Shielder (offensive)

[Elmetiacos]

There's a nasty little trick archers have now. Aim in about 90 degree angle sideways from the incomming shielder. Then, just before he clips in you, you quicly turn to the shielder and release the arrow. When you time it right, you bypass the shield and hit the shielder, even when he has his shield up.

I wondered why archers kept doing that! It didn't seem to make sense. Turning sideways is the new jumping in the air and turning round... they even seem to do it if your character doesn't have a shield, out of habit.

[Jeff2307]

I love the guide but I have 2 questions...

1. Does athletics make you swing faster?
2. I love heavy armor any tips for me then?

[rustyspoon]

I love the guide but I have 2 questions...

1. Does athletics make you swing faster?
2. I love heavy armor any tips for me then?

1. Athletics doesn't technically make you swing faster. You swing speed is somewhat affected by WPF. However, having higher athletics allows you better footwork to where you can position yourself to hit earlier in an attack.

2. Heavy armor is often a liability especially as a shielder. Your shield already slows you down a lot. You're much better off being lighter on your feet and using your shield.

[Bobthehero]

OR, not using a shield

[rustyspoon]

OR, not using a shield

Best way to play 1-hander imo.

[zagibu]

You can don heavy armor and fight multiple enemies, always strike at the one who least expects it. Just don't duel in heavy armor + shield, because they will simply evade all your swings until your shield breaks, then kill you.

[rustyspoon]

You can don heavy armor and fight multiple enemies, always strike at the one who least expects it. Just don't duel in heavy armor + shield, because they will simply evade all your swings until your shield breaks, then kill you.

That would only work against terrible players. As a 1-hander it's going to take you longer to kill people than say a 2-hander or polearm user. Use also move slower because of your shield. Wearing heavy armor you move even slower. Because of this, it's easy to find yourself outnumbered. Then, someone can easily circle behind you and you get stunned to death.

[BaleOhay]

not to sure that is fully true Spoon.

Watch me in battle when i am fighting 2 or more. Generally I push on the one I think will start to backpedal. I get them going away from me with the shield up. Then spin and attack the person coming up behind. I would say agianst most players I land a solid hit. I get a good percetage of my kills doing screwy stuff like that. Def timing involved but easier then you would think, and I manage it with Iberian mace so it can be done with a slower short weapon.

[rustyspoon]

not to sure that is fully true Spoon.

Watch me in battle when i am fighting 2 or more. Generally I push on the one I think will start to backpedal. I get them going away from me with the shield up. Then spin and attack the person coming up behind. I would say agianst most players I land a solid hit. I get a good percetage of my kills doing screwy stuff like that. Def timing involved but easier then you would think, and I manage it with Iberian mace so it can be done with a slower short weapon.

I do it all the time myself, but neither of us wear heavy armor. The comment was more about wearing heavy armor as a shielder.

I think wearing heavy armor as a shielder is a good way to get wrecked by half-decent players.

[San]

I think having medium to even medium-light body armor, while having good gloves, helm, and shoes help maximize the armor-weight ratio.

The only drawback is the heavier penalty to your effective wpf due to the weight-wpf-reduction multipliers on armors other than shoes and body.


As long as proper footwork prevents you from being 1-2 shot in whatever gear you have, you're doing alright imo.

[BaleOhay]

I was in lordly heavy Kuyak there for a while. Sort of on the heavy side.

Traded it away for a lordly heraldic mail to shed a few lbs.

[San]

Downgraded my armor from Sarranid Guard Armor (46 armor, 14.5 weight) to Byrnie(36 armor, 8.6 weight) with heavy armor, gloves, and decent shoes and couldn't tell much of a difference from before. I could still tank quite a few hits since I would rarely get 1shot due to the heavy helmet.

Still pretty slow when I have the shield on, though, even though I have like 7 less weight.

Probably reinforces my earlier belief  that medium range is the way to go. I prefer the heavier side of the spectrum in the end, though.

