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backpedal +
spam is the best solution for a new player
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I don't want to mention worthless poor peasant crabs, who are always very obvious. You don't need any "strategy" to kill them.
Maul will not work every time, since the overhead crash through animation is ALWAYS slower then 1h side swings. A good turtle will never lose to a mauler, if there is place to maneuver.
Feint attacks will only work as a surprise first attack. I am a fcking King of Feinting, so i know all about it.
Sometimes, when i chain 4-5 feints - a turtle gets angry, and i might sneak a hit under its shield, but that is only for 1 vs 1. There is no time to feint and block for 2 min, if you are in a battle/siege.
Generally, i always lose to a good shield user when in closed space. In the open field - footwork is the key to victory! You need to confuse your target by rapid movements and unpredictable swing pattern and timing
That is if you want it to be a "fair fight", otherwise - use the length of your weapon and spam from a safe distance. But that's for whores
EDIT:
P.S. Kicking is a joke
Its is not a reliable tactics, rather a neat trick to be used from time to time. ( and don't BS me about it - i play long enough to know )