cRPG

cRPG => Beginner's Help and Guides => Topic started by: wanteds on December 19, 2012, 04:38:35 pm

Title: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 19, 2012, 04:38:35 pm
I am looming or buying a loomed shield. I need your opinions on which is the best overall shield.
Taking resistance/hit points, coverage, speed and weight into consideration in this particular order. (I'm going for 8 shield skill)
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Pentecost on December 19, 2012, 04:49:56 pm
Heavy Round Shield if you plan on fighting exclusively on foot, Elite Cavalry or Knightly Heater Shield if you plan on fighting as both infantry or cavalry or will otherwise be sharing the shield between an infantry and cavalry character.

Stay away from any of the metal shields; they're either very slow, very heavy (but not heavy enough to resist crushthrough weps at a reliable rate), or have poor coverage, and all of them have terrible HP.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Latvian on December 19, 2012, 05:04:28 pm
do you plan to use it on foor or on horse?
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 19, 2012, 05:08:50 pm
on foot.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Laufknoten on December 19, 2012, 05:17:05 pm
Heavy round, elite cav and knightly heater are all good choices. You won't have a problem trading them away if you don't want to be shielder anymore. The huscarl shield is good aswell, but it's quite heavy and therefore not as fast as the other shields.
I would choose the elite cav shield, it's fast and offers good protection. 
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on December 19, 2012, 05:19:03 pm
I always liked the knightly heater shields 33 resistance (plus when I lance from horse in first person it doesn't cover up half my screen, like a round shield does).  But if you're going footman only, there's some shields that can't be used from horseback that are probably better choices for you. 

Just look at the shield shop page and compare stats :P
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 19, 2012, 05:35:05 pm
me myself I also like Knightly and Heavy heater shields and also Heavy Board shield but I wanted to hear what others prefer.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: buba on December 19, 2012, 05:38:46 pm
elite cav shield is a good all rounder, no matter what you plan to do in the future.
You can always trade it away at any time as well.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Boerenlater on December 19, 2012, 06:46:57 pm
I had the same question not too long ago. Maybe you'll find some answers in my thread:
http://forum.meleegaming.com/beginner's-help-and-guides/what-shield-to-loom/
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Penitent on December 19, 2012, 06:50:21 pm
Kite Shield is the best overall shield.
1 slot, tougher than the knightly shields, low upkeep, very fast speed.

It's the king.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on December 19, 2012, 07:22:45 pm
Kite Shield is the best overall shield.
1 slot, tougher than the knightly shields, low upkeep, very fast speed.

It's the king.

Shenanigans...

Kite Shield
weight: 6.5
body armor: 11
difficulty: 3
hit points: 385
speed rating: 91
shield height: 92
shield width: 22

Knightly Kite Shield
weight: 6
body armor: 31
difficulty: 4
hit points: 257
speed rating: 100
shield height: 66
shield width: 23

Knightly Heater Shield
weight: 6
body armor: 33
difficulty: 4
hit points: 232
speed rating: 100
shield height: 55
shield width: 25

I only have 4 shields kill and my knightly heater shield takes a beating and keeps on tickin (besides hits from axes)
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Latvian on December 19, 2012, 07:25:44 pm
heavy kite shield is one i use   it takes a lot of punishment  it has not broken for me only on rare cases when i meet axe guys  it ussualy takes atleast 5 couched lances befor it breaks or even more.i do not say it is best shield to use but i just told u about my shield . Oh yes and it takes 2 slots but if you dont take spear or something with you so its ok.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: CrazyCracka420 on December 19, 2012, 07:42:42 pm
What's your shield skill LK?  16 Hit points (resistance) isn't very good (IMO)
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: oprah_winfrey on December 19, 2012, 07:52:33 pm
Kite shields are only good on horseback. On foot, you want a round (shaped) shield.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Penitent on December 19, 2012, 10:08:20 pm
Kite shield takes more hits than the knightly shields, and is a lot stronger than the elite cav shield, which is weak.  It has lower resistance, but significantly more hit points.  It is tougher...do the tests yourself!  I already have.  It also takes more axe hits.

The width advantage of the other shields is minimal imho.  You just turn a little to block a hit.  I've used all the shields and having just a couple points of width does nothing.

The larger round shields (large round, huscarl) have significantly more width, but they are slow.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: oprah_winfrey on December 19, 2012, 10:12:16 pm
Kite shield takes more hits than the knightly shields, and is a lot stronger than the elite cav shield, which is weak.  It has lower resistance, but significantly more hit points.  It is tougher...do the tests yourself!  I already have.  It also takes more axe hits.

