Allow me to introduce my shield to your face
by Alex Ziebart 
Sep 2nd 2008 at 12:30PM
To some extent, Warriors have fought like this for quite awhile. Shield Bash, Shield Slam, things like that. It wasn't just Shield Block. However, none of that stuff hit very hard. Sure, Protection Warriors shouldn't be able to rock the DPS with their shield, but Shield Slam was more like Shield Bump. The higher block values and thus higher Shield Slam damage is exciting, and the addition of Sword and Board puts even more emphasis on the shield.
Protection Paladins get some of this, too. It's not just about blocking via Holy Shield. The Burning Crusade added Avenger's Shield, and Wrath of the Lich King is taking it farther with Shield of Righteousness. At least to me, this seems like a fun direction. When I'm tanking, I don't like to envision my Paladin huddled behind their shield and occasionally poking their sword out at something with their eyes squeezed shut. I want to go in there and bash heads, and barrel things over with my shield.
I much prefer thinking of my shield as another weapon, and I'm glad to see that's being explored further by the devs.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Addisen Sep 2nd 2008 12:38PM
Ya, shields are a viable form of combat. No one ever just sits behind their shield and cowers. They bash people with them. Ya spartans!!!(and gnomes)
Paedolos Sep 2nd 2008 12:51PM
Although I think it would take a bit more than 300 gnomes to defend Sparta...
;-)
Durante Sep 2nd 2008 2:43PM
Not true; if the gnomes were undercooked all the orc's could get food poisoning.
Geamo Sep 2nd 2008 4:28PM
What the?
The above picture is from 300, yet he was referencing Maximus, from Gladiator.
Gladiator beats 300 any day.
Kaylek Sep 3rd 2008 10:11AM
I enjoyed Gladiator. But.
300 > Gladiator
Those who disagree have no soul.
Graimerin Sep 2nd 2008 12:42PM
I have both a warrior and a Pally using shield bash on my warrior i always thouhgt as getting room to swing the sword. On the Pally its just that a way for the bad guy to slowly wear himself out, think the rope a dope(Ali great rope defense) he might have been hiding but when he sprang out it was with devasting power. Now if they can figure away for that kinda of counter to be added hiding will have way more fun for me
Surtr Sep 2nd 2008 1:06PM
Check out tankspot (http://tankspot.com/) - they're doing some testing and playing with shield slam, and seeing crits of 9-12k, self-buffs only! Even in Wrath, that should be a huge improvement to protection spec solo'ing in non-fury gear.
Zotiko Sep 2nd 2008 1:01PM
Two things I'd change about warriors:
1) Make shields a weapon, with swing times and dps.
2) Make warriors a viable dueling class. (and not just for rogues at max level with max gear)
From an RP standpoint, I love playing my warrior. That being said, I play on a pvp realm and mainly solo. I can't even count the number of times I have had someone ride by, then dismount to come back for the free HK.
Tanking is a chore too, when it comes to more than two mobs on a warrior. Especially when you have a pally-heavy guild. I am VERY jealous with their ability to aoe tank.
Skill level aside, I think that these two changes would make warrior a much more fun class to play.
However, I think I may have actually just described the DK....
mudkipz Sep 3rd 2008 7:06AM
Multi tanking?
np
Aoe tanking?
useless in raids.
for the rest l2tank:D
magicswordking Sep 2nd 2008 1:02PM
My main is a paladin tank and I've always loved the nature of paladin shield-fighting, and its just getting better. I'd always carry two shields, the best tanking shield I could find and a Hardened Lichen Guard with a Felsteel Shield Spike for combat. You'd be surprised at how much a paladin can tear people up with a shield in combat. Not great in arena but there isn't anything quite like an overzealous rogue killing themselves against your shield in the BGs.
Prot AoE has always struck me as a sort of sadism spec, your enemies kill themselves, its their fault for attacking you so quickly and standing in the consecration, while taking 500+ damage from every blocked attack.
Glen Hays Sep 2nd 2008 3:19PM
Hell yeah you can use a shield as a weapon. Captain America could fling his around and take out an entire Nazi platoon with his.
Namus Sep 2nd 2008 6:48PM
AKA http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=32700 XD
Reric Sep 2nd 2008 1:09PM
I would like them to explore adding somethind to shields for shaman. Right now it just seems like we use shields simply because we can, they don't really add anything to us. It would be interesting if they did something like converting shield value or block value to an increase of our elemental shields. Heck make it a talent and replace Restorative Totems.
Saelorn Sep 2nd 2008 1:56PM
It would be nice if they want back to shamans being able to tank normal instances, with increased threat from rockbiter, but it's not going to happen. The shaman's shield is a relic of a bygone era.
wude Sep 2nd 2008 1:22PM
I rock Shield Slam on my prot warrior for solo grinding. Its pretty fun actually, and adds considerably to the damage potential of my silly 9foot tall horned meat shield.
dan Sep 2nd 2008 1:25PM
Zotiko said...
However, I think I may have actually just described the DK....
except for their lack of shields. :P
Zotiko Sep 2nd 2008 2:28PM
I was shooting for a more overarching class mechanic, but since the article is about shields, I concur.
MechChef Sep 2nd 2008 1:39PM
You guys get shield spikes. What else do you want? :D
tgruss Sep 3rd 2008 12:09AM
imagine an instant sheild attack that did dmg equal to 25% of its armor value.
I like the idea of the sheild as an offense weapon along with its defensive capabilities. I always found sword and board combat to be a bit lack luster, this would add an interesting element to playing a prot warrior/pally.
Smurk Sep 2nd 2008 1:47PM
"Watch how Legolas uses his shield -- he isn't cowering behind it -- he's surfing down staircases with it."
Shields = hunter gear