Is it just me, but I feel like 1H is way better than DW (with or without the shield)... At least in early stages. Didn't test with any hard numbers or anything. This is mostly about the feeling and some theory stuff. If you have any numbers that would be nice. Please correct if I'm wrong.

I think default attacks hit the same speed for DW and 1H, doing the same amount of dmg. Actually DW does less dmg because offhand does less dmg until offhand passives are unlocked.

1H skills seems much more useful and can even beat DW in burst dmg. Twin slashes is a dot which does about the same (?) amount of dmg in 7s as puncture and low slash does in one hit. Flurry is a channel skill which has been debated to do even less dmg than default attacks. Don't really know much about sparks or hidden blade. Passives bring nice amount dmg to DW so once you get those up DW should start to shine? 1H defensive posture really looks like a nice skill with some good antimagic elements. 1H also gets a shield which gives more armor. There isn't any execute skill in 1H so there DW is a bit better.

What do you think?

You hit with 2 weapons instead of 1, that's already double damage.

huh? You can DW with 2 handed weapons?