shield or (dual)wield?

[HereticNovalis]

<DIV>hi everyone.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>first of all i have to say, i am playing EQ2 since beginning of august. i chose the Guardian cos i 1st like fighters and 2nd am kinda masochist ;D i like watching the red numbers coming in, knowing that i could prevent my fellowship from dying.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>now i reached lvl 32, and LU13 reduced my in-game adventures to pure grinding, as questing is obsolete now (when you're high enough to complete quests solo, the reward is close to zero).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>my question is: </DIV> <DIV>should i trade my shield for dual wielding-weapons?</DIV> <DIV>whar are the advantages? what the disadvantages?</DIV> <DIV>do i really notice the absence of a shield when soloing?</DIV> <DIV>does DW compensate?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>here a link to my char with fully clickable inventory, might help: <A href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer.vm?characterId=364006210" target=_blank>http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer.vm?characterId=364006210</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>i always thought, a guard w/o a shield isn't a real guard ... but mayB i was wrong ... at least now after LU13 ^^</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>thanks in advance for your help and effort</DIV><p>Message Edited by HereticNovalis on <span class=date_text>09-21-2005</span> <span class=time_text>02:09 AM</span>

[TunaBoo]

I use a shield, the damage difference is very small. P.S. 2h > DW <div></div>

[Drulak]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> TunaBoo wrote:<BR>I use a shield, the damage difference is very small.<BR><BR>P.S. 2h > DW<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>totally depends on what weapons you have. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  as i have 2 heritage DW my attack is far greater with them than with 2h.  But i am sure if i had the Prismatic 2H , it would be different <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Skarsis]

For fighting mobs that use physical damage, you DEFINATELY want a shield. Try this little experiment. Put on your dual wieldies, and look at your avoidance.... now put on your shield and look at it again... has it greatly increased? If not, get a better shield <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

[Kynlo]

<DIV>  I have absolutely no problem soloing yellow con mobs while duel-wielding and using offensive stance.  They take me down maybe 1/3 of my HP.</DIV>

[RafaelSmith]

Thus far since LU13 im always using 2h and Offense stance when soloing...doesnt matter the con.  In groups if the mobs con white or less im still 2h/offense...when they hit yellow+ I start switching stances, and use 1h/shield. My DW weapons suck big time so I really havent had a chance to DW since LU13..but for me 2h has always been better. Besides I like big numbers =P <div></div>

[Pik'ee]

I way prefer DW if solo (which is thankfully rare) becuase that way noone can mistake you for a Paladin. Skaffen <div></div>

[RafaelSmith]

l<span><blockquote><hr>Pik'ee wrote:I way prefer DW if solo (which is thankfully rare) becuase that way noone can mistake you for a Paladin. Skaffen <div></div><hr></blockquote> LOL That definately has merit.</span><div></div>