>But now, two swings bring fatigue below 85%

Which two swings; something like slice, draw, or chop? You could use less fatiguing maneuvers and bob in between them. Maybe a zephyr rune could help too.

Also, if you weapon hasn't been previously enhanced it could be honed to make it lighter.

Part of 3.0, aside from slowing things down was to make things that had little bearing on upper ends matter again, like fatigue. Before it was just a gateway that once you passed ~30th or so for most guilds you never looked at again, thats no longer the case. Instead the bigger maneuvers take a chunk of fatigue especially with bigger weapons. Additionally, you now have options, faster less damage less fatiguing moves (some being more accurate too), or hard hitting slower moves, or even fatigue positive things (bob).

If the complexity of the new system seems a tad overwhelming, Attack has also been changed to use situationaly useful moves, like heavier attacks (slice chop) when in good balance/fatigue, or bob when tired, jab feint to gain balance, and while hardly the best option its still a solid option till you get more comfortable.

Samsaren

You haven't answered an important question.

What combat maneuvers are you using? Each uses stamina differently. Try using slice instead of draw/chop.

Pretty sure the problems you are seeing are intentional and intended. They seem spot on from my perspective. If you maxed everything at...ohh 80th circle, there would be nothing to look forward to or strive for.

Madigan

You sense the Clarity spell upon you, which will last for about seven thousand eight hundred thirty-six roisaen.
You sense the Anti-Stun spell upon you, which will last for about seven thousand eight hundred thirty-five roisaen.

>>Guys, I get that things were re-worked and that combat is slower, different moves etc, I'm OK with that. I just think the tail end has become excessive - I'm going to need 30 circles to get the stats to use that weapon again, est 140th. 10 Circles? Even 15? but 30? That quite the catch up.

You are literally using the heaviest weapon in the entire game. If you can easily swing that sword with only 85 strength and 70 stamina, then what would be the point of those stats past that point?

The balance may still be off a bit, since I don't know how much better you'd fare with 100 strength/stamina (and balance may especially be off if the only real way to use that weapon is with Zephyr). But 100 strength/stamina seems like a pretty reasonable requirement in order to swing the heaviest weapon in the entire game with ease.


Apu
_
Respect. Integrity. World Domination.
https://sites.google.com/site/apucorpdr/

Are you doing those two attacks back to back? I believe if you don't attack with that weapon a second time immediately after the first, you gain back a large percentage of the stamina cost from the attack. That's why throwing in a bob or something between attacks helps a bunch.