Combat Knife: Shadow Stab or Shoulder Bash? Oh, and Knife Defence Type.

[VideoApollo113]

It's as the title says; been messing around with the knife lately (Sniper Melee) and I'm not really sure which one to go for.

Shoulder Bash feels like a one and down type of initiation attack which doesn't have as long as an animation as Distant Stab, whereas Shadow Stab (Replacing Heavy Swing) has a nice gap closer, but I don't really feel the damage difference at the moment otherwise. Any avid knife users able to vouch for either ability?

And just to throw it in there: Should I consider using the Relic Block Knife at all? (For its 14+ Power) I'm quite fond of parrying, but have only ever used Balanced Melee weapons as my go to.

[Grimmbart Groll]

Shoulder bash is superior for its stagger and knocking off feet minoris. Fencing! Always go for fencing. You want to parry as much as possible with the knive. Dmg is irellevant on the knife. It's all about parry-gun striking the big guys to finish them after 2 strikes.

[Chaos]

First thing first.
Any melee that can't Parry sucks.

Try it, you will see it's not worth it.

As for the knife move.

I don't have a good experience with Shadow shadow stab or any other melee charge attack other than Hammer actually.

- Very Slow
- Doesn't one shot majoris even when fully charged
- Break sniper's cloak at the beginning of charging
- Short range

While shoulder bash is actually decent.

- Okay aoe
- Guarantee knock down
- Pretty fast and spammable.
- Damage is rather low tho

Since you're forced to pick between the two to progress the perk tree.

Just pick whatever that will bring you most of the perk you want, neither of these moveset are game changer.

But shoulder bash is just better.

[Magni]

Personally I've grown to love Shoulder Bash, and chaining light attacks is kind of the better move compared to Shadow Stab when you wanna stab a Majoris to death anyway.

[Maverick]

When ♥♥♥♥ gets crazy, distant stab is just clunky and gets in the way, even though its fun at times and looks nice. Shoulder bash is quick, clean and effective especially when you start to get mobbed.

Shadow stab just feels awkward and even if you have the extra 2 seconds of stealth after you start the attack, it doesn't feel great. More importantly, by taking shadow stab, you lose the quick punch which is good for interrupting / stunning an enemy quickly without having to move or combo.

[[Evil Inc.]Drakkon]

Shoulder Bash, Fencing.

nothing else matters on melee.

[Katz Chambers]

Shoulder Bash is the superior option, Shadow stab seems good but most enemies aren't going to hold still or be 'open' long enough for you to get good use of it.