You Guys Have Me Curious

What's it like using a shield? I've always noted that I fight differently from nearly everyone else since I refuse to use one, but I'm just now realizing how weird it really is that I don't use one - not even the Dark Hand. I honestly do not see the point in using one at the moment since I do okay without a shield. I won't share my experiences without using one besides the fact it feels like I can go balls to the walls with no remorse since I'm focused on dodging. I'll let others share how that works for me if they feel like it.

I really just want to get everyone's opinions on these questions: On a scale of 1-10, how much do you feel you rely on your shield? Do you feel like you use it too much? Does it ever feel like it gets in the way? Would you ever consider not using a shield?

But am I alone? Does anyone else see the light?

Edit: I should have mentioned that this is mostly from a melee's viewpoint. You casters out there can share your experiences also, though!

It's strange, I feel wierd without one... but I almost never get the chance to use it. I'm a forest hunter so if I try to block I usually just get backstabbed.

You should make a poll.

I love playing knightly types, so my sheild is my life.

Having said that, I have been working on my dodging skills, but it's not a priority for me.

no shields easy for tru dex toons and tru heavies bc we always are rollin 2hin or killin. btw wolf ring ruins tru dex feel just like poise *cough* X

Sloth9230 wrote:You should make a poll.

I would, but I'd have to start three or four threads to get answers to all of my questions. :|

I use them for some builds and don't for others. I have equal success in either case.

tinypantha wrote:no shields easy for tru dex toons and tru heavies bc we always are rollin 2hin or killin. btw wolf ring ruins tru dex feel just like poise *cough* X

I guess I'll have to pull out the DWGR every time I fight you then. Your location made me laugh a bit too much by the way.

X you seen me fight before so I can't say much. However I would say 5 at the moment. My build lacks hp so I need it to defend against stunblocks and when I make a mistake. I kinda been using it as a bait for those who try to rush. If the grass shield did not have that stamina boost I would not use it. I'm not comfortable parrying so at the least I can defend till I can strike.

i use a shield but its mostly for parrying, i dodge for the most part and only block when i have to.

I will say that my PVE build that I am making right now with 16 str is just 2handing a Lightning Zwei and doesn't actually have the endurance to use a sheild along with what I plan to use with it.

What's stunblock? I've heard of stunlock, but not stunblock.

A typo.

Ok, that sounds reasonable, but I keep seeing that "typo" everywhere.

l almost always Use a Sheild but I usually play a Knight Type Toon

tinypantha wrote:no shields easy for tru dex toons and tru heavies bc we always are rollin 2hin or killin. btw wolf ring ruins tru dex feel just like poise *cough* X

That's the spirit! I always go without any poise in dex builds, everybody mocks at me, but hey, I really don't need it, I dodge everything


On topic: Without shields, you can't parry. Unless you're using a weapon that can parry in your left hand, still it's extremely hard compared to a shield (except the Parrying Dagger of course).

I normally use a shield for PVE but rarely actually use it for PVP. I just equip the grass crest shield just for the boost and 2h my weapon depending on the situation.

I'm alright with dodging though, might need to get a bit better when it comes to dodging spears.

When I have one, I hardly use it except for parrying, but it can be very useful if you don't rely on it. However, I generally do as well without one, the only thing it really improves are setup parries, which can't be done without one.

There's two reasons I like keeping at least a heater shield on hand(the left one) Katana Running R1, and spear poke-rolling.

I honestly don't know what I'd do about these two things without one. I can roll or zone most other attacks, with a good list of things I just parry but that katana running attack man, it's so phantom-ey

I block a lot when I have a shield. deadangles are easy to spot and its easy to punish a roll with a well timed cast or unlocked attack (depending on the weapon/spell used obviously) blocking removes that option and, again, deadangles are easy to spot so not generally difficult to avoid.

I use shields all of the time, but don't rely on them. Why remove something that can block incoming damage?

I'm maining katanas and usually use them two handed with Grass Crest on my back, or Crest ready for spell spammers.

I try to roll evade everything and so I actually use my shield when I want to parry, or block. I know I can use a Parrying Dagger, heck I can do it with bare hand, but partials with those hurt and unless my opponent has 0 Poise, they're useless outside of that. Blocking is a lifesaver for me, because I get killed by thrusting attacks a LOT. Whenever I see a thrusting attack, I usually don't bother evading, nor blocking them, because the attack misses me by meters on my screen. They still hit me, sometimes even is I do remember to roll away, so instead of rolling I started to block all thrusting attacks, just to be safe. Works like a charm.

I usually use a shield until my build reaches optimal level/performance, and then I decide whether or not to remove the shield, which is almost always the Grass Crest. I NEVER use a shield in PvP, it just stays in my character's hands. I'm really not too sure if it helps with parries, because I've been using a dex with dual katanas, and I have the same amount of success with parries using a katana. I've also tried parrying with bare hands, Priscilla's Dagger, and some other small weapons. I've never really noticed any big difference.

i almost always have a shield of some sort equipped. i rely on it pretty heavily for PVE but i don't find myself actually using it that often in PVP for some reason.

Shields are awesome against people who outrange you. Making it quite hard to kill spears when using dual wielding PGSes.