How do i fight against shield users using a 2 hander?

[Armstrong]

People have told me to keep them at a distance and break their shield, but alot of the time especially against the higher quality shields they close the gap really quickly with their shield in tact and i'm at their mercy. It's even more ridiculous when they have two shields, they are essentially extra health bars.

The frustrating thing is the sword and shield gameplay is so boring in comparison to 2handed, because it's essentially just exchanging hits to each others shields until one of them breaks.

Am i missing something really obviously that allows the 2 handers to still be used against sword and shield. I mean i need to manual block point blank attacks and hope he messes up wereas he just needs to hold down the shield button and slash me with his much faster weapon.

It just doesn't seem at all balanced.

 

[raider969]

I actually find it easier fighting sword with shield combo than facing off with another two hander, mainly because of my range bonus. Sure their shields might be hard to break, but a good shield is also a heavy shield, making them easy to out manoeuvre (assuming you're only armed with a two handed weapon with nothing else to weight you down).

 

[Drekor]

Axes work very well for breaking through shields and as raider969 said you're likely much more mobile than them, use that and ensure you get some hits in on them(or their shield) then back out of range. If you're using an axe it won't take long.

 

[Armstrong]

I noticed that axe thing just, when i was on a dueling server. I guess I must be too weighed down by armour or something and that's why they were catching up to me so easily. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Louist]

If you are going two-hander, avoid the heavy armour. You're just asking for trouble.

 

[Armstrong]

So i'll still be able to pack pedal just as fast as a shield user runs forwards just because he has a shield weighing him down?

 

[Louist]

You want to go with the best 2-hander you can afford, and light or no armour. He's going to be using as heavy armour and shield as he can afford, so he'll be mightly slow, and you couldn't be much faster. Just stay out of his range and take potshots at his shield, or if your quicker and more daring, dart to his side and try a quick hit on his sword arm.

 

[Archonsod]

There's a couple of tricks you can use. As already pointed out, you should have a longer reach than them. If you attack while you're at your maximum distance and backpedal then you can keep out of range of their weapon. Just rinse and repeat until you've broken through the shield.
If they get close then you can use a kick to stagger them and give you a free hit. For best results you need to feint - chamber as if you were going to attack and as soon as the shield goes up hit kick. They'll stagger backwards and if you're quick you'll be able to get a blow in while they're recovering.
Learn to chamber block too. If you can chamber block their attempted swing you can complete the attack before they have time to get the shield back up. It's not that much harder than manual blocking really.

 

[Ekardt]

My advice, always has been and always will be, is to not use a 2H until youve gotten decent to good at manual blocking. Sword & board is simple and effective, and combined with a spear on your back, extremely versatile and useful in nearly any situation.

 

[Skot the Sanguine]

Exactly what Archonsod said, with the addition and emphasis on manual blocking.  It is hard in the beginning to learn, but most people pick it up at a decent pace.  Honestly, I (a 2-hand weapon user) prefer fighting shield users because I can usually strike when they begin to let down their shield for an attack.  Regardless, practice is the key.

 

[Weren]

My advice, always has been and always will be, is to not use a 2H until youve gotten decent to good at manual blocking. Sword & board is simple and effective, and combined with a spear on your back, extremely versatile and useful in nearly any situation.

You aint gonna learn manual blocking with shield&sword, If you wanna get better with 2h's, you ought to wield them.
What works against majority of the shield wearing people, is feinting. Learn this trick, Atleast the newer players get really confused after a feint or two.

And yeah, also what Arch said.