[Spawny]

Downgraded my armor from Sarranid Guard Armor (46 armor, 14.5 weight) to Byrnie(36 armor, 8.6 weight) with heavy armor, gloves, and decent shoes and couldn't tell much of a difference from before. I could still tank quite a few hits since I would rarely get 1shot due to the heavy helmet.

Still pretty slow when I have the shield on, though, even though I have like 7 less weight.

Probably reinforces my earlier belief  that medium range is the way to go. I prefer the heavier side of the spectrum in the end, though.

I played around with a +3 byrnie and +3 plate mittens to reduce my weight while still keeping nice defence. Worked out nicely, but it was a bit expensive. Now I'm using +3 heraldic mail and +3 mail gauntlets and I still have nice defense, but the cost is lower. Speedwise, I hardly notice a difference.
I would only recommend using heavy gear in sieges, as there it really helps being able to tank a ton of hits.
Heavy board shield, milanese plate, plate mittens, cased greaves and a sugerloaf helmet. Combine that with a steel pick or something else fast/hard hitting and you can wade through waves of enemies. Watch em glance and tk while you keep delivering devestating head hits with your pick. Or just hold RMB and keep them entertained for the next minute as they try to break the shield.

[BaleOhay]

here is another tip for those who would like to be an off shielder. bring everything!

Why settle for one weapon type. Why settle for a single weapon when you can have one for each occasion!

Currently I carry my shield
MW simple sword (yeah I know haha but have you ever seen another person with it?)
Used for when i need speed over power or if the shield breaks and I go into duel mode

one handed battle axe
shield buster and decent cut damage

powerful iberian mace (can be switched for a pierce as well)
general all purpose weapon. Has good knock down and can hurt the tanks

Know the situation you are rushing into and make sure to either back pedal to get the room to switch weapons or do it early on the way in. Having the ability to adapt to what the situation brings is essential

ohay

[EyeBeat]

Everyone keeps asking my build so I am going to post it here since I am level 30.

Strength    21    
Agility    15    

Weapon proficiency

One Handed    146    

Skills
Available points: 0
Iron Flesh    7    
Power Strike    7    
Shield    5    
Athletics    5    
Riding    0    
Horse Archery    0    
Power Draw    0    
Power Throw    0    
Weapon Master    5    

DEFAULT GEAR LAYOUT:

Reinforced Red Gambeson
weight: 3.1
body armor: 25
leg armor: 9

Masterpiece Huscarl's Round Shield
weight: 9
body armor: 24
difficulty: 5
hit points: 453
speed rating: 83
shield width: 42
Can't use on horseback

Masterwork Elite Scimitar
weapon length: 100
weight: 1.2
difficulty: 11
speed rating: 100
weapon length: 100
thrust damage: 0 pierce
swing damage: 34 cut
slots: 1

Mighty Broad One Handed Battle Axe
weapon length: 73
weight: 1.7
difficulty: 12
speed rating: 99
weapon length: 73
thrust damage: 0 pierce
swing damage: 38 cut
slots: 1
Bonus against Shield
Secondary Mode

Mail Gauntlets
weight: 0.5
body armor: 4
difficulty: 7

Wrapping Boots
weight: 0
leg armor: 3

Head Wrapping
weight: 0
head armor: 3

Strategy:

I personally always run out by myself and prefer to not be by my teammates.  Constantly use the terrain and buildings to get the upper hand on the enemy.  Always try to get behind the enemy lines and set up 1v1's or 1v2's.  Practice hitting horses running full speed at you using your right swing and over head with the elite scimitar.  Learn to use hills and terrain to out maneuver your enemies and their cavalry.  Use the alternate mode on your broad axe to open black plate or milanese plate.  Stay away from horse bumps because they will destroy you.  Also try to have patience in fights because you have a MW huscarl which is made to take a beating.  Having patience is my hardest flaw to get over.

Results:

http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/487750912226995561/15975C770FAFE7D15313798992B83D4A88F49862/