Two handed or Sword and Board

[Zhern]

<DIV>I am going to be a Paladin without a doubt. But what about using either a two handed weapon or a sword and shield?</DIV> <DIV>Can I do both like EQ1? Or do I need to stick to one (like Daoc)?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh, and how are the shields being done here? Can you stun mobs with them?</DIV>

[Jezekie]

Shields make you block more depending on their shield factor. So it's essentially down to what role you're acting as in groups in my opinion. If you want to go more defensive and you're taking the hits, 1h + shield seems to be the way to go. But if you're purely there for added DPS, maybe occasional offtanking, I'd go with the 2h. Ofcourse this all depends on your weapons you have avaliable. You might find a 1h better then your current 2h.

[Sedden]

<DIV>Also some of the paladins abilities are based on you using your shield. Using a shield opens up your shield bash aka stuns and 2HS allows you use a ability that is a medium or heavy damage attack. I will probably use the shield since the more i stun the mobs the less they can hit me or a groupmate</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Stormreaver]

<DIV>Hope they fixed shields. In beta they did virtually nothing.</DIV>

[Ajantiss]

<DIV>When I had a shield equipped (you need to have a decent shield, preferably atleast a decent kite shield) I noticed that I was blocking attacks way more than with my 2 hander equipped. Only problem seems to be aggro earlier on with the ability Unyielding Advance. Even with the use of that plus my other abilities, I was still holding aggro better with my 2 hander. It might be due to my 1 hander being a moderate piece of garbage, only time and testing will tell though.</DIV>

[cronar]

<DIV>Best bet is to be effeciant with both 2h and 1h/sield.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There are abilities that require either/or, so its good to use what is most useful for the situation.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The shield slam type abilities are very useful on caster mobs, so use them there. </DIV>

[Ajantiss]

<DIV>Only problem with that earlier on (I would assume alot of the shield slam abilites are on the same timer) is the long recast time on the bash compared to how quickly the mob can just recast. ATM it doesn't seem too effective to use the shield for that purpose.</DIV>

[Fanfusu]

<DIV>What?? no tower sheild for paladin. oh come on......:smileymad:</DIV>

[Delpha]

<DIV>If shields are working, I say you want both.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Why? </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you are primary tank, you want the shield for the bashing aggro and extra defense (That's the 'if shields are working part').</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you are the secondary tank (not because paladins have to be secondary to anyone!, but because maybe you are lower level. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) - Then you want the 2 hander cause you will tend to have less aggro and so might as well do more damage and take advantage of the more offensive minded 2-handed only paladin skills/spells.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Ludicrouse]

<DIV>I personally very rarely used a sheild as a Paladin.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The 2h Sword you get for the Pally Hallmark is pretty **bleep** good, Plus you get a nice high damage 2h attack before you hit 20 :smileyhappy:</DIV>

[Ajantiss]

<DIV>When you first get level 20, Delacar's Sword of Honor is nice but don't dismiss the 1hs/shield combo b/c you haven't seem any good 1 handers or shields. I have seen one particular combo that I definaetly intend to get, one part of it is the result of a quest in Stormhold. :smileyhappy:</DIV><p>Message Edited by Ajantiss on <span class=date_text>11-12-2004</span> <span class=time_text>05:48 AM</span>

[Kriterian]

<DIV>I haven't hit paladin yet but I'm a 15 crusader. I have a shield/cudgel set and a two-hander that I swap back and forth between so much that I keep them in a dedicated bag. I like the shield-bash stun and usually use that combo when I'm the main tank. I sometimes switch to two-hander for the added damage during both soloing and when grouping as non-main tank. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I like the fact we can go either route we choose without gimping one or the other. The only downside is it's twice as expensive usually if you're buying weapons and shields vs ONLY buying 1hander with shield vs 2hander. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The shield definitely blocks more, in my past few group outtings I got hit so little I thought someone had slowed the mob via a shaman spell or something. Once I find me a nice kite shield, I'll probably stick to one handed and shield...until I get a super high damage 2 hander then it's back to "decisions, decisions". I feel like a woman picking out shoes to wear.</DIV>

