Desperately need help. Tips, build planning, ect.

[Dimethyl_Hypnotoad]

I started playing this game late last week. Only been playing for probably a few days.
I am getting crushed. In everything.
Duel, Battle, whatever.   
I find this mod so addicting and fun.. but frequently during matches my kd will be 0-6, 0-4, or 1-5.
I've only killed five people since starting the game.. and died around 50 or so times.

Right now I am trying what people call easy.. which is sword and board.
But I am getting murdered by everyone.
2H'ers spam their attacks faster than I can and take the shield out with like three hits and then its game over.
1H'ers mutilate me because they are even faster than the 2H'ers.
I don't even want to get started on the Polearm guys.. the way they swing those things doesn't even seem possible.
The only people I seem to kill are startled archers. Thats it.

I am a noob.. and I understand there is a learning curve to this mod.. but jesus christ am I not doing something right?
It puts me off so much cause I want to play this and at least be adequate but I end up being that guy at the bottom of your team you wish wasn't there.
I can't seem to use any armor in battle cause I start to lose money at an alarming rate.
I've been using this setup and this is my build thusfar.

Head: Black hood with Mask
Body: Pilgrim Disguise
Hands: Leather gloves
Legs: Khergit leather boots
Shield: Blue and Purple kite shield

Weapon: Winged Mace (I was told this to be good because it does damage to armored foes.. but uh.. those armored foes are usually raping me anyway.)

Age: 35
Level: 20
Strength: 13
Agility: 12

One Handed: 125

Iron Flesh: 4
Power Strike: 4
Shield: 4
Athletics: 4
Weapon Master: 4

Please be easy on me as I have no idea what I am doing and after reading builds and the beginners guide I am still lost as what to do.
Just looking for an experienced person to guide me in the right direction cause I want to be good at this mod as I plan on playing it a lot.

[Elmetiacos]

Okay... so far your character has been weak. From this level on, you may start to actually see kills happening, but development can be slower for shielders according to some shield experts. It's time to decide whether you want to go for an "attacking" shielder, in which case you want to emphasise str more for PS and damage, or whether to be a "defending" shielder and maximise your shield skill. There are guides on both. Yes, your mace will damage armoured targets more than a cutting weapon, but your big problem is its very short length. As a newbie  I'd recommend you get a longer sword of some kind, as it takes a specialised fighter to win by "face hugging" and until you can do it you will suffer against more experienced players.

[Thucydides]

lvl 20 is still peasant stage, The game picks up once you're lvl 27.

[Spawny]

Shielder builds don't really start to get going before level 25 or so. That's when you hit 5 in IF, PS, Ath, Shield and WM.

If you're a pro, you can get kills before that, for new players that's about where you will start to be able to get a 1 on 1 kd ratio.

My best advice after reading all the guides and stuff there is to find about playing a 1h shielder build:

Find someone to teach you.

All clans have at least 1 shielder who knows what he's doing, some clans even consist of just shielders *cough*wolves*cough*.
They can teach you the ropes on the duel servers, after which you can put your newly acquired skills to the test on the battle or siege servers.
I'd recommend siege first, as it's a bit more forgiving when you die. You don't have to wait 5 minutes for your next respawn.

[Dezilagel]

...Also consider dropping that shield. While learning manual blocking is hard at the start, I for one  found it much more satisfactory/challenging/fun than autoblocking.

But yeah, as the above posters said, don't be discouraged if you have a horrible k:d ratio at first, we've all been there , and it's not untill you hit 25-ish that you start to do serious damage. However, it's a two-edged sword as most of the players you encounter will be higher level than you are, you can feel a little extra good about yours3elf when you do manage to kill them   

[Digglez]

...Also consider dropping that shield. While learning manual blocking is hard at the start, I for one  found it much more satisfactory/challenging/fun than autoblocking.

horrible idea.  going to make the already frustrated NEW player leave.


Give it 2-3 weeks at least.  It takes quite awhile to learn weapons, reaches, timing and moves. 

Its akin to playing chess vs the computer.  Dont expect to win AT ALL while you are learning.  After you have mastered the basics and mechanics you will start to accumulate strategies and tactics and start getting some hard earned wins.


