Choices for a level 33 shielder.

[TheAppleSauceMan]

you should listen to eyebeat, 24/15 is the way to go - the armor really does make you ALOT faster if you don't wear any. You will be able to catch most archers with really light armor. You just have to be quick on the rightmousebutton.

Well I use Heraldic Mail with Tabard, and don't really have any speed problems except on super agi builds, which is why I think 21/18 would be even better, then I can catch most everyone and be an archer hunter, not to mention the added bonus of being able to use an xbow!

[WITCHCRAFT]

24/15 is a good heavy infantry build. Get into the fray, defend teamates, and make that one decisive blow when there is an opening. But it can get boring.

Personally I'm going for 18/24 infantry at level 32. I won't have any ironflesh or WM til higher levels, but with only 1h wpf I don't need to level it that badly, and  8 shield skill more than makes up for some missing hit points.

[Tindel]

21str is enough for most infantry builds. You must remember that your biggest damage variation will come from held attacks and speed bonus from movement.

So 18agi is minimum, 21 preferable. This will give you good footwork and a chance to move into your swings thus hitting much harder. Its also the most valuable survival stat, since running from a gank will save your life.

I echo gurnison in that 21/18 is the best for lvl30, and rhaegar about 21/21 for higher level.

Im 21/21 right now in a 1h/noshield spec, really fast and agile yet the swings connect and the stab is nasty(side sword atm)

[Ronin]

Truth be told, both agility and strength are equally important stats for a shielder. The shielder requires agi because low shield skill does a minor difference and athletics is needed to compensate the speed loss from shields. The shielder also requires strength to hit hard when there is an opening. Shielder is all about mastering the art of switching between the defensive and offensive stances. As a shielder spots an opening in the enemy, he/she has only one hit chance; so strength is required to hit hard to make that hit count and agility is required to create more of these openings. Thus, 21/18 I think is the best choice.

There are other factors/tactics too of course, but this is the specialty of a shielder. So it has to master the opening tactic mostly to fulfill it's role best.

The build can be dependant on the weapon you're using of course. For example the thrust oriented swords or blunt/pierce weapons require a differently optimized builds I think. Though I think long and cutting swords are overall better for a shielder. That is my preference of course.

[Penitent]

consider 18/18 for a well balanced and versatile build.

Can take full IF or WM that way for more survivability or good secondary (polearm/xbow) wpf.

[Tovi]

If you focus on Agi/speed : take a short and powerfull weapon (axe, hammer etc.)
If you focus on PS : take a long and fast sword (elite scimitar, Italian sword etc.)

[Everkistus]

I'm not sure why people love 21/18 so much. My choice would be 18/21; the extra athletics helps you a lot more compared to extra PS in my opinion.

[Erzengel]

I'm not sure why people love 21/18 so much. My choice would be 18/21; the extra athletics helps you a lot more compared to extra PS in my opinion.

You also get more hitpoints. I really like both builds.

[Joseph Porta]

24/18
4if
8ps
6ath
5shi
3wm

Winwinwinwinwin

[Gurnisson]

I'm not sure why people love 21/18 so much. My choice would be 18/21; the extra athletics helps you a lot more compared to extra PS in my opinion.

Because it's not possible? He asked what way to go at high level, being 21/15 already, which implies either 24/15 and 21/18, not 18/21.

[Rhaegar]

21str is enough for most infantry builds. You must remember that your biggest damage variation will come from held attacks and speed bonus from movement.

So 18agi is minimum, 21 preferable. This will give you good footwork and a chance to move into your swings thus hitting much harder. Its also the most valuable survival stat, since running from a gank will save your life.

I echo gurnison in that 21/18 is the best for lvl30, and rhaegar about 21/21 for higher level.

Im 21/21 right now in a 1h/noshield spec, really fast and agile yet the swings connect and the stab is nasty(side sword atm)

I chose 21/21 at level 33 improving other skills to level 34