Speed, Strength, and Heavy Armour

[beniliusbob]

Dearest friends and enemies,

My character is a polearm build. Last generation, I went 27/12, which worked nicely except when I tried to wear my Mail and Plate, which seemed to slow me down considerably. At least, I sucked whenever I wore it (versus my Heraldic Mail with Surcoat), and I chalked that up to a speed thing--though it could've been that my dazzling duds were drawing more attacks.

So, I'm wondering if playing 24/15 this generation would make me more able to handle heavy armour--except that, in that case, I'll be weaker, and won't be able to offset the weightier armour as well...

Any polearmists out there with thoughts or tips? Does anyone know the sweet spot for speedy, brain-crunching builds? Danke seone.

[Elindor]

your combined armor weight detracts from your wpf. 

basically its the weight of your helm(x3), your gauntlets (x2), your body armor (x1) and your boots (x1) added up and and then put through an equation.

heres the info:

Armor weight
Armor weight modified proficiency = base proficiency * (1 - 0.01 * effective armor weight)
Effective armor weight = 3*head armor weight + body armor weight + leg armor weight + 2*hand armor weight - 7
(Source: WaltF4)

This means that every point of armor weight with helmet weight multiplied by 3 and glove weight multiplied by 2  over 7 reduces your wpf by 1%. Or the same put other way, any effective armor weight from the above equation reduces your wpf 1% per 1 point. So 130 wpf with 8 effective armor weight is actually 0.99 * 130 = 128.7 wpf

Effective WPF
There are three possible factors reducing your wpf from what is listed on the character sheet. First reduce your wpf by 13 for each point of power throw, then reduce your wpf by 14 for each point of power draw and then remove 1% of remaining wpf for each point of effective weight. For effective weight, see armor weight chapter above.

The same mathematically:
(wpf - 13*pt - 14*pd) * (1 - effective weight / 100)

what it means is that yes, heavier armor will make you swing slower/do less dmg slightly because of the WPF reduction.
it will also make you move a bit slower.

so if you're heavy strength build and you can only get so much wpf and athletics and you wear heavy armor, you will be slow.  thats the trade off 

[Byrdi]

If you still want to be a str polearm, which is OK. Then I would recommend you going 21/18. One of polearm's best features is the polestagger, you need atleast 18 agi (preferely 21) to make good use of it.

21 str still hurts a lot, I dont really think there is no reason to go any higher - unless it alot higher like 27-30+.

[Zanze]

A polearm's reach is one of its best strengths, you squander it by going 27/12 in my opinion. I would personally recommend 18/21 or 21/18. You'll kick ass, just remember. Abuse your reach and polestagger at every chance you get. Pick your fights, with 6-7 ath you are probably one of the fastest non-archers on the server.

[beniliusbob]

Well, I use a German Poleaxe, which is only 135 length... but I never thought about pole-stagger...

Thanks for the protips.

[_Sebastian_]

Strength reduces the "slow down effect" on equipment weigth.

So with 15str you would run a little bit faster as with 12str... if you wear any equipment.

[Oberyn]

Isn't the x3 and x2 multiplier from helmets and gloves only for ranged wpf?

[_Sebastian_]

Isn't the x3 and x2 multiplier from helmets and gloves only for ranged wpf?

No it effects all weapon proficiencies.