And you get near IMMUNITY (read it, IMMUNITY) to ALL RANGED ATTACKS. And the ability to block an UNLIMITED number of attacks at once. Damn you shielders and your selective reading.
LOL have you ever played this game? This is bullshit. Poleaxe wielder will spam me with attacks not allowing me to perform any counter strike, after 3-5hits my shield is evaporized and I am screwed.
Shielders are the killers of all things ranged, the bastions of strength and longevity, line holders, SUPPORT. The 2-handers are the GLASS(ish) CANNONS, high damage/low survivability.
I can do "something" only when I'm lvl ~30 and geared up like a tank. I get like 2:1, 3:1 kill/death ratio at best. Friend of mine, who has 2h sword runs half naked and gets 10:1 12:1 k/d ratio.
My usual tactic in combat is just standing with shield up, and awaiting more of my team players to flank enemy and backstab them.
You Sir, are posting crap.
Of course, I am not whining, because I am aware of my handicap, but knowing my few advantages helps me to perform well on battlefield, although I can't find any way to win a duel against a 2h mace/hammer - cant get into range and not get knocked over/killed by breakthrough shield attack. I know they're slower, but they run too fast in mail/leather armors.
Anyways except scoreboard shielders are big boost for battle outcome (I mean siege, cause no point for me entering battle server). In fact, shielders and pikemen seem to be only men always focused on objective, while other roam for free kills.
Btw. as a light armoured 2h swordsman your manoeuvrability is so decent, that you can just step back whilst I am swinging my funny short weapon, and hit me easly.