You need to learn the game mechanics, which swings are faster, which confur range bonus/penalty, which does more dmg, etc.

Btw if you havent learned already, you have  speed penalty after someone has blocked your attack and viceversa if someone hits your shield.  As soon as they hit your shield, thats your opportunity to counter-attack.  If they block your attack, DO NOT attack again, prepare to block.  You've probably noticed people doing these back and forth attacks...thats when you start throwing in feints & delayed or held attacks to throw peoples rhythms off.

[duurrr]

the key to crpg is simple.

log on native, sit on duel server for 2 weeks

come to crpg, crush souls with a 2h/pole at lvl 10.

[gazda]

Whatever class you pick , you will always have moments when it seems that this other class is way better.
All the classes are well balanced. I would suggest this build
Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 18
Agility: 18
Skills to attributes: 2
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 6
Athletics: 5
Riding: 6
Weapon Master: 6
it is very balanced and all around build, if you dont wanna be cav just put those 6 riding in ironflesh. I tried many builds, and i must say this one was the best i tried

[Christo]

^

What he said. Don't be an STR stacker like everyone else. 18/18 "full six" is the real deal.

[Dimethyl_Hypnotoad]

Thanks for all the help guys.
Will be trying out the suggestions tonight hopefully.
I can't just leave haha.. I'm already hooked.

The analogy you used about chess is incredibly accurate.
I just need more practice.

[CoWorm]

Just echoing what other people have said. Your first gen as a new player is rough, especially if you haven't played much native and have some experience. Just stick with it, try to learn and have fun!

Also try not to focus on kills, but rather what use you can do for your team. Killing horses, putting up ladders, shielding and protecting archers and crossbow men from ninjas. Even if you just wound a horse or a enemy that can help your team quite abit. Play it safe, look for openings to strike from the side or behind, or just put on pressure by being present with your shield by your teammates.

http://forum.c-rpg.net/index.php/topic,1545.0.html
Have a read trough that, helped me understand the melee mechanics abit better when I was brand new to multiplayer.

[Dezilagel]

horrible idea.  going to make the already frustrated NEW player leave.

I'm just saying from my own experience, I started out as a 18-18 hybrid doing a little bit of everything (archery, shielding, polearm), and quickly abandoned everything but noshield melee because I found it boring and unsatisfying.

Learning to manual block was hard ofc. but it was fun, not frustrating.

And I felt that my progression as a player was much more rapid while playing without a shield, since you had to be constantly awake to follow feints and such, not just hold rmb and listen for the "thud".

Not all new players are looking for the easiest way to get a bunch of frags, but the best way to learn how to play the game, and imo, from my own experience, that is to play noshield melee. Nothing wrong with playing a shielder ofc., but a shielder that CAN manual block is several times more deadly than one who can't.

It's just my opinion ofc.

[Phazey]

Absolutely. Getting 1 : 10 kill to death ratio in the first 20 levels you play is fine, really. I'd say you are doing pretty good for a newbie. 

Seriously, don't worry, you'll improve lots and lots in the coming weeks. Your character will get better and most importantly, you will also!

Best advice i can give you: train with experienced players. Try the duelling server for half an hour each night or a bit longer if you can find a player willing to give you a few pointers.

There are so many tricks and techniques to learn:

• good footwork
• spamming
• manual blocking
• judging weapon reach and speeds
• holding swings
• feinting
• chamberblocking
• facehugging
• max range swinging
• target switching
• using freelook
• running
• battlefield awareness
• map knowledge
• recognizing players
• teaming up
• discussing and using tactics

