getting a good amount stick with the 2-h. If heals are few and far between use the S+B. You will live alot longer and in alot of cases live long enough for help to get there.

Originally posted by xenogias

Pretty much agree with you. I would say in RvR though watch the heals. If your getting a good amount stick with the 2-h. If heals are few and far between use the S+B. You will live alot longer and in alot of cases live long enough for help to get there.

Yeah good point...I kind of forgot too that most people playing healers atm are probably new to the class and also there isn't a ton of organizing going on yet...I am sure once the healing picks up in RVR using a 2hander will be the way to go...

Personaly as an Ironbreaker i prefer sticking with sword and board because of the knock down factor in pvp nothing annoys a healer more then being smacked in the face with a board and knocked on their rear, get a couple of iron breakers together and the healer wont stand up again!

I've played both the Black Orc and Ironbreaker extensively. I prefer the 1H + Shield combo over the 2H.

I'll wait for the Choppa or Hammerer to attempt to DPS with either of these races.