Is Heirlooming really critical?

[Dravic]

Causality is a funny thing.

Do you do better on him because you have heirlooms?
Or because in order to get heirlooms you have to play through several generations thus becoming better at playing said class?

Good point.

[Tears of Destiny]

4 looms (gloves and chest) gives me +8 armor

Also, good luck at buying heirlooms for under 350k. (heirloomed once)

Triple heirloomed Chain Mittens are amazing <333

[Duke]

I think heirloom usefulness depends more on what you're heirlooming:

Things like a horse... a little extra speed or turn might mean the difference between life and death. 
Or if you have a certain weight of armor you don't want to go beyond (namely for ranged players) then heirlooming that armor is your only way to increase your defense without impairing your wpf.

Or for someone like me who prefers crossbows, there is no skill like Powerstrike and Powerdraw to boost crossbow damage, so heirlooming is the only way to go if you want to do more.

[Seawied]

Causality is a funny thing.

Do you do better on him because you have heirlooms?
Or because in order to get heirlooms you have to play through several generations thus becoming better at playing said class?

eh, I was one of the original M&B Warband beta testers. I've played it all. Honestly, I'm not any better at polearm than I am at sword in shield.

[Polobow]

Triple heirloomed Chain Mittens are amazing <333

Triple heirloomed Blue hose, felt hat/fur hat and leather gloves.

Best weightless armor. There are more hats though.

[Kafein]

Leveling to 35 will give you less power than retiring like 16 times, and will go slower. Furthermore, you can't go up after level 35. When you have 16 heirloom points, you aren't really close to having everything you use masterworked, and you can also start trading etc.

[Astinus]

Heirlooms have major impact for archers, other class can go easely without them. But when you face someone of your same skills, having or not an heirloomed weapon can be decisive

[RagnarLodbroke]

5 looms, MW Strongbow and sharp Bodkins

[Brutal]

Heirlooms have major impact for archers, other class can go easely without them. But when you face someone of your same skills, having or not an heirloomed weapon can be decisive

This, some class do get more benefit from heirloom,it's especially true for archers, having a mw bow is a really big upgrade (but IMO playing an archer if you're new to this game is the hardest way to go). I think (but have not tested it) it's also make a big difference for cav and xbow.

it does give you an hedge in melee but someone that is really skilled will do (almost) just as good without it.