Lowest effective shield skill?

[Ubereem]

What is the lowest shield skill I can have without it being a total waste? Assuming I'm using a masterwork shield. 2 shield skill? 3?

Will have 3 points to use soon and just wondering if it's worth it. Could I use 2 points on riding(for sumpter lol) and 1 point for shield? Am I wasting points or what?

[Shemaforash]

I'd say 3, otherwise It's not worth it..

[Zaren]

If ur using the shield for anything more than occasionally catching an arrow and hoping it doesnt go through(since u can shoot through low tier shields especially with low shield skill)......3. Anything less than 3 wont hold up in combat and 3 is already pushing it.

[Tovi]

3

But you can try 1 if you just want to block arrows.

[isatis]

it all depends

if you only want a shield to block some arrows before a migthy charge (like old board shield), then go with 1 and 2 riding for SKITD (Single Knight Innovative Transportation Device = sumpter)

if you want to actually use it, go for 3 or it's a waste!

[Ubereem]

SKITD (Single Knight Innovative Transportation Device = sumpter)

exactly my man exactly 

ok which is a good 3 shield to masterwork? brown lion heater? green crescent? steel buckler? other? If anyone is looking to trade I have mw steel pick .

[owens]

If you want to have low shield skill and dont need melee get a big tall shield

If you arent going to use it from horseback get a board if you are maybe a norman. Big shields protect your head and feet remember no skill= no force field

[Shemaforash]

I'd use kite or heater shield

[Phew]

Horseman's Heater if you want to be able to stop +3 Steel Bolts fired from +3 Arbalests (fairly common on the battlefield). Just remember you won't have much of a forcefield, so you will still catch a lot of projectiles in your feet/head.
Round Shield if you want to be able to catch arrows fired from various angles
Board Shield if you want it to hold up in melee
Heater/Kite/Norman for horseback

Brown kite is one of my favorite 3-skill shields for general use, but even at +3, bolts penetrate pretty often.

[CrazyCracka420]

Just agreeing with others here, 3 shield skill is the lowest I'd recommend going, that's when you start getting quite a few decent shields.

I'd suggest the black and white kite shield or the heater shield (since they have a higher armor rating, which will help with bolt penetration, not going to squat against attacks to the shield, every attack will be over 12 damage most likely)

[Ubereem]

one more question: is the shield going to add to my overall weight? basically im going to hoplite with my mw throwing lance and right now I  have exactly the right amount of throwing wpf. i will have no way to add more until level 32. so will the shield give me red proficiency warning?

[CrazyCracka420]

It will add weight to your character (and slow you down), but doesn't affect your WPF deductions.  Only armor (items on the left of your inventory screen) affect your weapon proficiency.  Items on the right (equipment) add to your total weight, slowing you down, but they don't drop your WPF.

That is what I've always been told, will prob want one of the cool kids (math nerds) to confirm it.

[Ubereem]

thnx cracka

[WITCHCRAFT]

How much skill you "need" depends on your build and what you want the shield for.

If you're a hoplite/thrower, I'd recommend a board, kite, or norman shield. Get at least 3 shield skill. The wide area of the shields will make up for your lower skill (higher shield skill increases your block radius beyond the stats and physical model of the shield). They will catch as many arrows as you will need in a battle/siege round, but will break against strength-based melee attackers.

If you can spare 4-5 shield skill (it's really not that much of an investment), the knightly heater, heavy round, and plate covered round shield are all great choices. The knightly heater shield has fast blocking, which is good when you are using spear+shield against other melee. The heavy round shield and plate covered round shield will last a long time against anything that isn't an axe.

I haven't used the hand pavise, but it is similar to the knightly heater shield. Good durability with quick blocking speed.

Don't forget to pick a shield that looks good with the rest of your equipment! There's many options, and unless you are 100% set on getting THE BEST GEAR for your build (skill counts more than gear anyway), make your items aesthetically pleasing to yourself.