DPS vs dmg/hit: Could someone clarify?

[windstriker]

I wonder if someone could clarify what would be the benefit of a slow weapon with high dmg/hit versus a fast weapon with the same DPS? If I understand things correctly, fast weapons would be preferable for the spirit generators, as you can build spirit faster and the final DPS should be the same on both fast and slow weapons. But when it comes to spirit spenders, wouldn't a slower weapon be preferable then because it has higher base dmg and so the dmg output of the spirit spender should be higher? And as you can't spam the skill, fast speed on the weapon wouldn't really help?
Would be a great help if someone could explain this to me, as it will be fundamental when choosing my weapons! :jig:

[RAMailley]

I wonder if someone could clarify what would be the benefit of a slow weapon with high dmg/hit versus a fast weapon with the same DPS? If I understand things correctly, fast weapons would be preferable for the spirit generators, as you can build spirit faster and the final DPS should be the same on both fast and slow weapons. But when it comes to spirit spenders, wouldn't a slower weapon be preferable then because it has higher base dmg and so the dmg output of the spirit spender should be higher? And as you can't spam the skill, fast speed on the weapon wouldn't really help?
Would be a great help if someone could explain this to me, as it will be fundamental when choosing my weapons! :jig:

You seem to have a pretty good grasp of it already. In broad strokes, fast weapons will be better for generating spirit because generators can be spammed and the dps will be equal. Slow weapons will be better in cases where you are using a heavy-hitting spender, because damage is going to be independent of weapon speed in this case (particularly if there is a cooldown).

Another thing to consider is what kind of monster you will be fighting. If a monster dodges, then a fast weapon will be better because missing a hit with a fast weapon decreases your dps by less than if you were wielding a slow weapon. Conversely, if you are fighting a monster that emits electricity when it is struck, it would be beneficial to kill it with as few hits as possible. Thus, a slow weapon will be superior.

[Torr]

It's true that spenders that can't be spammed benefit from higher base damage. Also, there is a passive that specifically makes staff/daibo spirit regen faster. But the other side of the coin is any weapon effects that happen on a hit benefit from faster weapons. Some spenders (like lashing tail kick) can be spammed at times ( which I believe the animation speed is affected by APS). As well as the fact that you should be able to use a spender more often if you generate spirit faster with dual wield.

So there are trade offs any way you look at it.

[redrach]

If you can get by with a lot of passive regen from various sources (skills and gear), then you could possibly focus on a spirit-spender-centric build with a slow weapon.
Then again if you go with fast weapons AND loads of passive regen you could regenerate spirit much faster and then spam the spirit spenders even more. That'll be the route I take.

[windstriker]

Thanks for the answers! I guess fast weapons will be more versatile in the end, as the faster spirit regeneration opens up for more use of the spirit spenders that do not deal any dmg, like crowd control and healing skills. These are likely a must have in inferno also, at least until you have extremely good gear. Also, if I understand things correctly, dmg bonuses from rings and such are not bonus to DPS but instead to weapon dmg, which means they will add a lot more to fast weapons than slow.
Even though it's impossible to say what will be the best until we now exactly what kind of equipment we'll be able to find and what the mobs will look like later in the game!