Shield VS Shield, is there more to it than just trading hits?

[Armstrong]

I prefer using 2 handed weapons but i'm finding it too hard to make use of the range of the weapon, it feels I get 1 initial hit due to my range, and then they are in my face because me walking backwards is much slower than them walking forwards towards me.

So i'm considering switching to shield, because pretty much everyone else uses them. My question is how exactly does one shield user beat another without simply exchanging hits until the shields break? There must be most to it than that right? It can't be solely decided by who has the better equiptment, or who gets the first hit, right?

 

[Tumetsu]

In public servers most people fall to simple feint or held attack.

 

[FrisianDude]

Yyyyes there is. There's also footwork, chambering, feinting, holding attacks, doubling attacks etc. Only if both players are similarly skilled and wary it'll be a trade of four or more hits.

 

[Úlfheðinn]

Mostly, thanks to a lack of blocking directions to shields it comes down to trading hits.

Sometimes, it will require chambering, holding, feinting, double attacks...

However, it will come down to trading hits for 7 or more attacks...

 

[FrisianDude]

Hardly ever. Besides, I find quite some joy in even trading hits, makes for good duels in my opinion.

 

[Úlfheðinn]

IDK, two good players with shields means you get the most boring and static duel ever...

Sadly, the developers could not be arsed to spice the combat mechanics up a bit. ^^

 

[Armstrong]

The whole lack of skill ceiling where sheilds are involved is what has made me drop this game so many times.

Is there anyway to keep the enemy out of range with 2 handers? It seems the second shield users closer in on me I can't get the distance back because back pedelling is too slow and kicking is fairly risky.

 

[findecanno]

Just block and go sideways...

 

[AWdeV]

Keep moving I guess. Moving and hitting. It's a pity a jump causes you to lose so much control of your arms and such or else it could be a neat way of keeping distance.

 

[DanAngleland]

Running backwards isn't the best solution, at least not more than once, when you still have them at the end of your long two hander's range. When they get closer, try running forwards, going either side of them, keep them turning. They will find it harder to get a clean shot on you, and may just miss/hit you for minuscule damage (less than 5). In this chaotic situation, the longer weapon (your two hander) has the advantage, and will be less likely to do only a glancing blow. Obviously, using a two hander requires decent manual blocking skills, and also feinting is often useful. Feint while still at range, then quickly follow up with a real attack; your opponent will hopefully drop their block, and attack with their shorter weapon, probably failing to reach you.

 

[Reapy]

I think someone who wants to plow in on you is going to be able to do it, but the good news is that if they are coming for you that aggressively it is pretty easy to stop and kick them as they come in. It is risky but with some practice and thinking ahead with the aiming of the kick, you should be able to trap them.

Also you can use your own aggression to slow them down sometimes, if you get them to to backpedal themselves for a moment you can use that time to backpedal as well to get out of their attack distance.

I think the biggest thing to keep that initial distance, which I know I make this mistake a lot, is to not close up on them. Even when they are sort of far away closing on you be weary of that distance, and as soon as they are reasonably in your range, start backpedaling to make it take longer for them to get you in range with their 1h.

So yeah, forward speed is more than backpedaling speed, but not by too much, so a person bull rushing you can get in close, but generally you can just run past them the other direction or wrap around and away from the side to make it a big pita for them to get close to you.

At the end of the day you need to learn to block with the 2h to keep it going. Against most shield users a double pump in one direction will net you a hit. For  the good players that use shields you are stuck pretty much hit exchanging till someones shield blows up. A shield to shield fight with a good person can be reasonably exciting I guess, but yeah, needs some spice.

 

[Armstrong]

I've also noticed alot of the time, regardless of weapon type, i'll manual block the enemies attack; attempt to attack them ASAP but end up on the recieving end of their attack.

I used to be somewhat decent at dueling about a year ago when I used to play regularly, but now i'm finding this happening alot. What am I doing wrong?

 

[The exceeding arrow]

with a 2H just spam the living sh** out of them.

 

[Magni]

Is there anyway to keep the enemy out of range with 2 handers?

Go naked, heh.

 

[Úlfheðinn]

Go naked, heh.

The classic solution to any Warband problems or tactics, that and vodka.

 

[Spec]

The key's movement. Try to get into your enemies back, or try to distract him while someone else does. Least risk, highest success rate. Teamwork required.

 

[RaVeN]

Almost everyone knows how to feint, hold, use good footwork now while fighting with sword and board so no, there isn't anything more to it than trading hits in shield vs shield.

 

[Azrooh]

Use an axe, they eat shields for breakfast.

 

[Mr.X]

To be quite honest, I "just trade hits" with 2 handers too a lot of the time, and still manage to do well. Eventually, the enemy screws up.

 

[Archonsod]

Keep moving I guess. Moving and hitting.

Fairly basic trick is to go past them on the right, start turning to your right and moving backwards and right. What happens most of the time is they start turning left to follow you, but by the time they've turned you're on the opposite side, resulting in them displaying a nice open back for you to hit.