Shields

[Adamar]

Also, I'd like you to formulate precisely what do you mean by "a notion of timing".

Raising a shield is way faster than pulling a bow and aiming. You also need to time your attack properly, so as to not get shot in the face or missing the hit and letting the archer escape. And knowing when to chase an archer and when not is also important.

I dont like kiting either though, but you people keep aproaching this issue the wrong way. As I understand, kiting became a problem when the devs forced pure builds with the slot system and stuff, so I think that making melee archers good again would be the best alternative.

[HarryCrumb]

You're 21/15 and have 0 IF as a shielder? What is your build?!

[Tovi]

As a thrower (4 ath), I can kill archers, cav, 2h, poles etc.

So ?

[Dooz]

He truly is, BEASTMASTER.

[Protemus]

Faith is my shield !

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/581224cosplay32.jpg

me in real life

[owens]

It is a roman build I made for fun. Turned out it is really good if a bit fragile.

21/15

7 PS
7 PT
0 IF
5 ATH
5 WM
5 Shield Skill

120 throwing
99 1H


I don't see archers as a threat and they are only a threat if you lose big numbers in melee. As your opponents melee is out numbered if you lose you deserved it. Even on my 24/13 level 27 polearm main (which I hate), Archers are not ever foremost in my thoughts.

[Tovi]

The trick, when you are a thrower, is to approach without showing that you have a throwing weapon (sheathed or anything). So, the archer think he has time to shoot at you and no flee.When you are close enough and/or when he turn his back, you shoot him.
Like I say, archers are not a problem.
HA or cav lancer often die when they charge at me (ok,  I die in 10% of cases), or at least their horse.

The problem is not cavalry or archers, the problem is 50% of player are 2h/pole, slow, without protection or any teamplay.
I often see a 2h's running faster than me as I'm trying to protect them with my shield.

[Angantyr]

Make shield utilization as interesting/challenging mechanics-wise as manual blocking and I might be tempted to go shielder like I was forced to back in Native.

[ThePoopy]

[Thedric]

I just had an archer-chasing experience as a shielder on EU1. Basically I was chasing an archer and was catching up, then when i got close he jumed, turned around and fired an arrow at me, forcing me to raise my shield, thus slowing me down. Now here comes the fun part: before I could drop shield and commence attack he turned around and ran out of my range (I had a nordic warsword, so decent range) and I was swinging at air.

This went on for ~20 seconds, it got to a point where he ran out of arrows and had to pick up the ones on the ground. He did it all while I was chasing him. In the end one of his jump-turn-fire attacks hit me in the face and i died. 

He then went on to do the same thing to a couple other ppl before getting cornered by superior numbers.

So nowadays when going shielder you need to chose if you want to be able to catch archers OR be able to hold your own in an inf fight. There is apparently no middle ground.

[Sandersson Jankins]

I'm not familiar with archer builds; never even considered playing one and likely never will. Would a 12/27 build with 9 shield skill and 9 ath be able to catch most archers, or would I need to go something like 9/30? I would either take a fast blunt weapon like a flanged mace, or a scottish sword. Maybe even long dagger if I feel like being crazy.

[rustyspoon]

I'm not familiar with archer builds; never even considered playing one and likely never will. Would a 12/27 build with 9 shield skill and 9 ath be able to catch most archers, or would I need to go something like 9/30? I would either take a fast blunt weapon like a flanged mace, or a scottish sword. Maybe even long dagger if I feel like being crazy.

With 7 athletics and a gambeson, it's a rare archer I can't catch. 9 would be no problem.

[Adamar]

Oops didn't mean to vote