High Level Shielder Build (Seeking advice)

[HarryCrumb]

I was looking to get some insight on a build I plan on using for my final gen. The build would be a shielder with riding capabilities.

At 30:
21 Str / 18 Agi
7 PS
6 Ath
4 Shield
4 WM
2 IF

After 30, I'll begin to fill in stats, keeping at the 21/18 split.

A few quick questions to those that have higher level characters:

1. I've never personally noticed the difference between 4 and 5 shield skill other than being able to use a Huscarl shield. Would it be worth it to eventually get 6 shield skill or will I not notice a big difference?

2. WPF question: I will be doing some cavalry at higher levels and will more likely than not be using a lance. I know there is a belief that you don't need any WPF to lance but I was curious to see if someone thought it would be useful considering I could end up with 5 or 6 WM?

3. Why is Tom Cruise the worst player on NA?

Sincerely,

HarryCrumb

[Macropus]

1. The difference is not big, but noticeable. It's up to you to decide wheter you want your shield to take more hits before breaking and to have more speed or not. If you fight mainly on foot you might not need your shield that much, so 4 shield skill might work well.

2. You don't need wpf for couching with lance, but you definitely need it for normal hits with your lance. I'd say something like 70 or 100 wpf in polearm would be enough. 

3. Don't know. 

[Malaclypse]

1.) The difference between 4 and 6 is noticeable in durability and ranged protection radius. It's the second thing that really makes this worth it IMO, though the first is rad too.

2.) I've heard that proficiency reduces your couch cooldown? May just be another rumor. In any case, with 5 WM @ level 33, you could make a pretty respectable hybrid between 1h and polearm (118/111 split or something more like 130/94), which would add a lot of versatility, and versatility is FUN, especially for a high level build.

3.) Scientology.

If you ever got to 35 you could max every skill you use and do like a 130/115 prof split or something more even like 122/124.