[Edyil]

<DIV>Bump -</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'd like some more input from the higher level folks that are MT's.  Do shields work?  Do they relieve some of the pressure from the healer when you are fighting those 2up even cons?  I'm 23 and would like to help my everyday-group healer more.  Right now I am working is butt off.  So Im upping my armor and thinking of going shield.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Will the shield help him?</DIV>

[Jedd]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Zhern wrote:<BR> <DIV>I am going to be a Paladin without a doubt. But what about using either a two handed weapon or a sword and shield?</DIV> <DIV>Can I do both like EQ1? Or do I need to stick to one (like Daoc)?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh, and how are the shields being done here? Can you stun mobs with them?</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> I use both but I really don't notice a huge difference either way ( I hear it makes a big difference for some). With a shield I take less damage but it takes longer to kill. With 2h I finish mobs quicker. One funny thing is that my highest hit is still from 1h from 3 levels ago instead of my 2h weapons I have mostly used. Strange.

[Vai]

<DIV>I use shield+1h weapon everytime I tank.  Sure, per fight the difference may not be all that noticible (to me it is, but everyone has their view of what noticible means), but over time it sure does make for a better tank.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For example, Unyielding Advance (aggro building stun combat art) requires a shield; used in conjunction with Charge, I can end a caster mob's life once it gets to about 30% life and deciding to itself that it needs to start healing but can't because I stunned and then knocked it off of its feet.  Plus, shields add some invaluable AC for me, and if you're lucky enough to get an Ancient Shield, it's another 100+ AC for you, plus stats.  One would be crazy to say that that won't make 'any noticible difference'.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On the other hand, if I am not tanking in a group I whip out the 2h weapon and attempt to do damage while using Offering of Armament and Demonstration of Faith on the main tank.  But that's the only time I'd use a 2h weapon in a group; otherwise, I am soloing and using 2h weapon.</DIV>

[potatotr0ll]

<DIV>I currently have a 15 Troll Crusader and use 2 hander.  Why?  Cuz i like it, plain and simple.  Looks good, and fits my character.  Go with what yu like.  You can probably come up with some sort of strategy to make up for lack of shield stuns and such, like kill the mob faster :smileyhappy:  Or vice versa. Its a game, yu don't have to always go with most efficent, go with whats fun.</DIV>

[Grimme]

<DIV>Both.</DIV>

[Bludlette]

<DIV>I think the only choice here is Sword or Hammer slashing / crushing.  To me it was simple.  I use One until it maxes out then use the other.  I Have a 2 Handed Sword, 2 Handed Hammer, a 1 Handed Sword, a 1 Handed Hammer and a Shield.  As long as you keep your Crushing and Slashing up it doesn't matter.  Slashing takes into account all slashing weapons and crusing the same 1 handed or 2.</DIV>

[JarredDarque]

<DIV>Solo I normally use a two hander stell maul form SH  I also have a nice two hander greatsword with higher dmage and stats once I hit lvl 25.   For group where we are taking challenging mobs, I am ussually MT and prefer it if we have a good healer behind me, I use a shield and the crappy iron one hander I have.....hopefully that will cahnge today afte I finish barik sword of thunder quest.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best one handed combo lvl 22 pally---Ancient Kite Shield,  named drop in SH I believe.  200 AC, and barik sword of thunder,  almost exact same DPS as delcars sword, except it has an undead proc, more stats, and is one hander </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Two handed set up --  steel maul   drop from marksman in archer room in SH     25-66 dam  2.4 seconds, with some decent stat bonuses....and the hammer part is as big as a mans head.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Edyil]

<DIV>I still havnt seen an answer to my quest.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Does a (good) shield save the healer some power?  Is this confirmed?</DIV>

[Vai]

<DIV>If you 1) don't believe what you've heard and/or 2) want better answers beyond what everyone has already said, you should probably do some log parsing and test it out yourself, or ask a priest player about it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Plus think about it.  In addition to being able to parry, dodge, migitate damage, riposte ... with a shield you can block as well.  In addition to more damage migitation, blocking takes damage away that you'd otherwise have to suffer without a shield, I think the answer is pretty clear.</DIV> <P>Message Edited by Vaiyo on <SPAN class=date_text>12-08-2004</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>05:11 PM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by Vaiyo on <span class=date_text>12-08-2004</span> <span class=time_text>05:12 PM</span>

