Unpopular Opinion: Shields Need Nerfing

[Major Sparkles]

Currently, there's a glaring absence of drawbacks to wielding a shield in Enshrouded. This oversight has resulted in peculiar scenarios where traditionally light-armored builds like assassins, mages, and archers strut around with hefty shields without any consequences. Such occurrences not only break immersion but also defy logical expectations.

To address this issue, I propose maintaining the existing mechanics of shields while introducing penalties that affect stamina regeneration and dexterity when a shield is equipped. This adjustment aligns with realism and adds strategic depth to gameplay.

Furthermore, to foster even more diverse character builds, I suggest exploring the possibility of allowing an offhand weapon to be equipped in the shield slot in future updates. This would open up exciting avenues for players to experiment with unconventional combat styles and enhance overall gameplay dynamics.

[thestile]

I'm just starting the game but: doesn't the shield block a certain amount of damage? Or is it just basically a forcefield against attack damage?

I'm probably gonna go the warrior route so I thought I'd ask. Does sound a bit OP.

I thought that one of the drawbacks should be that the shield blocks a certain amount (dependent on character strength) of damage incoming and anything over that amount would be taken into your character's health.

[Major Sparkles]

Originally posted by thestile:

I'm just starting the game but: doesn't the shield block a certain amount of damage? Or is it just basically a forcefield against attack damage?

I'm probably gonna go the warrior route so I thought I'd ask. Does sound a bit OP.

I thought that one of the drawbacks should be that the shield blocks a certain amount (dependent on character strength) of damage incoming and anything over that amount would be taken into your character's health.

Higher level shields can block higher amounts of damage. If an enemy attacks you with an attack that overpowers your shield it will stagger you for a moment.... but yes beyond that situation, it is essentially a front facing force-field.

[Valdyr]

What is your basis for "realism"with shields? I practice HEMA with historically accurate shields and they don't affect my stamina or dexterity. When properly made they are fairly light (most shields were just a few mm thick) and can be wielded by a skilled fighter quite dexterously (look at historical shield and Norse Sverth sharp-sword forms). The only affront to realism I see here is that the shield doesn't break apart after absorbing a certain amount of damage.

[Nerevar]

given the overall difficulty is a joke and you can beat anything by button mashing and mage beeing grossly OP compared to other classes (can oneshot bosses pretty much) this is a minro issue overall and can be ignored until the more glaring stuff has been addressed.

[Cass]

Shields are awesome and if mages want to use shields they should. cause why wouldn't they?
The answer is not to nerf shields its to give viable alternatives to the slot. holding torches in the left hand. holding a lantern.. parry dagger. theres wards already of course.

[Major Sparkles]

Originally posted by Rethys:

What is your basis for "realism"with shields? I practice HEMA with historically accurate shields and they don't affect my stamina or dexterity. When properly made they are fairly light (most shields were just a few mm thick) and can be wielded by a skilled fighter quite dexterously (look at historical shield and Norse Sverth sharp-sword forms). The only affront to realism I see here is that the shield doesn't break apart after absorbing a certain amount of damage.

a light shield or buckler would fit that niche then.

[Loot]

I'm just happy that the game doesn't force you to use a shield if you want to not take damage while blocking. Most games have chip damage when you don't use a shield and it annoys the hell out of me. That said, I haven't really used a shield much, other than to deal with bug swarms that track you through your dodges.

[Chris]

Yea, no.

['norabseven]

Shields consume stamina when they block damage, you run out of stamina you become stunned and can't block anymore until you have stamina back.

Shields are terrible for higher level mobs, dodging is king, not to mention that shields have a internal cooldown to how quickly you can shield -> unshield -> shield so you can't just spam it trying to get a parry. If you miss time your parry you are unshielded and will get hit.

Also, if you are hit while trying to parry you may or may not be able to raise your shield again before the enemy has finished their combo and killed you, also you can't hold shield currently to raise your shield after mistiming your parry, you need to wait then click when it's off cooldown and it doesn't tell you when this is.

Shields need a buff more than a nerf, maybe not on the how much it protects side, but mechanically they need more work, they are more inconvenience than anything.

I used shields from level 1 upto endgame trying to be a tank and block/parry everything while dying all the time. The moment I stopped trying to shield everything and just dodged and hit the whole game changed, shielding is broke.

Get level appropriate gear, go warrior, get bloodrage talent, you will never use a shield again.

[Foxglovez]

OP not interested in facts or logic. Just wants to have an opinion, no matter how flawed.

[Seyton]

I would say it isn't a problem with the shields, its a problem with combat overall not being very balanced or challenging.

If you make shields worse, it won't change the fact you can cheese any enemy with ranged. Or stun-lock most with basic attacks.

The bones of combat are really good, it needs number tweaks now.

[Gerarderloper]

Do shields not have durability? perhaps they can have it be damaged more based on the damage it blocks.

The whole larger starter zone is a bit of a push over. Game certainly does need some difficulty tweaks and likely difficulty settings (has NOTHING atm)

[Major Sparkles]

Originally posted by Gerarderloper:

Do shields not have durability? perhaps they can have it be damaged more based on the damage it blocks.

The whole larger starter zone is a bit of a push over. Game certainly does need some difficulty tweaks and likely difficulty settings (has NOTHING atm)

Shields do not have durability.

[scohp]

Originally posted by Major Sparkles:

Originally posted by Gerarderloper:

Do shields not have durability? perhaps they can have it be damaged more based on the damage it blocks.

The whole larger starter zone is a bit of a push over. Game certainly does need some difficulty tweaks and likely difficulty settings (has NOTHING atm)

Shields do not have durability.

Shields do have durability. Though you're likely to only run into issues if you take low level shields into high level areas.

Actually managed to out durability the round shield, since it can take a while to get everything lined up for the kite shield.

[k4Qu]

this game has zero balancing. its all over the place. it also doesnt seem as if they are trying to be a hardcore game. its just taking proven mechanics like stamina and parrying and implementing them in a very casual way. nothing is really consequential in the current state. buff food is so strong you dont have to care about stamina at all. parrying is so easy that enemies mostly get to hit you once and are stunned and die. thats mobs above ur lvl, anything else is just dead anyways.

the game could work well with a challenging combat system where your choices and actions matter, but it seems that its not their intention. everything about the games designs is very casual.