Stabby RIP Stab Stab - Shielder Build

[Mallets]

If you don't feel like reading all this below... I'm basically asking for build advice on a Rondell/Buckler build.  Any tips on a build that worked for you would be great!

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Well folks... I've finally hit lvl 31 first.  That may not seem like much... but I started playing cRPG in March 2012.  Lol!  Mind you, I've only had about 6 months playing time all-together.  I played 2 months when I first started.  Then a year off.  Then another 2 months.  Then nearly a year off.  Back once again... about 2 months going now.  I've made tons of builds along with way.  Tons of respecs.  And never felt like taking with leap with a character (from lvl 30 to 31).  Finally did so.

So last night, I was able to retire and sell my first loom point!  But now I must rebuild my 1H Shielder.  I thoroughly enjoyed my previous build.  At lvl 30, I was 15/21 (see below for build).  I may draw taunts for this... but I mainly used a Rondel Dagger with a Round Steel Buckler.  When not using those, I'd use a Broad Short Sword and an Elite Cav Shield.  I keep my weight light.  Mainly go with a Red Gambeson (3.1 weight).  Sometimes will go with the Brynie (8.6 weight).  I'll also carry a very cheap axe for other shielders (One Handed Axe).

To give you an idea of my play style.  I'd not one to run away from a fight.  I do my share of S-keying of course.  But I tend to face anyone I come across.  I'm not great a footwork.  So no advanced trickery.  Just try to time my shoots right.  W-key forward when least expected and get off a stab.  Block with shield if it's not on.

All this info is to ask... what's a great build for a 1-Hand Shielder using a Rondel Dagger with a buckler???  Was the 15/21 perfect?  More STR?  More AGI?

Part of me thinks more AGI... because I have trouble catching AGI Polearm guys.  They can hit me from range... and immediately S-key any forward steps I make.  I can never reach them... even with 7 Athletics.  But I'm thinking a 9/27 build with only 3 PS would be too weak.  So do I go the opposite way... and go STR?  Go a 21/15 build with 7 PS?  Don't ever chase after folks and just wait for them to come to you?  Or catch tincans & platescums in a big melee pile and try to burst in with heavy-hitting stabs?

Just looking for some advice from experienced players.  I really suck at melee after all this time.  I've gotten better this last go round.  I never thought I'd like this build.  But I actually have tons of fun playing it.  So any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

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Strength: 15
Agility: 21

Hit points: 60

Skills to attributes: 2

Ironflesh: 5
Power Strike: 5
Shield: 5
Athletics: 7
Weapon Master: 7

One Handed: 170

[Killer]

Defiantly more agi if you want to use the daggers and want to keep up with agi polearms, I would suggest builds like 12-24, 12-27, 9-27, or 9-30. I have never tried any of these myself but from playing as a dagger guy before on stf a bit I know you want way more agility than strength

[no_rules_just_play]

powerstrike and strength are basically not needed with this build, it also makes it more fun to have a stronger shield and more athletics. You would probably even do tons of damage without any strength when you have a dagger and sufficient athletics.

[Palurgee]

Your build doesn't need that 5 ironflesh. I'd change it to 3 and put the extra two points into shield. This will make your shield stronger/faster, which is very important considering you're using a rondel.

15/21 is the build I would recommend though. You won't glance and you'll have the mobility to escape or catch up to most opponents. However you should also consider you're play style. If your intentions are to hunt archers and flank, 15/21 is a very solid build. If you'd rather hang around your teammates and deliver thrusts when enemies are preoccupied you may want a more strength oriented build (21/15). In my opinion the 15/21 build is more versatile but its usefulness depends on your skill as you'll almost certainly get caught out by cavalry and backpeddling opponents. If, as you've said, you face anyone you come across, the 15/21 build is more likely to appeal to you. Of course if you're torn you could try a neutral 18/18 build (6 WM, Ath, PS, shield, 5 IF).

[Mallets]

powerstrike and strength are basically not needed with this build, it also makes it more fun to have a stronger shield and more athletics. You would probably even do tons of damage without any strength when you have a dagger and sufficient athletics.

Do you need decent PS to penetrate heavy armor?  Some reason... I'm thinking that having low PS would cause me to glance against heavy armor.  Or will the speed bonus allow for penetration?

Oh... and I love speedy penetration... A-O!!!

Thanks for all the info given so far.  Keep it coming!

[San]

If you want to go zoom zoom, I'd just stretch the limits to what the stats can handle. Buckler is reliable past 6-7 shield, but I'd be hesitant about using it any lower. Since it's a non-stf, might not want to do something so experimental, though.