The width advantage of the other shields is minimal imho.  You just turn a little to block a hit.  I've used all the shields and having just a couple points of width does nothing.

The larger round shields (large round, huscarl) have significantly more width, but they are slow.

I don't think my +3 elite cav shield has ever broken when not getting hit by an axe. So calling it weak is a weird way to word it.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Erzengel on December 19, 2012, 10:34:05 pm
If you have 8 shield skill get an Elite Cavalry Shield or Heavy Round Shield. You won't regret it. Knightly Heater or Knightly Kite can also work because you will be very fast and can better avoid hits from the sides.

If you really want it to be unbreakable you can also get Huscarl's, but it will slow you down.  :D
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Tzar on December 19, 2012, 10:49:19 pm
Depends on your build an your plans.

Heavy round shield is good for when you have throwing or carry a extra warspear for hoplite action an fight on foot.

Huscarl round shield is just the best shield if you only use your main weapon an fight on foot.

Elite cav shield or some of the knightly ones are good cav shields.

Plate covered round shield if your fight on foot an str crutch an lack shield skill. <----------- yet axe will screw you over but so will any other shield with low shield skill. :) atleast the plate covered lets you take on infinite dmg from none shield breakers.

Anyways depends also on your style.

I use the Heavy round shield it take a serious beating an lets me carry my jarids plus the coverage is nice an its fast enough to block after being kicked.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Abay on December 19, 2012, 10:54:41 pm
I bet on heavy board shield. You can try it in EU3 and see I am right  :wink:

if u need more experienced explanaiton, I can pm you
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 20, 2012, 01:27:58 am
Kite shield takes more hits than the knightly shields, and is a lot stronger than the elite cav shield, which is weak.  It has lower resistance, but significantly more hit points.  It is tougher...do the tests yourself!  I already have.  It also takes more axe hits.

The width advantage of the other shields is minimal imho.  You just turn a little to block a hit.  I've used all the shields and having just a couple points of width does nothing.

The larger round shields (large round, huscarl) have significantly more width, but they are slow.

So, hit points are actually more important than resistance for the durability?

So compare these 2 for example: heavy board shield and Huscarl round shield, one has more resistance, other more hit points, which one lasts longer?
same question could go for knightly shields vs kite shields, cause I hear ppl have different opinions about which is more durable.

Durability is of more importance to me cause I'm gonna play mostly DTV on this character and the enemy tend to be very punishing there.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Penitent on December 20, 2012, 01:49:00 am
So, hit points are actually more important than resistance for the durability?

So compare these 2 for example: heavy board shield and Huscarl round shield, one has more resistance, other more hit points, which one lasts longer?
same question could go for knightly shields vs kite shields, cause I hear ppl have different opinions about which is more durable.

Durability is of more importance to me cause I'm gonna play mostly DTV on this character and the enemy tend to be very punishing there.

One is not more important than the other...they both contribute to durability.  In this case, the kite shield's hps make up for its lack of armor.  But take the Board shields (lots of hps) vs the Steel Shield (lots of armor) and you'll find the Steel Shield lasts longer in most cases.  Its armor is just so high.

I really think the kite shield is the best "overall" shield.  However, it might not be the best shield for you....for example if you will never be on a horse and you don't mind using 2 slots for a shield, you may find one that suits you better.

I made a chart showing how many hits different shields will take, on average.  Let me dig it up and share with the world.  I think I found that the knightly kite will take slightly more sword hits than the kite shield, but the kite takes significantly more axe hits.  When I averaged it, thinking I might face a shield-breaking weapon 1/3 of the time, the kite shield was slightly better.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: owens on December 20, 2012, 02:49:07 am
Elite cav shield or steal Buckler


The critical factor is how much shield skill you plan to invest and whether you are catching arrows or just want it for melee.


Shields have to be fast and long lived.

Elite cav is broad and has good resistance, in my opinion it outlasts and out-stats the heavy round shield. Decent against axes and usable with 4 shield skill.

Steal Buckler lasts a long time, protects the legs reasonably well and has extremely low weight. Its weakness is width as it tends to fall down against multiple fast opponents. Avoid axes when using this shield.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Uhtred_III_of_Bebbanburg on December 20, 2012, 03:41:04 am
Depends on Your playstyle, offensive, defensive, agi, str...
Elite Cavalry - Plate covered Round Shield - Heavy Kite are surely the best.
Imo Heavy Kite Shield is the allrounder. Good Speed, a lot of Hitpoints, awesome Style ;)
But my own favorite is the Elite Cavalry Shield.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 20, 2012, 06:22:44 am
I made a chart showing how many hits different shields will take, on average.  Let me dig it up and share with the world.

plz do!

