Shields overhaul

[Matey]

it sounds like some of you are finally understanding how to play shielder
but its not 6+ ath... its 8ath or no balls.
agi shielding with light armour is the way to go if you know how to use your shield. if you have medium or heavy armour and less than 6 shield skill then you arent really a shielder... you are just a guy who likes to carry a piece of wood around to take a few hits but isnt proficient enough with it to avoid getting hit all the time anyways and thus needs armour and hp.

[Turboflex]

unfortunately shield can't stop: arrows from behind/side, teamwounds from behind, and horsebumps (which take 1/2 hp in light armour). I played a long time in leather and huscarl shield, it's much nicer being able to take 5+ hits in decent armor.

[Phew]

it sounds like some of you are finally understanding how to play shielder
but its not 6+ ath... its 8ath or no balls.
agi shielding with light armour is the way to go if you know how to use your shield. if you have medium or heavy armour and less than 6 shield skill then you arent really a shielder... you are just a guy who likes to carry a piece of wood around to take a few hits but isnt proficient enough with it to avoid getting hit all the time anyways and thus needs armour and hp.

One word: teammates.

In theory, a shielder shouldn't need armor or Ironflesh. Except you will get teamhit in every encounter.

[Penitent]

Yes, I have to beef up because I'm constantly getting team hit.

I HAVE A SHORT WEAPON I HAVE TO GET CLOSE WHY CAN"T YOU SEE ME

;)

[Phew]

Yes, I have to beef up because I'm constantly getting team hit.

I HAVE A SHORT WEAPON I HAVE TO GET CLOSE WHY CAN"T YOU SEE ME

;)

If they made a light armor that offered 100% protection from teammates and 0% protection from enemies, I bet it would be the most popular item in the history of crpg.

[Leshma]

it sounds like some of you are finally understanding how to play shielder
but its not 6+ ath... its 8ath or no balls.
agi shielding with light armour is the way to go if you know how to use your shield. if you have medium or heavy armour and less than 6 shield skill then you arent really a shielder... you are just a guy who likes to carry a piece of wood around to take a few hits but isnt proficient enough with it to avoid getting hit all the time anyways and thus needs armour and hp.

I can't play as agi shielder because I don't have +3 one hander and even if I did have something damaging like Military Cleaver it's still not enough against all those armoured people with 75-80 HP. Steel Pick and Warhammer are only viable choiced for agi shielder, and those weapons aren't my cup of tea. I like swords.

But my total armor weight is 2.

[Phew]

unfortunately shield can't stop: arrows from behind/side, teamwounds from behind, and horsebumps (which take 1/2 hp in light armour). I played a long time in leather and huscarl shield, it's much nicer being able to take 5+ hits in decent armor.

I noticed you spending a lot more time at the top of the scoreboard when you switched from that tribal leather to real armor ;-)

Oni manages to wreck in light armor as 1h, but not many people are cool like that.

[rustyspoon]

I can't play as agi shielder because I don't have +3 one hander and even if I did have something damaging like Military Cleaver it's still not enough against all those armoured people with 75-80 HP. Steel Pick and Warhammer are only viable choiced for agi shielder, and those weapons aren't my cup of tea. I like swords.

But my total armor weight is 2.

Go 18/21. 6 PS is more than enough to kill someone with a sword. It's all about held attacks and speed bonus.

One word: teammates.

In theory, a shielder shouldn't need armor or Ironflesh. Except you will get teamhit in every encounter.

I can attest to this. I don't wear armor anymore and it seems like 80-90% of my deaths are the result of teammates. They either TK me, or hit me in the back and some asshole 1 shots me.

My biggest fear is when teammates come to "help" me.

[Leshma]

I'm seriously thinking about that build. That way I will be able to make cav/1h/polearm hybrid.

Currently I'm 21/14 and it's not that bad. I learned few useful tricks, how to deal with other shielders. I'm stil bad at range and backpedaling enemies kill me often.

Left swing spam while going sideways to force hiltslashes works like a charm against most shielders. Too bad I can't do that vs 2H, because I'm risking to get into dangerous zone where my shield isn't doing its job anymore...

[Phew]

It's a sad testament to the state of 1h/shield, but most shielders would agree that other shielders are their easiest opponents.

2h just hiltslash or backpedal or kick you to death, polearm will usually break your shield in 3 hits, maulers crush you, archers/xbow/throwers kite you, cav couch you. You have to significantly out-skill any of these classes to beat them. Meanwhile, a 2h or pole that's been playing for a month will usually beat a shielder of equal or slightly greater skill.

I've never played 2h in my life until I made a 18/21 STF mauler, and I do better with him just spamming overheads and never blocking than I do with +12 worth of looms as a shielder. Pathetic.

[Penitent]

Man, other shielders are my hardest opponents.  Easiest is 2hand and pole for me.
I have to carry an axe sidearm for when I come up against a shielder.  If I'm impatient, they kill me.  If I'm patient, the fight takes forever.

I always have 5 or 6 athl though, so back pedals don't work against me.  Maulers can be dodged easy enough if you are quick.  I use tough shields so even shield-breakers don't bother me too much.  I can usually kill them b4 I break.  Archers are easy meals.  Cav is the pain in the ass for me...and other shielders.

[Phew]

Man, other shielders are my hardest opponents.  Easiest is 2hand and pole for me.
I have to carry an axe sidearm for when I come up against a shielder.  If I'm impatient, they kill me.  If I'm patient, the fight takes forever.

Even without an axe, most novice shielders fall for held attacks like crazy. Heck, I fall for them all the time still.

I usually bring an axe sidearm anyway. Light 1h Axe is cheap, fast, and many novice shielders are too slow to get an attack in if you just facehug and spam away, mix in a hold every now and then.

[Penitent]

I agree about the light 1h axe.  That's what I use.  It's only 1 weight!   best sidearm ever.

[Leshma]

I'm not playing this for long but there are three ways dealing with enemy shielders:

1) If they are passive - spam left swing and don't stop. Make sure you're in their face and go from left to right and if they try to hit you back you'll hiltslash them (works for me)

2) If they are aggressive - you can try to outspam them but maybe it's better to mix passive and aggressive style, passive with holds of course, turtling is no no

3) If they are aggressive - put shield on back and abuse advatange in weapon and blocking speed you've got, very risky if you're not good manual blocker, you can spam but holds work better in this situation

Works fine so far against most shielders. But most shielders aren't experienced players so it's not really surprising.

[Konrax]

Honestly I've never run into this problem. Probably because I have 7 athletics. Now since I don't wear armor any more, I can backpeddle while blocking and move faster than a 2h running forward. It's pretty funny.

Do you use a pick? Are you above level 30? Or your build has 7 athletics but gimps most other things?

It's not really a comparison since most shield users are either balanced or strength oriented, with armour.

Agi build (15-21) for a shield user is only viable with a pick. (Maybe the regular espada too)