One Handed Shielder Archer Build

[Jarold]

Anybody know if this build would be any good? I tested it on a STF it was pretty fun and I was almost topping the scoreboards but I just used the equipment lying around in the armory so I didn't get a good feel for what I would actually be using.

Strength:        18
Agility:         18

Skill to attr:    2

Power Strike:      6
Power Draw:       6
Athletics:            6
Shield:                5
Weapon Master:   6

One Handed:       58 (50) -- effective wpf with armor.
Archery:          142 (50) -- effective wpf with armor and PD.

Long Bow
Italian Sword
Round Steel Buckler
Arrows

Sallet with Visor
Heavy Aketon
Mail Mittens
Green Hose with Kneecops


I like using the cheap arrows because I only have to carry one pack of them around because of how much ammo it has which helps me use my long bow and sword.


My real concern is will I experience a lot of glancing in melee and will I be accurate and still shoot fast. I only used a horn bow so far but I want to use a long bow.

[Lennu]

IMO you shouldn't take shield at all.

[WITCHCRAFT]

I did an 18/18 archer/1H/shield a while ago, before they added weight to ranged equipment. Had a +3 yumi left over from the gen before as horse archer. With 1 stack of arrows I could grab a 2 slot shield w/ dagger (the only 0 slot weps then were the really cheap ones) or a 1 slot wep and 1 slot shield. I enjoyed it with the lightest mail armors.

If you're going with a buckler, consider getting the full 6 shield skill. It's tiny, but high level shield skill will give it a force field that feels as wide as an elite cav shield.

If you aren't dead set on using longbow, the horn bow/yumi/bow are good picks too. The faster draw speed will offset your heavy armor and split wpf somewhat.

[Ronin]

First of all, +1 for originality

In my opinion, you should will need more wpf than that. Make a 15/21 build instead, and spend at least 150 to archery.

Sallet with Visor seems like a no-no. Mail mittens are also too much. Use lighter hand&head gear. That's the rule number one. Head gear might be 1.0-2.0 weight, you don't leave to leave your head naked as 1h cav mostly hits you in the head. You need to survive those hits if someone takes you by suprise.

On the other hand, buckler seems like a good idea because it doesn't slow you that much. with 5 shield skill, it is not the most durable shield in the game but should do the trick.

[Moncho]

I have played with that build (or similar ones) a few gens, and found it very interesting and fun.
I used a horn bow, some arrows, italian sword or military hammer and heavy round or knightly heater shield.
The problem with it is that bows, arrows and shields are amongst the heaviest items in cRPG, which make you very slow, even with 6 athl and medium armour (byrnie, mail shirt, mail hauberk and similars, leather gloves, straw hat and leather boots).
Bear in mind that hand and head armour decrease your wpf by a lot more than others.
Also with only 5 shield skill, the buckler breaks very easily, and you need to avoid shieldbreakers at all costs (a couple of hits from these and its down). A bigger shield may work better.

[Jeraz]

Your wpf in archery is way to low for a longbow, you are better off getting a 1 slot bow like horn,tartar or nomad (i think yumi needs more then 140 wpf to be usefull). This also opens the posibility to get a 1slot shield like elite cav shield. altrough like many people said, you will be very slow cause of all the weight.

About the arrows, you really need bodkins or tartar, Dont get other arrows, your damage will be so low that its pretty much a waste to go archery instead of full shielder.

Edit:
What about:

15/21

5 PS
5 Shield
5 PD
7 WM
7 ATH

82    1h
151  Archery


Get hornbow instead of longbow
Bodkins/tartar
1 slot Sword
Elite cav shield

or if you really want a longbow


15/21

5 PS
5 Shield
6 PD
7 WM
6 ATH

82    1h
151  Archery

Longbow.
Bodkins/tartar
1 slot sword
Buckler


The armor you want but with a different (much lighter) helmet.

[Ronin]

You can't use long bow with 5 pd.

[Jarold]

I will try some of these builds out on a STF. But do you guys think if I do use a buckler I should shell out the extra gold and repair cost for the top tier buckler instead of the round one?

[Jeraz]

You can't use long bow with 5 pd.

Whoops, your right, i changed the 5 shield to 6 instead of 5 pd to 6

[WITCHCRAFT]

I will try some of these builds out on a STF. But do you guys think if I do use a buckler I should shell out the extra gold and repair cost for the top tier buckler instead of the round one?

Depends on how often you plan to engage in melee combat. See how you feel after a few days with the buckler. Pick up the steel buckler if you are comfortable with your upkeep and the round buckler doesn't' take enough hits.

[Rico]

Not intenting to disappoint you, but this looks unplayble to me. One must be a very special person to enjoy playing with this build I think.

The arrow weight slows you down a lot, the shield on the back increases this effect, even if it is a buckler. With only 6 Athl, you will move like a turtle, but as you carry a bow in your hands, you will end up as a porcupine. With 0 IF, I don't expect you to survive more than 3 arrows from an average enemy archer.

If you want to be competitive as an archer-shielder-hybrid, reach level 36. On level 36, builds for hybrid archers look at least like they are as strong as other level 30 builds in both areas.

(click to show/hide)

LEVEL 36

18/24
2 Skills to Attributes

1 IF
6 PS
6 PD
8 Athl
8 WM

50-75 1hand wpf
rest in archery

[Jarold]

Yeah that may be true, it's a heck of a lot of fun but after awhile the archery kind of gets stale. I think i'm actually going to commit to a melee build instead. I was thinking 21/18 with 7 ps, 6 shield, 6 ath, 2 if, and 2 wm. I'll have around 85 effective wpf in one hand which is enough for me! Still going to use buckler and Italian sword though!

[Tovi]

Don't be stupid, it can be fun to play. You don't need to run because you can fight decently, and you don't need IF cuz you have a shield. At level 31 you can ride a rouncey.
I would play 15/21 with some cav shield , elite scimitar + horn bow, medium/light armor.
You can be a hell for 2 handers.