Problem with kite shields is their width being the smallest of all shields and it could cause trouble when you are tanking arrows coming from slightly different angles.

Depends on Your playstyle, offensive, defensive, agi, str...
Elite Cavalry - Plate covered Round Shield - Heavy Kite are surely the best.
Imo Heavy Kite Shield is the allrounder. Good Speed, a lot of Hitpoints, awesome Style ;)
But my own favorite is the Elite Cavalry Shield.

build will be 18/24 (8 shield, 8 athl, 6 ps) and playstyle, kinda balanced. Weapons that I'll be using are sidesword and nordic champion sword, and medium weight gear.

I bet on heavy board shield. You can try it in EU3 and see I am right  :wink:

if u need more experienced explanaiton, I can pm you

Heavy board shield has got my attention too, but I dont know how fast/slow I'll be with (77+3=) 80 shield speed and 8 shield skill.

Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Abay on December 20, 2012, 10:54:15 am
Well, I played with every kind of shields in the game for almost 3 years. Lets take a look...

If your shield has high body armour but low hit points like steel ones or elite cav shield etc, it is really nice against swords and arrows. But any axe can break it in really short time.
If your shield has low body armour but high hit point like heavy board shield and fur covered shield, it will stand long against axes but it will also take any kind of attack to its body like arrows and swords, too.
Well, lets think.
If you dont fight against axemen with your shield, you must use plate covered or steel one. I went to EU3 with Diagonal(he has 8ps and danish gs) for testing huscarl, steel and heavy board. When he hits huscarl, it standed for 10 hits; heavy board took 14 and steel took 27 hits until it was broken. Also we tested them with an axe. Against axe, the low class steel one, and then huscarl is mid, but heavy board standed much longer.

Well, if you want to play in servers that has not many player, you must use fast and high body armored shields. But if you want to play in EU1 or EU2 when they are crowded, then high hit pointed shields will save your ass to the end of the tour.

Also you can not get any hit to your legs if you use heavy board  :wink:

As I said, crowded servers get you to heavy board or huscarl but others to elite cav, plate covered, steel or some knightly shields.

I tried to tell what I know about shields by my experience.

So, good luck  :)

(click to show/hide)

Edit: I see some people talks about speed of the shield. I must say that I have one of the worst ping(75-100) in EU servers and play with heavy board. And if I would have ping like EU guys(30-50), you would call me God  :P
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Dalhi on December 20, 2012, 11:03:22 am
With that high shield skill I'd recommend using Elite Cavalry Shield, it can last quite a lot of hits. As you are really awsome in manual blocking once you counter someone with weapon that has bonus against shield just put it on your back. Round shields gives really nice cover against range, and will protect your sides in melee much better then kite shields. Its weight comepred to other shields is much lower so it won't affect your movement that much, and mobility as a shielder is a key. With over 100 speed it's as fast as manual blocking with the difference that you don't have to bother yourself with directional blocking  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: rustyspoon on December 20, 2012, 02:03:45 pm
Rounds shields give overall MUCH better coverage than non-round shields. As calculations in this game are percentage-based, increases to your horizontal forcefield are much smaller if your shield is not round. It becomes very noticeable when fighting multiple people at once.

If you have enough shield skill speed isn't much of an issue, unless you are using one of the REALLY slow metal shields.  All shield speeds max at 100 anyway. They can't be increased past 100.

Heavier shields will weigh you down more, so that you move slower, but they will also give you more protection against block stun. You'll get block stunned more frequently with an Elite Cav than with a Heavy Round.

As most everyone in this thread already mentioned, if you're on foot you're much better off with a round shield. Elite Cav and Heavy Round are both very solid choices and the Huscarl is really good if you don't mind losing the extra movement speed.

For a point of reference...a MW Heavy round with 6 shield skill rarely breaks. With 7 it only ever breaks during a long siege round where I never die. If you have enough shield skill and put it away when fighting shield breakers...it will pretty much never break.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Mlekce on December 20, 2012, 02:31:57 pm
mw elite cav shield with 5 shield skill works like charm.
Rest of shields are shit.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 20, 2012, 03:38:52 pm
tnx for the compliment Dalhi but I've become very rusty lately  :lol:

Tnx guys for all your feedback, I appreciate it.

