Can we all at least agree that the 'rock paper scissors' mechanic that everyone claims exists, does not, in fact, exist? Previously people would say 'shield beats archer, archer beats 2h, 2h beats shield'. As it is, shielders beat archers ifthey've got a huscarl, archers beats 2h and 2h has a chance to beat shielders IF they are using an axe or crushthrough weapon. What exactly are swords for nowadays? Pre-patch it was much easier to take on a shielder (barring the no-lifers who were level 40+) as a 2h/polearm user; the weight of their shield significantly affected their speed. As it is now, almost all shielders have similar speed to a 2h/polearm user. The only disadvantage they have is that their weapons are limited to ~100 range, but even then, 2h have the same (or less) range on any weapons that are of high enough speed that they might actually be able to beat a 1h.
Hell, even using an axe hardly works. I've spent ages with a great bardiche beating on a shielder with high shield skill and an heirloomed huscarl, the whole time with me trying to frantically manual block their shots while they cruise through on easy mode. It's inevitable that I will eventually screw up a block (especially because feinting is so much easier for a shielder) and often more than once. Then I might finally break their shield (if their team mates haven't rushed in to rape me) an they essentially turn into a 2h with full health (seriously, that side sword is really just a katana with lower slash).
If I try to crushthrough, any decently fast 1h can just spam me (no, I don't have a loomed barmace, so I have to stick to mauls).
This isn't even mentioning the good ones who turtle it up until an axe comes out, then they take off their shield to protect it and take advantage of the huge speed difference between the weapons. As soon as you put away the axe to get out a faster sword, they turtle again.
Sorry for the bitching (and the slightly off topic rant). How do other people counter decent turtles
reliably 1vs1? I find that I'm decent at fighting other 2h/polearms, but as soon as I have to fight any other class it just seems they have an advantage over me (which is why I have my 'rage' characters, so I can turtle it up or throw to get a better K/D and stop hating the mod
)