1h shielder build

[San]

Strength 1h is definitely great in duels, too. For the OP, I would put the points into shield or an offensive stat, unless you're planning for a later build with more bulk, then IF is fine.


Balanced is overall best, and it's only up to preference after 18 strength for which works with your playstyle. I have 25/15 with 56 body armor, and I take a good 3 solid 2h hits to kill. With good footwork and non-high damage 2hs, you're looking at 4-5 hits. Shield + IF combination is great, but low IF isn't too noticeable.

I used to be 27/12 a year ago, then respecced to 24/15 right when respec was released, and performed noticeably better. I reckon it will be the same if I went to 21/21 or some other similar pure melee build.

[Turboflex]

I've done a few gens with a build like yours; 65+ armor, 70+ hp, high PS. Great in a clusterf#ck, but I didn't like getting backpedaled to death by every agility player, kited by every archer, mauled repeatedly, etc. I only play siege, which is so low population lately that it's basically a series of duels, so the agility build seems to be most effective. Heavy 1h/shield works for plenty of people, but didn't work for me.

That's why I carry throwing weps , if some s-key guy is pissing me off I can turn around get some distance, take them out and pop a shot or two at him, that brings them back real fast. I feel naked without throwing, adds so many tactical options for a heavy shielder that if used properly you don't miss athletics.

I did better as 24-12 than 21-15 even, but when I got to 33 I added 3 agi instead of 3 more str even tho I was tempted.

[oprah_winfrey]

That's why I carry throwing weps , if some s-key guy is pissing me off I can turn around get some distance, take them out and pop a shot or two at him, that brings them back real fast. I feel naked without throwing, adds so many tactical options for a heavy shielder that if used properly you don't miss athletics.

I did better as 24-12 than 21-15 even, but when I got to 33 I added 3 agi instead of 3 more str even tho I was tempted.

I have seen you (or another nh guy, sorry you all look alike ) try this move against me many times. I don't think its as effective as you guys give it credit for. If I am skeying a shielder, I don just jam the s down but I keep to the distance of the 2h/pole. Thus if you try and switch to a throwing axe, I am able to get a free hit in while your shield is not active. Then again I usually have atleast 6 athletics (usually 7) which is probably more then most two handers, and as such can't get back in range as quickly.

[Phew]

That's why I carry throwing weps , if some s-key guy is pissing me off I can turn around get some distance, take them out and pop a shot or two at him, that brings them back real fast. I feel naked without throwing, adds so many tactical options for a heavy shielder that if used properly you don't miss athletics.

Throwing is indeed awesome. A mere 4-5 skill points and like 100 wpf for the ability to kill horses, kiters, reloading xbowers, maulers, jedi blockers...not to mention the melee mode on +3 Heavy Throwing Axes is really damn good. Although I don't think throwing is much of an asset against your typical 8 athletics glaive/LHB backpedaler; they strive to keep you at about 1.3-1.5m range, which is too far for 1h melee and too close for throwing.

I guess the heavy vs. light shielder debate comes down to what you find more annoying; getting 1-2 shot, or getting kited/backpedaled. There is also the offensive damage output difference, which comes down to weapon choice more than build for me. Even an agility shielder is going to wreck people with a warhammer, and even a strength 1h will need 8+ swings to down a 2h hero with most 1h swords.

[Turboflex]

I have seen you (or another nh guy, sorry you all look alike ) try this move against me many times. I don't think its as effective as you guys give it credit for. If I am skeying a shielder, I don just jam the s down but I keep to the distance of the 2h/pole. Thus if you try and switch to a throwing axe, I am able to get a free hit in while your shield is not active. Then again I usually have atleast 6 athletics (usually 7) which is probably more then most two handers, and as such can't get back in range as quickly.

I prolly wouldn't use it against you or similar skilled players who are more proactive in using range/speed difference, you gotta duel those guys, and rely on holds and shield to force closer range (not always easy). Usually just  the most obnoxious, mindless s-key guys who do basically have it jammed are the beneficiaries. Also the throwers' ace card is that if it fails cuz the guy does react and jump back in quickly, you can try to avoid getting caught by hitting x and turning your throwing axe into a decent melee weapon, which aften surprises a lot of players who are running up to bump you and nets you a free hit (short wep thats hard to track visually).