As for my choice, as I said I'm going to be playing a lot of DTV with this chr, so I'll need a shield that can take a beating, gives good coverage against missile and can withstand waves of axemen.
So the choice will be one of the last tier shields as in Huscarl which is the better version of elite cav and heavy round shield (if we ignore the weight and speed penalty which is less of a concern in my case) or heavy board. My favorite shield is knightly heater but the low hitpoints wont make up for the good resistance, same thing with plated covered shield. Kite shields are good shields except they're too narrow. No one mentioned the heavy Norman shields, so I don't have any idea of their performance. And finally the all mighty steel shield which wont break but the speed is just too low.

 
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Phew on December 20, 2012, 03:44:06 pm
Heavier shields will weigh you down more, so that you move slower, but they will also give you more protection against block stun. You'll get block stunned more frequently with an Elite Cav than with a Heavy Round.

I'm surprised this didn't get mentioned until now. Held attacks can stun shields up to twice their weight, so while the Elite Cav/Knightly shields may be fast and somewhat durable, the speed and durability is often wasted because you spend so much time block stunned, unable to attack. I prefer shields that weigh more than 7 kg, so they can't get stunned by 2h swords/axes, only the heavy hitters like bar mace/mauls. Not to mention, heavy shields actually block crushthrough weapons sometimes; good luck ever blocking a great maul overhead with an Elite Cav shield.

The other big consideration that I didn't see mentioned is crossbow bolt penetration.  Bolts penetrate low armor shields, and you need about 20+ shield armor to stop a +3 steel bolt from a +3 arbalest (which are pretty rare on the battlefield). I used a +3 Brown Lion Heater for several gens, and I got tired of always being headshot through the shield with only 12 armor.

So after weighing the most important considerations for me:
1. 7+ kg weight so I don't spend the whole round block stunned
2. 19+ armor so I don't get headshot by bolts through my shield
3. Width so I can block people on both sides simultaneously
4. >85 speed so I can block after being kicked or feinting lowering my shield
5. 1-slot so I can carry two stacks of heavy throwing axes
6. 400+ HPs so my shield survives more than a couple axe swings

I was left with a single option, the +3 Heavy Round Shield I have used for the last 8 or so generations.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Falka on December 20, 2012, 03:45:16 pm
I'm going to be playing a lot of DTV with this chr,

 :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Leshma on December 20, 2012, 03:51:38 pm
Head of Ivani4
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: wanteds on December 20, 2012, 04:15:01 pm
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
?
well, not all my characters ofc.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: San on December 21, 2012, 01:16:24 am
I'm surprised this didn't get mentioned until now. Held attacks can stun shields up to twice their weight, so while the Elite Cav/Knightly shields may be fast and somewhat durable, the speed and durability is often wasted because you spend so much time block stunned, unable to attack. I prefer shields that weigh more than 7 kg, so they can't get stunned by 2h swords/axes, only the heavy hitters like bar mace/mauls. Not to mention, heavy shields actually block crushthrough weapons sometimes; good luck ever blocking a great maul overhead with an Elite Cav shield.

This is only from my own experience, but using an unloomed knightly heater, I also never get stunned by anything other than held bar mace/maul attacks. This may have something to do with having 24ish strength, not entirely sure.

Heavy round is probably the best if you want to fully protect yourself without gimping you in any way. I prefer offensive shields with enough durability to get by. I feel as though a +3 elite cav is only as durable as an unloomed knightly heater, I would never really use an unloomed elite cav shield as my main choice.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Sir_Mahtin on December 21, 2012, 03:29:48 am
IMO, you want shields that have high hit points. Especially if facing people with shield bonuses. The body armor is good, but most people have high ps and when they use a weapon with bonus against shield they tear through shields with low hp faster; no matter how high the body armor.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Abay on December 21, 2012, 05:08:01 am
IMO, you want shields that have high hit points. Especially if facing people with shield bonuses. The body armor is good, but most people have high ps and when they use a weapon with bonus against shield they tear through shields with low hp faster; no matter how high the body armor.
+3 heavy board shield with 18 body armour and 653 hit points will solve that problem  :wink:
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on December 21, 2012, 08:13:09 am
Your playstyle and build dictate the "best" shield for you, there is no single answer.

Lower armor/higher hitpoint shields work better against shield breaking weapons and projectiles. A higher resistance shield is better vs non-shield-breaking melee weapons.

If you have 4-5 shield skill, pick something fast. If you are going 7+ shield skill, you can use the slowest shields and still block reliably. Using the fastest shields at higher shield skill is overkill, your enemy's swings and your reflexes won't be able to use the "extra" speed in most cases.