[Reev]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Edyil wrote:<BR> <DIV>Bump -</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'd like some more input from the higher level folks that are MT's.  Do shields work?  Do they relieve some of the pressure from the healer when you are fighting those 2up even cons?  I'm 23 and would like to help my everyday-group healer more.  Right now I am working is butt off.  So Im upping my armor and thinking of going shield.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Will the shield help him?</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> Yes, the shield helps healing, dunno if you'd call me a higher lvl MT I'm lvl 25, and I;m usually MT.  I didn't have a good shield until recently, but even before that I only had the Strapped Leather defender that gave like 55 shield factor, and even that made a difference.  Now I have one I bought for a lot of money but has 225 or so shield factor and I take much less dmg.  Now if I could only find a really kick *ss 1h weapon.

[asteldian]

<DIV>Just curious, anyone know when shield block is calculated? I ask because in EQ1 it was calculated before everything, so attacks that would have missed, parried or riposted anyway get blocked instead so the shield block wasnt as effective as people thought-still useful of course, im just wondering if its not as big an impact as we think</DIV>

[Reev]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> asteldian wrote:<BR> <DIV>Just curious, anyone know when shield block is calculated? I ask because in EQ1 it was calculated before everything, so attacks that would have missed, parried or riposted anyway get blocked instead so the shield block wasnt as effective as people thought-still useful of course, im just wondering if its not as big an impact as we think</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> I've wondered myself if it does anything for block, I'm not a person that is **mods 4 teh win!!1!** enough ingame to go through trial tests, scroll through attack spam, and make calculations.  I'm thinking the biggest difference the shield makes is in overall AC and that's the reason healing requirements are lessened.

[Edyil]

<DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV> <DIV>Reevah Wrote:</DIV> <DIV>Yes, the shield helps healing, dunno if you'd call me a higher lvl MT I'm lvl 25, and I;m usually MT.  I didn't have a good shield until recently, but even before that I only had the Strapped Leather defender that gave like 55 shield factor, and even that made a difference.  Now I have one I bought for a lot of money but has 225 or so shield factor and I take much less dmg.  Now if I could only find a really kick *ss 1h weapon.</DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Great reply.  Thanks.  Folks here seem to equate "Well I use both" to mean that it actually makes a difference.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Last night I upped my armor and strapped on a shield.  It helped my shaman healer a good bit.  Their wards have some serious issues.  So we scrapped the wards and went with straight up heals while my AC mittigated damage.  We actually faired better using his crappy heals and my backup-heals vs using his special wards.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In my opinion after testing on blue 2ups to yellow 2ups, i would say that the shield did help.</DIV></DIV>

[JarredDarque]

<DIV>No idea,  but for comparison.  at lvl 22,  my ashowwod kite is 151 AC.    fighting tunneling zombies, lvl 19^   groups of two.      </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>without shield, I could use maybe 1 and half blessed aids,  I have taken a little over 100 points of damage,  maybe 200.   fight takes aobut 3 minutes now.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>with shield,  I can set this on auto attack and go have a smoke.   I take maybe 10-15 points of damage all told considering the fact that I naturally heal quicker htan taking damage.  Fight takes about 3 minutes now that I have barik, sword of thunder</DIV>

[Tod]

<DIV>I would have to say that it all depends on your weapons.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Both have their advantages.  1h + Shield = higher ac, shield arts and so on.  2h=higher dps.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Personally I got very luck on a run through Firemyst Gulley and received: Morningstar of Luck and Coral Tide Buckler.  the Two combined are even better than Delacar's 2hs Sword.  Not too mention the Damage/Delay on the Morningstar is almost Identical to Delacars Sword and I still get to wear a shield while wielding it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1 Hs with a Damage of 15-44 and if I remember the delay is 1.7 sec.....can't complain about that !</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>