Question on 1h build. 18/18 vs 21/18 vs 18/21.

[SixThumbs]

Neither of these builds are what you suggested but I was considering either a 18/24 or 24/18 shielder with max athletics and power strike and 3 points in shield.

[rustyspoon]

This is the build I use and it is currently my favorite.

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 18
Agility: 21
Hit points: 53
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 0
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 6
Athletics: 7
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 4
One Handed: 138
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

I use an Italian sword and never glance. With speed bonus and head hits I can kill people fairly quickly. I honestly find stacking strength as a 1-hander not worth it unless you're using a military cleaver. Having 7 athletics is just a hell of a lot more fun than 5.

[Laufknoten]

This is the build I use and it is currently my favorite.

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

Strength: 18
Agility: 21
Hit points: 53
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 0
Power Strike: 6
Shield: 6
Athletics: 7
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 4
One Handed: 138
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1

I use an Italian sword and never glance. With speed bonus and head hits I can kill people fairly quickly. I honestly find stacking strength as a 1-hander not worth it unless you're using a military cleaver. Having 7 athletics is just a hell of a lot more fun than 5.

Then you could go 18/18 as well, with more weaponmaster and some ironflesh. I don't think 7 ath is a huge advantage over 6. Also the more hp will safe your ass sometimes. 21/18 is probably a good build for steel pick users though.

[San]

The thing about being slower with more strength, if you want to be faster, shielders can afford to wear really light armor at times. You just have to be wary about team hits mostly, but you'll still retain your power from your power strike.

Very light armor should only be used with 7+ ironflesh though. You'll still take a few hits before dying that way.

[CrazyCracka420]

I'm cavalry and I use an 18/18.  If I was ever a footman I'm pretty sure I'd want to do something like 21/15, or if I had enough skills to go around, 21/18.  If you're infantry I don't think you would ever need to do a "balanced" 18/18 build, you'd have more skills than you really need (just my assumption).  Even more so if you don't use a shield. 

[Nightstalian]

So instead of making my own 1h thread I'll use this one (and others).
For a one handed sword should I go;
Italian Sword: Slowest/Longest length/Highest cut
or
Espada Eslavona: Fastest/Shortest Length/Highest pierce
or
Side Sword: Balance of Both

[CrazyCracka420]

So instead of making my own 1h thread I'll use this one (and others).
For a one handed sword should I go;
Italian Sword: Slowest/Longest length/Highest cut
or
Espada Eslavona: Fastest/Shortest Length/Highest pierce
or
Side Sword: Balance of Both

I personally like the knightly arming sword, still pretty fast, and the length is really nice, or go one higher to the champion nordic sword.  But these are basically the most expensive 1h's.  I see the long arming sword has the same stats, except 1 less cut.  The arabian guard sword looks like a nice weapon too (basically these same stats).

31 cut
24 pierce
97 speed
102 length

I go back and forth between the knightly arming sword and a 1handed broad battle axe.  I love the extra damage and the speed is nice too, but when I get tired of not having the 102 length, I go back to the sword.  If you have enough power strike, the elite scimitar is probably the best 1h sword.

[Nightstalian]

I myself at 30 will have
    18/18
    Hit points: 65

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Ironflesh: 6
    Power Strike: 6
    Shield: 5
    Athletics: 6
    Weapon Master: 6

    One Handed: 154

[Dunecat]

A little slow, but bearable variation, designed for longer one-handed swords, level 30;

Attributes
Strength   27   
Agility   12   

Weapon proficiency
One Handed   130

Skills
Iron Flesh    0
Power Strike   9
Shield   4   
Athletics   4   
Riding   3
Horse Archery   0
Power Draw   0
Power Throw   0
Weapon Master   3   

[FRANK_THE_TANK]

Oh yeah, totally forgot.

21/21 7PS 7MW or 7ATH.

[Miwiw]

So instead of making my own 1h thread I'll use this one (and others).
For a one handed sword should I go;
Italian Sword: Slowest/Longest length/Highest cut
or
Espada Eslavona: Fastest/Shortest Length/Highest pierce
or
Side Sword: Balance of Both

If you have the gold to buy those and be ready to repair them more often, you should test them. They are neither bad by dmg, speed nor length. However I won't buy any of those (not only they do not fit my armor style, but they are also too expensive for me), but go with the Broad Short Sword and sometimes with the Long Arming Sword. Both have a nice damage for their price (26p/27c with 6,336 and 24p/30c with 6,708), plus their speed and length are nice too.
It also depends on you, what you prefer in combat. Some people like a shorter sword because they go very close to their enemy anyway. As long as you have your shield that also shouldnt be a problem. Once you lose it, a 2handed sword guy or polearm/piker could outrange you, probably even outspam by that range. There you have a disatvantage with a short range for sure. However this is always up to your personal opinion, which sword you like most in the end.
I played with a side sword with my old character some time ago and liked it, it felt nice, speed and damage wise.

I currently go and play a 15/21 build with 1hand/shield with shield skill 6, ath and wm 7 and less in IF and PS. However I just try to play with this in this gen and might take another build in the next gen, but I really like being fast currently. However I usually go by 5 ath and more IF/PS.

(click to show/hide)

Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)

    Strength: 15
    Agility: 21
    Hit points: 58

    Skills to attributes: 2

    Ironflesh: 4
    Power Strike: 5
    Shield: 6
    Athletics: 7
    Riding: 0
    Horse Archery: 0
    Power Draw: 0
    Power Throw: 0
    Weapon Master: 7

This is made for the steel shield. Remove a shield skill and put it to IF if you wish.