Best 1handed Cavalry in NA

[EponiCo]

Yes

[Lorn]

I want to do a cav build based around sword cav, I need some help:

I want to use a longsword and carry a shield for when I'm on my horse (or put in on my back, I dont care) and I'll obviously be able to fight on foot with the sword.

Im concerned that trying to put enough points into riding, 1h and 2h would stretch me thin.

Possible? Y/N

It's possible, I remember Mountinlord_Lans did something similar, but I don't think he put anything in 1h.

If you're planning on fighting while using the shield on foot then I would recommend placing at least some points in 1h(but you may not need to to still be effective), but if you're going to use the sword + shield on horseback to slash people I think it would be best to not place any points in 1h.

[beast_lover]

I am the best.

[Duster]

Yeah, don't put any points into 1h.

[Kaelaen]

As mentioned three times already, don't put points in one-hand.  Your horse will provide the speed boost and knowing you you're going to put away your shield anyway when on the ground.  You might even be comfortable just having your shield on your back on horseback until you're getting shot at, pretty sure I've seen Joseph of Acre (or something) play like that effectively.

[PhantomZero]

I guess thats fine, but if you get de-horsed or want to play some siege you are fucked.

[Glyph]

but most cav people don't really care about that otherwise they wouldn't be cav. and they can always have an alt for siege.

[Rhade]

I guess thats fine, but if you get de-horsed or want to play some siege you are fucked.

I think I'll be just fine on foot.

[John]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with 1H proficiency, since swinging a longsword from horseback without a shield in your hand uses 2H proficiency.  I don't actually hold my shield up that often on horseback, either.  The passive defense from a shield against missiles hitting you in the back is really nice as well.  With some decent armor, arrows and bolts will glance off your back when you're riding away pretty frequently.  (That large damage reduction from the shield plus the large negative movement modifier is enough to nullify a lot of the rangers out there)

Of course, you can always pull the shield off your back if there's lots of archers aiming at you, and 1 proficiency swings are still viable, especially when attacking someone who's unaware of you.  Anyway, that's what I would do if I wanted to use a bastard weapon.

[Kafein]

Having low proficiency in the weapon you are using on horse can even be an advantage, because you swing lasts longer so you are less likely to miss by wrong timing.

[Rhade]

Thanks for the advice, guys, appreciated.