1: It is not only an exaggeration, its wrong. Evidence: http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,118906.msg2872758.html#msg2872758
(Its myth number 4)
The only movement speed malus you get is the standard weight penalty.
2: It does? According to the thread I just linked, it doesn't. (Myth number 3)
3: I agree that the larger size of the shield can make it harder, but I still find blocking good feinters with shields harder to block than polearms for example.
4: They don't suffer a roughly 30 % percentage, they suffer 35 %.
Lets look at the mace with the 35% malus:
Mace
weapon length: 70
weight: 2.8
difficulty: 8
speed rating: 65 (99 originally)
weapon length: 70
thrust damage: 0 pierce
swing damage: 20 blunt (30 blunt originally)
slots: 1
Knockdown
4,225 gold
I don't know about you, but if it was me and I wanted to fight with a shield, I'd take the one-handed mace.
1. Ok, now you are being retarded. I never claimed the shield slowed you down because it's a shield. I said it slows you down just by having it (in the hand or on back, just the same), because they are bullshit heavy compared to everything else. Shields are have a very high weight, which slows you down a lot. It's not uncommon for shielders to move 2/3 or less compared to people with the same armour but a bigger weapon. This is annoying and unfair.
2. Try to use a slow speed, then try a 100 speed shield. The difference isn't the biggest one, but it is there. My guess is that this is something that was removed/changed/reworked in a version after that test in the thread you linked to, was made.
3. Thank you. And the good feinters with shield actually use this disadvantage as an advantage, since people don't expect people with shields to feint. It actually is possible to feint without making the shield go in a full block (in front of you, the obvious sign that the shielder is feinting), but it's easy and doesn't work all the time. Still can be used as a great surprise move, the same way the katana stab can be used to caught your opponent off guard.
4. Really? I remember waltF4's posts that he mentions it's not exactly a 35% reduction for every weapon, and that it is related to the speed of the weapon. Something along the shortened spear receives less of a nerf than the Heavy Lance and something. Can't find the thread, though...
Regardless. The 2h mace is still too good compared to the 1h versions. The reason we started to discuss shields was because of the most derpiest post made about "lulz it canz use a shieldz so it's so OP and good comparedz to it!" Even though the 2h mace can also be used with a shield. Anyway, as been proven here; having a shield is equally usefull as not having one, so the 2h mace should be equal in effectiveness-to-cost as the 1h maces.