Tough socketing choice

[Roland]

The actual physical damage from these weapons isn't your prime concern as an Avenger.

That's where you're wrong. Since Vengeance is based on the physical damage you do, the more physical damage you have, the more you (exponentially) increase your total damage. While true that it won't directly affect your performance against Physical Immunes (every meleer's worst nightmare), it in actuality DOES directly (or is it indirectly?) affect your performance against them, since all your elemental damage (which is all Vengeance adds) from Vengeance is based on your physical damage. :)

Personally, I'm preferable to two-handed Avengers, myself, eschewing Fanaticism, Shields, and Dexterity for constant Conviction (-90% DR cuts the need for Dex / AR dramatically, although it still can give you headaches if you don't have at least one good +AR item) and massive damage. The problems? 1) Speed, 2) Life, 3) Resists. Lack of blocking is bad, but it's the lack of resistances from the Shield slot, combined with the generally slow swing-speed (not to mention the massive requirements for most two-handed weapons; since I don't use a shield, I typically avoid Polearms since not only are they typically slow, but the only even moderately fast ones require heavy Dex investment, and I just can't spare that many points from Vitality) that really hurts the build. Add in the heavy requirements, which cuts your ability to pump Vitality for Life (a HUGE necessity, since not only will you have no blocking, but you'll be swinging slower, thus needing to take on only a few enemies at a time, and have less resistances, thus needing to be careful about who you face and when), and you're looking at a real challenge.

It's a fun build, IF you can get the right equipment. Axes are your best bet for it, but Polearms are certainly doable (IK Maul works very nicely, IF you can get one; if you play pure, go for Axes ;)). You kill fast when you hit, but your potential (minor) lack of AR and slower swing speed make it necessary to take it a bit slower overall.

I just had to comment on that little bit, Nico, and I couldn't help but throw in my input on my favorite Avenger build. ;) I'm an old-school Avenger fan from way back before LoD. Hell, before even 1.06, the truly "Golden Days" of D2 gaming. :) Just a minor nit. :)