[arowaine]

you want best shielder build as offence shielder go 21-18 best build ever now depend on what level you want to go too but level 30 or 31 people usualy go as a offensive shielder 21-15 or 18-18 both very good also on the weapon type you are using...my personal opinion as arowaine the 1hand shielder one of the best in the game as far as i know....

point spend like this  18-18 level 30
6iron flesh
6power strike
6shield or 5
6ath
5 or 6 weapon master depending on what you prefer
wpf all 1hand

ps: there is a lot of factor too considering what weapon you are using what kind of player you are and also what ping you have too... so well here is the best built i can suggest you so far with all the info...have fun

[Tears of Destiny]

21/18 was bliss for me as a STF test, and I modeled my post-30 main off of it with great success (Now 24/18). I do recommend that, or a tankish 21/15 if you play with teammates or use a long weapon.


IF highly depends on what you want to do as a shielder. High armor does suggest a high IF for the HP, but you can skimp both armor and IF with an AGI build just fine if you don't perform in the front-lines (Your Teammates will get you killed with inevitable TWs if you lack HP and Armor) and skirmish on the sidelines. 7ATHL and higher is quite lovely with either really long weapons or the super-stumpy ones as you can dictate how you fight.

[Ronin]

I find Ironflesh to be an essential part of infantry. Maybe it just suits my gameplay, but one of the main jobs of the infantry is to survive. Ironflesh definitely makes a big difference, especially when you got shot by archers. And as an infantry, you will get shot by archers.

[rustyspoon]

You two guys run way too light.

I rarely get 2 shotted let alone 1, and I don't see other heavy shielders like San getting 2-shotted either.

One point you're missing though...someone actually has to hit me two times first. I don't get hit often.

Also, PS scales very, very poorly with 1-handers. My 27 str build doesn't really kill people any faster than my 18 str build. Lower str, higher athletics makes it easier to utilize held attacks, speed bonus and the shorter blunt/pierce weapons.

[Turboflex]

Well you don't play battle & strat very much. A LOT easier to stay alive on siege where there's just one direction enemies are coming from, basically all infantry, and limited ability to outflank due to terrain obstacles. In battle/strat lines actually form, you got a lot more archers and cav coming at you from all directions, and you depend on your teammates to guard your flanks, not inanimate objects, which means people get side attacks on you when your mates inevitably drift out of position, die, or just let guys walk by them, hell and that's if they are not just outright TWing you.

[Malaclypse]

I'm fairly tempted to get two PT and Masterwork War Darts @ 35. It'd be hilariously ineffective against anyone but the lightest armored folk, but at least it would be hilarious.

As a general rule for having a shield and being mainly 1-h, without advocating any stat heavy build set, I'd say have at least 18 STR 6 PS and 18 Agi 6 Ath. From there you can go 18/18, 21/18, 18/21 and at later levels 24/18, 18/24, 21/21.

[Phew]

I'm fairly tempted to get two PT and Masterwork War Darts @ 35. It'd be hilariously ineffective against anyone but the lightest armored folk, but at least it would be hilarious

I think that's what Jaich did; he's always throwing darts that mostly glance/do like 2 dmg, but they still stun and I'm sure he gets a few free kills every now and then just from folks that are too busy laughing to pay attention. Although personally, I think if you can't invest more than 2PT, you are better off with a crossbow. Do you already have some Riding Mala? I think 3+ riding would be way more fun than 2 PT.

[Malaclypse]

I think that's what Jaich did; he's always throwing darts that mostly glance/do like 2 dmg, but they still stun and I'm sure he gets a few free kills every now and then just from folks that are too busy laughing to pay attention. Although personally, I think if you can't invest more than 2PT, you are better off with a crossbow. Do you already have some Riding Mala? I think 3+ riding would be way more fun than 2 PT.

I don't, so my options are p much:


A.) 3 Riding
B.) 3 Ironflesh (currently @ 3)
C.) 2 WM + 1 IF or Shield (would probably add 2h into build @ 93 prof with this option).
D.) 2 PT 1 WM

Riding would definitely add a fun bit of versatility, even if 3 doesn't leave me with a lot of options, though I think it's a moot point, because I'm pretty tempted to just sell all my heirlooms at 35 and buy Training Lessons, go 27/21 or 24/24 hoplite/polearm (max ath/ps, 4 shield with +3 elite cav) for speed + power.

I'd have the same health @ 24 STR no IF as I do with 18 STR 3 IF, and 3 more health than I do now if I go the 9 PS route, being the same speed as I am now or just a bit slower but hitting a lot harder (for the trade off of no longer being a hybrid prof build and having access to all shields).

[Osiris]

When im shielder its either 18-18 or 21-15 7ps 7if 5shield 5ath 5wpm. Its a pretty nice build with heavy loomed armour and a decent weapon. You take a ton of hits before going down.

[Osiris]

looking at all the 21-18 and 18-21 builds seem to sacrifice a lot for some extra speed.

Im curious tho, at what armour weight do you think IF is more beneficial than athletics? I know high str reduces penalties or some such but never sure where the line is