Shield skill

[LordRichrich]

I'm looking to take a hoplite build next gen but I'm wondering how much shield skill to take?
Would 5 leave me too vunerable?

[TurmoilTom]

Personally I'd at least go for 4 Shield. Heavy Round Shield FTW.

[Digglez]

5 or 6, elite cav. Good coverage, very fast which lets you actually fight 1v1's.  Most people expect to be able to spam hoplites....they'll get stabbed back when you have a faster shield.
4 with heavy round is too slow, too weak.

[Jarlek]

After trying shield again, I've decided to never go benath 6 shieldskill again if I actively use a shield. Otherwise they are just so..... weak.

3 or 4 is perfect if you just use a shield to close in on ranged or stand in a shield wall though (with a 2h or non-shield polearm as your weapon).

[Macropus]

5 shield skill is perfectly fine for hoplite, as you're not supposed to use it too much. You need shield only to protect yourself (or someone) from ranged and to move safely to your teammates if you're attacked by someone in melee (which woulnt' happen too often).
And even if it breaks, you get your damage increase and can be almost as effective as any other polearmer. Or find another shield on the ground, you can use any except of steel one.
And when you meet an enemy in battle and have to fight 1 vs 1 without your teammates, you better put your shield on your back at all.