I'm sick of hearing this line, only counter to shields. Having good foot work is best counter to any shielder you'll ever need. Knowing your weapons reach and when to attack will kill ANY shielder. Crushtrough weapons are stupid, nothing more than that. Same goes for couched lance, anything that can't be blocked give the power to those who aren't very good at attacking and blocking and that shouldn't be the case.
None of this is true with a strength build, or even a balanced build vs a competent agi shielder. A competent shielder with decent athletics won't let you get behind him, and doesn't fall for feints. As a matter of fact, many people will attest to the fact that Matey, who I was talking to, almost never falls for feints. He is also very good at not letting you behind him. Pair that with a spammable/fast weapon held by the shielder, and your entire statement only serves to make you look like you don't know what you're talking about.
Furthermore, a heavy polearm will block an overhead from a great maul with a good amount of consistency. So this gives the benefit to the person who DOES know how to block, rather than use a shield, contrary to your above post. Additionally, when it DOES crush through, if you blocked, the damage is reduced.
A great maul is dreadfully slow, and unless you're using a super-short weapon with no athletics, you can hit them and interrupt their swing very easily. At the end of the day, all the things you said "counter" a shielder will work equally as well, or even better vs someone wielding a great maul.
i havent tested the steel shield too much, but from bits of testing... i got crushed through worse and for more damage.
No, this isn't the way it works. If you want to take less damage from crush through, or get crushed through less than with the huscarl shield, you need a shield that is heavier than the huscarl. These are your options:
1 - plate-covered round shield. 10 weight.
2 - Heavy Board shield - 11 weight.
3 - Steel Shield - 12 weight.
All of those will be more effective against crush through than the 9 weight huscarl shield.