Are Hoplites Still Viable?

[Macropus]

I have average k/d = 1/1 on EU 3 being 27|12 hoplite (with another builds my k/d is even worse), so I think hoplites are not as bad at dueling as most people think.
And I dunno why, but killing people with spear thrust attack brings 2x more fun than any other way of killing. 

[dodnet]

yes, then I would say Hoplite is indeed viable. And personally I don't understand why there are so few of them...

 I wouldn't say there are only few, there are plentry of hoplites around...

[gazda]

in my experiance, hoplites are very fun and viable class to play in group, but when you are 1v1 it gets quite frustrating

[Phew]

I haven't experimented too much with other shields, but think of it this way.

+0 Heavy Round is inoperable.
+0 Elite Cav is great.

I don't know the sweet spot of shield speed, but I can feint and pull some trickery with the elite cav that I cannot do with the heavy round. As a support class you don't necessarily need trickery, but it is nice to be able to 1v1 people as a hoplite for the added lols.

At +3 and with 6 or greater shield skill, the heavy round starts to behave like the fast shields when it comes to feinting. Huscarl and slower are just too slow for any 1v1 "trickery". I would kill for a round shield with stats halfway between the elite cav and the heavy round; that would truly be the "sweet spot".

I do think Elite Cav is great for hoplites though, since they don't need as much coverage or durability, and the lower weight helps with their poor mobility. Plus, Elite Cav+Katafraktoi Armor+Barbutte+Ashwood Pike just looks like a badass Roman centurion; I've seen several Hoplites with that setup.

[oohillac]

If you really want to hoplite and don't have a clan/friend to support you, I would strongly suggest the Double Sided Lance.  It hits incredibly hard, and can be efficiently used in close-quarters combat with shield still equipped.  The Ashwood is very clunky in close combat, but the DSL has extreme trouble against cavalry (tip: stand very still and stab the nose of the horse).  Know your length.

Step forward and stab, turn and backstep out of their attack (optionally blocking as you do this), then step back in for another stab.

Eventually you will get the hang of it, but against patient/smart players, 1v1s as a hoplite (= shield still out) leave you are at a severe disadvantage.

My extra advice:

Heavy strength works best.  If your shield breaks, think of it as a damage increase.

Wear heavy armour, use a Round Shield or Huscarl.  Take lots of Ironflesh.  More room for errors/glances.

AIM FOR THE FACE

Builds I enjoy, from a private Fallen hoplite guide:

(click to show/hide)

Strength: 33
Agility: 6
Hit points: 84
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 8
Power Strike: 11
Shield: 2
Athletics: 2
Polearm: 114

Hit harder than should ever be allowed. Was one-shotting a lot of medium targets with a +3 DSL with a shield equipped. Without a shield, a one-hit-KO on most targets with a stab.
Refused to die in ridiculous situations, too.
Weapon breaks were common, was expensive some days.
Slow as hell, I had trouble effectively supporting teammates in melees because I could not keep up.
Absolutely fantastic for frontline infantry though. Beautiful on siege mode. Lets you put down anybody, good or bad, who makes a slight mistake. Shield breakage was not too bad.

(click to show/hide)

Strength: 18
Agility: 18
Hit points: 65
Skills to attributes: 2
Ironflesh: 6
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 6
Athletics: 6
Weapon Master: 5
Polearm: 140ish
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL INTRODUCTORY HOPLITES

Study, fast, powerful. This build does it all, and easily earns my seal of approval. Can chase a lot of ranged, take a lot of hits, dish out non-glancing strikes, absorb tons of damage with a shield. Perfect for support, decent alone. Good as a non-stabby polearm character too, with a shield for ranged/tight situations (I run with a Poleaxe sometimes).

[callahan9119]

I'm trying a hybrid type hoplite atm, pole and one handed, unsure about my wpf split though.

[Sultan Eren]

If you have enough ATH, you can duel some (bad) players. With less than 5 ATH you'll have to play as support.

Kinda gimped tbh, but can be fun at times.

Leshma, this is bullshit.

Role:Main
Generation:16
Type:Regular
Level:32
Experience:33,313,213
Level up in:4,019,064
Next level:37,332,277
Kills/Deaths:3841/1526, 2.5:1

[FRANK_THE_TANK]

Leshma, this is bullshit.

Role:Main
Generation:16
Type:Regular
Level:32
Experience:33,313,213
Level up in:4,019,064
Next level:37,332,277
Kills/Deaths:3841/1526, 2.5:1

I suppose it really comes down to foot work, positioning and knowing when to toss the shield on your back, like any shielder.

I always hated going 1v1 with a shield, much prefered to throw it on my back swash some buckle.