Thoughts on PLD changes

[Nedkel]

Still dont understand How a sword and shield job do more damage than the 2 handed weapon jobs.

Historically, sword and shield are deadlier than just a sword.

[Hezzlocks]

Historically, sword and shield are deadlier than just a sword.

Yeah, this is pretty true. Shields aren't just for defense. They can be used to catch your opponent's weapon and throw them off balance, making for a much easier target, and of course being slammed at full force by a solid piece of steel or even wood will disorientate you and leave you wide open.

Of course, yeah, a well-placed blow with a very large very sharp sword will do more damage in a single hit, with the possibility of even cleaving through the shield if it finds a weak spot. And in-game logic of course typically has sword/shield combos do less damage, so yeah

[VargasVermillion]

Of course, yeah, a well-placed blow with a very large very sharp sword will do more damage in a single hit, with the possibility of even cleaving through the shield if it finds a weak spot. And in-game logic of course typically has sword/shield combos do less damage, so yeah

Cleaving a shield would be practically impossible, a poorly made or damaged one maybe. The only time you'd hit a shield would be either your blow was blocked or you willingly attacked it, both bad options.

[dragoelete]

Cleaving a shield would be practically impossible, a poorly made or damaged one maybe. The only time you'd hit a shield would be either your blow was blocked or you willingly attacked it, both bad options.

i will say if im using a purely woden shield or a shield that only has metal around the edges your not gonna see me blocking a giant sword or axe im gonna def try my best to dodge and only block as a last resort since a giant sword would fracture the bones in your arm from the impact and in the case of a giant axe ... wel axes were made to cut wood so i wouldnt feel to comfy blocking an axe with a wooden shield.

[TouchandFeel]

Cleaving a shield would be practically impossible, a poorly made or damaged one maybe. The only time you'd hit a shield would be either your blow was blocked or you willingly attacked it, both bad options.

You definitely can break or cleave through a shield with the right weapon.

Most shields used in actual combat throughout history weren't made from large sheets of metal, but from wood that was often reinforced with leather binding and strategically placed small pieces of metal for greater strength. Shields made almost entirely of metal didn't really appear until much later and were much smaller in size and tended to be for tourney, ceremonial use or fencing like the buckler. The sheer weight and unwieldiness of a large metal shield pretty much excludes their practical use on the battlefield.

A weapon with enough weight and inertia behind it like a large axe, maul or a large heavy sword like the Dacian Falx would potentially be able to get through a shield or at least mess it up enough to render it fairly useless.
Historical records even mention how the Roman legions were thrown for a loop a bit because of certain weapons like the Francisca and the Dacian Falx being able to break through their shields and injure or kill the soldier, rendering their shield formations less effective.

Also, directly attacking the shield in an attempt to break it was a tactic that was actually used on the battlefield. In the instance of large shieldwall formations, the intent of directly attacking the shields is obvious, to break the through the formation. In foot combat, shields would sometimes be targeted in an attempt to hinder the enemy. Many shields were not actually just held but strapped to the body in some way, such as a forearm strap or shoulder strap. If you break your enemy's shield and render it virtually useless, that leaves them encumbered with a busted shield getting in the way of their movement, giving you an advantage that could be the difference between life or death.

[VargasVermillion]

You definitely can break or cleave through a shield with the right weapon.

Most shields used in actual combat throughout history weren't made from large sheets of metal, but from wood that was often reinforced with leather binding and strategically placed small pieces of metal for greater strength. Shields made almost entirely of metal didn't really appear until much later and were much smaller in size and tended to be for tourney, ceremonial use or fencing like the buckler. The sheer weight and unwieldiness of a large metal shield pretty much excludes their practical use on the battlefield.

A weapon with enough weight and inertia behind it like a large axe, maul or a large heavy sword like the Dacian Falx would potentially be able to get through a shield or at least mess it up enough to render it fairly useless.
Historical records even mention how the Roman legions were thrown for a loop a bit because of certain weapons like the Francisca and the Dacian Falx being able to break through their shields and injure or kill the soldier, rendering their shield formations less effective.

Also, directly attacking the shield in an attempt to break it was a tactic that was actually used on the battlefield. In the instance of large shieldwall formations, the intent of directly attacking the shields is obvious, to break the through the formation. In foot combat, shields would sometimes be targeted in an attempt to hinder the enemy. Many shields were not actually just held but strapped to the body in some way, such as a forearm strap or shoulder strap. If you break your enemy's shield and render it virtually useless, that leaves them encumbered with a busted shield getting in the way of their movement, giving you an advantage that could be the difference between life or death.

You make some good points but I doubt it happened often enough for it to be done on the regular, shields are a mainstay up until plate armor was at it's best so naturally shields were still very effective, simply breaking a shield is not an easy task, Although it's interesting you mentioned the romans but left out pilums which adding to your point were primarily designed to hinder shields so go figure :P