I had a +3 steel shield when I played a gen of 1h/shield infantry with 21/18 stats. It felt slow, but you could count on it to catch arrows until end of round/your death, no matter what. Even the strongest axes would take 4 or more hits to shatter it.

The best jack of all trades shield is the elite cav, for sure. Find out what you want to specialize in (if at all) shielding against and pick accordingly. Buy a bunch of different shields and try them until one feels right.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Phew on December 21, 2012, 03:25:10 pm
This is only from my own experience, but using an unloomed knightly heater, I also never get stunned by anything other than held bar mace/maul attacks. This may have something to do with having 24ish strength, not entirely sure.

Strength may have something to do with it; I usually have 18 str, and whenever I pick up a Knightly Heater/Elite Cav, I notice myself getting stunned by weapons like the Highland Claymore, which never stuns my HRS.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Drehar on December 26, 2012, 07:02:59 pm
I chose Knightly heater shield because...

I'm not good enough to outlast my shield
Its cheap
Any shield works for arrows with enough points in shielding.
Its fast
You can always put the shield away vs an axe
Again I usually die before my shield does
Pulling ANY shield out is enough of a deterrence to keep people off you in large groups.
Unless you Turtle like a wimp you won't need anything stronger then Knightly heater
I just use it to eat a few arrows and a few sword hits
I think it looks the best of all the shields.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: brockssn on December 26, 2012, 08:35:08 pm
Huscarl for sure
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: brockssn on December 26, 2012, 08:42:47 pm
I'm surprised this didn't get mentioned until now. Held attacks can stun shields up to twice their weight, so while the Elite Cav/Knightly shields may be fast and somewhat durable, the speed and durability is often wasted because you spend so much time block stunned, unable to attack. I prefer shields that weigh more than 7 kg, so they can't get stunned by 2h swords/axes, only the heavy hitters like bar mace/mauls. Not to mention, heavy shields actually block crushthrough weapons sometimes; good luck ever blocking a great maul overhead with an Elite Cav shield.

The other big consideration that I didn't see mentioned is crossbow bolt penetration.  Bolts penetrate low armor shields, and you need about 20+ shield armor to stop a +3 steel bolt from a +3 arbalest (which are pretty rare on the battlefield). I used a +3 Brown Lion Heater for several gens, and I got tired of always being headshot through the shield with only 12 armor.

So after weighing the most important considerations for me:
1. 7+ kg weight so I don't spend the whole round block stunned
2. 19+ armor so I don't get headshot by bolts through my shield
3. Width so I can block people on both sides simultaneously
4. >85 speed so I can block after being kicked or feinting lowering my shield
5. 1-slot so I can carry two stacks of heavy throwing axes
6. 400+ HPs so my shield survives more than a couple axe swings

I was left with a single option, the +3 Heavy Round Shield I have used for the last 8 or so generations.

Just tried the heavy round (typically use a huscarl) and got block stunned by throwing weps =[
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: TheAppleSauceMan on December 26, 2012, 10:51:45 pm
Elite Cav all day. Only shield that big with 100 speed, which can be EXTREMELY important in melee combat. Not to mention it's the most wanted shield loom and one of the most wanted looms in general, ever get tired of it or want to switch it out, you'll have absolutely no problems trading it away.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: Phew on December 26, 2012, 11:50:54 pm
Just tried the heavy round (typically use a huscarl) and got block stunned by throwing weps =[

I think what you experienced is the "passive" block, i.e. forcefield vs. ranged weapons. It shows a lengthy animation of you raising your shield to block to projectile, but as far as I know, the animation doesn't prevent you from attacking. I don't think you can be actually block stunned by ranged weapons, but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Best overall shield
Post by: TheAppleSauceMan on December 27, 2012, 07:13:18 am
This is only from my own experience, but using an unloomed knightly heater, I also never get stunned by anything other than held bar mace/maul attacks. This may have something to do with having 24ish strength, not entirely sure.

Heavy round is probably the best if you want to fully protect yourself without gimping you in any way. I prefer offensive shields with enough durability to get by. I feel as though a +3 elite cav is only as durable as an unloomed knightly heater, I would never really use an unloomed elite cav shield as my main choice.

I use an unloomed Elite Cav, the only thing that EVER stuns me is a held attack from a bar mace or crushthrough weapon. And I'd say about 50% of the time crushthrough doesn't go through, although keep in mind I have 21 STR and don't run into crushthrough often, tend to stay out of situations like that haha.