• Timing when you step in- and out of range of your enemy. Moving forward when your swing hits. Anticipating your opponents movements, judging their movement speed compared to you.
• Attacking quickly after one of your swings gets blocked. Possible only with fast weapons against slower weapons and players with low weapon proficiency.
• Using your weapon to block one of the four attack directions, instead of using your shield. Great when your shield breaks, but also consider putting your shield on your back (or even dropping it) when fighting shield breaking polearms, axe wielders or even two handers.
• Knowing the reach and speed of the weapons your opponents wield can give you a great advantage. Picking the right technique for the situation you're in is critically important. Don't try to outspam someone wielding a scimitar or outrange someone wielding a flamberge.
• Just keeping your left mouse butten pressed half a second instead of just clicking it can throw off the best manual blockers. It also makes chamberblocking your attacks almost impossible.
• Starting an attack, quickly pressing block and then starting a new attack. For example: start an overhead, cancel it by pressing block and starting an new attack from left to right. Great way to throw off good (manual) blockers and most shielders, but you risk getting spammed.
• When a swing is about to hit you, start a new swing matching the incoming attack direction. Must also aim for head or upper body. Very difficult, but certainly not impossible. Only the top 5% of the playerbase can effectively use this in a fight. Try chamberblocking an incoming pike thrust with an overhead swing, for example.
• Counts as footwork and works very well. The opposite of max range swinging, you get up in someone's face and try to get behind him by moving left and right. Good camera control and control of your swing directions is important here. Using the right type of swing will make your swing connect earlier, especially if you 'turn into your swings' a bit.
• The opposite of facehugging, you backpedal out of range and control the fight by staying out of range and only stepping forward into range when you swing. Athletics (and low weight gear) is important for this, but also knowing your opponent's movement speed and weapon range. Works great against enemies wielding the shorter weapons, especially  slow enemies (wearing heavy armor for example).
• When facing multiple opponents, suddenly swinging at the other guy can catch him off guard. Timing is important here, as is battlefield awareness. Keeping track of multiple opponents and their attack rhythm is key. Running away (exposing your back)and suddenly turning back to swing might also work.
• The ~ button allows you to face one direction but look around freely. Great trick to fool that guy creeping up behind you, keeping an overview of the battle while standing in a shield wall or for looking around corners.
• Did you know you run faster when not blocking or holding an attack? And even faster when not holding anything in your hands? Sheathing your sword and putting your shield on your back allows you to move faster. Keep in mind that you accellerate several seconds when running uninterrupted, so try to avoid things that slow you down, like slopes, bumping into other players, blocking and swinging. Don't hold a swing when chasing an enemy.
• Knowing which way the fight is going, where your teammates and enemies are, where the enemy cavalry is, who spotted you and who didn't, where the enemy archers are, etc, etc, etc. This one is hugely important, but also difficult to describe and classify. Keeping battlefield awareness is critical, especially in the bigger battles. Not venturing out into the open when enemy cavalry is near you, not exposing your sides or back to enemy archers, sticking with teammates, spotting a flanker, there is too much to mention here.
  
• Knowing the map and the map dynamics is also helps a lot. After playing maps several times, you get a feel for the positions and commonly used tactics, which helps you make decisions and anticipate which way the fight is going, how to flank the enemy archers, where to camp, etc.
• When playing longer, you'll learn to recognize notable players by their outfits and eventually even by how they move and what attack sequences, footwork and other techniques they use. Each player has his own style and is vulnerable to different attacks and tricks.
• Sticking with that piker or two hander, staying in front of him and protecting him with your shield against both ranged attacks and any melee swings he fails to block... teamplay is key. Use teamspeak, join a clan, but also befriend players just by sticking with them and saluting them at the start of a round, this is what makes cRPG shine.
• Making a plan helps. I wrote a little guide on the use of tactics in cRPG ages ago. It's a bit dated, but probably still worth the read: http://forum.c-rpg.net/index.php/topic,27.0.html

And i bet i'm forgetting a few tricks in my little list. Anyways, i guess what i wanted to say is: don't worry, you're doing fine and you'll get much better. cRPG is a very complex game with a steep learning curve, but it's also very rewarding and leads to great, interesting combat.

Your build looks fine by the way. I'd go for 18 agility first, so you can get 6 athletics, 6 weapon mastery and 5 shield first. Don't forget you should convert 2 skillpoints into one attribute point once before you reach level 30, because then your build will be 'finished' (18 str / 18 agi) at level 30. You can also go 15 / 21 or 21 / 15.

Good luck out there. I hope this helps.

[Phazey]

Also, i almost forgot: here are a few video to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jHcZjWw9U
I found them very useful when i got started. Take a peek at some of the other video's from reapy and maybe look around on youtube.

[Knute]

Something else that might help:  try turning your mouse sensitivity up to about 90% or more in the option menu so it doesn't take as much hand movement to block or attack.