Do you need decent PS to penetrate heavy armor?

nope. W key into them and try to hold slightly if possible, and you'll deal good damage. The hard part is getting the next hit in, so 15-21 *might* be a tad slow. You're prone to glance if the attack lands too early/late, too.

[Huscarlton_Banks]

More AGI.

You only need 3 shield skill for brown lion heater/black and white heater/brown kite/kite shield, which are all light, high speed, and better vs bonus against shield weapons and projectiles than either buckler.

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 15
    Agility: 24
    Hit points: 50

    Skills to attributes: 8
    2 extra skill points, put in shield or WM.


    Ironflesh: 0
    Power Strike: 5
    Shield: 3
    Athletics: 8
    Riding: 0
    Horse Archery: 0
    Power Draw: 0
    Power Throw: 0
    Weapon Master: 5

    One Handed: 145
    Two Handed: 22
    Polearm: 22
    Archery: 1
    Crossbow: 1
    Throwing: 1

[no_rules_just_play]

Do you need decent PS to penetrate heavy armor?  Some reason... I'm thinking that having low PS would cause me to glance against heavy armor.  Or will the speed bonus allow for penetration?

Oh... and I love speedy penetration... A-O!!!

Thanks for all the info given so far.  Keep it coming!

I had a agi only character back when rondell wasn't nerfed yet, I didn't even use a shield. I could duel big tanky guys with shields. I am not sure however if this is still possible with the current dagger stats, but I would be certain that you don't need any more than 9-12 str.

[Mallets]

Thanks for the info guys!  I'm thinking I'll try AGI.  I'm thinking a 9/27 build.  Have two options.  One with IF, one without.  I'm sure most of you will say go without.  But it's the difference between 5 WM or 8 WM.  Not sure I need that much.  152 WPF compared to 186 WPF.  While it's only 6 hp, it'll boost me from 44 hp to an even 50 hp.

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Strength: 9
Agility: 27

Hit points: 50

Skills to attributes: 2

Ironflesh: 3
Power Strike: 3
Shield: 9
Athletics: 9
Weapon Master: 5

One Handed: 152

or

(click to show/hide)

Strength: 9
Agility: 27

Hit points: 44

Skills to attributes: 2

Power Strike: 3
Shield: 9
Athletics: 9
Weapon Master: 8

One Handed: 186

An alternative... and I'm liking this build the more I look at it... is to go 12/24 build.  Going 12 STR will allow me to use a wider variety of 1-hand weapons... in case I get bored of the Rondel.  Only dislike is that this is only 1 more ATH than my previous build.  I felt like 7 ATH lacked at times.  Not sure 1 more will help that much.

(click to show/hide)

Strength: 12
Agility: 24

Hit points: 49

Skills to attributes: 2

Ironflesh: 1
Power Strike: 4
Shield: 8
Athletics: 8
Weapon Master: 8

One Handed: 184

[WITCHCRAFT]

I have a knife-only character who is 15/27 at level 30. 5 PS, 9 Ath, and 3 WM (gets to just under 130wpf, plenty for a fast weapon like a dagger or knife).

You want to maximize your movement speed. Athletics and light armor will let you outright dodge many attacks. You can s-key out of range before a swing hits you, or circle around them so you are behind the swing before it even starts. for your build I would recommend:

15 Strength
24 Agility

5 Power Strike
8 Athletics
8 Shield
2 Weapons Master

Should get you 120 something WPF I think? You could drop a level of shield for more WPF, but I would not go below 6 shield skill. Don't bother with IF. The point of the build is to be so agile and flighty that you can step away from hits and never receive damage in the first place. The shield is good when you can't move out of harm's way, and helps against ranged/really long polearms too. Try this out on a STF character, it is a lot of fun. If you can't stand to live without IF then 12/24 might work out for you.

I see dagger builds (with or without shield) as an all-or-nothing gamble. Your athletics skill is vital. When you engage the enemy you should be able to dance around them, mocking each poorly made swing. When you are not engaged with an enemy your crazy speed will let you dodge ranged and cavalry more easily. You can pick and choose your target or circle the entire map to get behind enemies who are not looking over their shoulder (because you got behind them so early into the round).

[Mallets]

Thanks Witchcraft... really like that build!!!

With 2 WM, I'd only get 112 WPF.  Might have to drop to 7 shield and go one more WM for 124 WPF.  Tempting to go 6 shield and 4 WM, for 136 WPF.  Would have to avoid axes & bardiches.  Something I should probably do anyways.

Do you think 112 WPF is enough?

[no_rules_just_play]

I decided to make a full str 1H STF :p