Shield or Two handing?

[QuetzalCuttle]

Shields don't seem as important in ds2, should I bother with one or just practice playing with a two handed weapon or duel wielding. Obviusly it's subjective but I'd like to hear some thoughts.

[EXPLODENSTEIN]

Why don't you just play the game and see for yourself?

[Dusk of Oolacile]

2 handing. There's no broken input queuing and mambojumbo bloodborne enemies in this game. You can rely on rolling all the way into NG+1000, in any circumstances.

[QuetzalCuttle]

Originally posted by EXPLODENSTEIN:

Why don't you just play the game and see for yourself?

I am doing, I just wanted to know what other people think to widen my perspective.

[alekzanderlr]

Note that the two hand moveset isn't always better than one handed.
Anyway, even if you're experienced, you might still want to use a shield against fast/annoying enemies like mannequins or alonne knights.

[EXPLODENSTEIN]

Originally posted by Trickster:

Originally posted by EXPLODENSTEIN:

Why don't you just play the game and see for yourself?

I am doing, I just wanted to know what other people think to widen my perspective.

Opinions of others can sometimes be useful but experience always is.

[BAS1FUK]

Shields are less effective here than in DS1, but there's still a place for them, specially if it's your first time playing. Infusing has some interesting effects. The blossom kite shield, for instance can be made to have 100% defense against poison.

[QuetzalCuttle]

Originally posted by alekzanderlr:

Note that the two hand moveset isn't always better than one handed.
Anyway, even if you're experienced, you might still want to use a shield against fast/annoying enemies like mannequins or alonne knights.

Good points, I should have mentioned that I am using the Puzzling stone sword with the leo ring (at the moment anyway).

[King Robert Baratheon]

Originally posted by Trickster:

Shields don't seem as important in ds2, should I bother with one or just practice playing with a two handed weapon or duel wielding. Obviusly it's subjective but I'd like to hear some thoughts.

You're wrong. Until you've experimented with 100% block shields (specifically greatshields) with high stability you don't know what you're talking about. With the right setup and great magic shield applied to your greatshield it's possible to tank a lot (and that's an understatement). All the footage i've seen of people using shields in dark souls 3 makes me think they're useless there. Miyazaki and his bloodborne fanboys destroyed the idea of a tank build in dark souls 3.

[QuetzalCuttle]

Originally posted by Bearer of the Curse:

Originally posted by Trickster:

Shields don't seem as important in ds2, should I bother with one or just practice playing with a two handed weapon or duel wielding. Obviusly it's subjective but I'd like to hear some thoughts.

You're wrong. Until you've experimented with 100% block shields (specifically greatshields) with high stability you don't know what you're talking about. With the right setup and great magic shield applied to your greatshield it's possible to tank a lot (and that's an understatement). All the footage i've seen of people using shields in dark souls 3 makes me think they're useless there. Miyazaki and his bloodborne fanboys destroyed the idea of a tank build in dark souls 3.

Yeah the build variety isn't really there in ds3, it's a shame.

[The Average Ivy Enjoyer]

Originally posted by Trickster:

Shields don't seem as important in ds2, should I bother with one or just practice playing with a two handed weapon or duel wielding. Obviusly it's subjective but I'd like to hear some thoughts.

Hold a greatshield in two hands, and you're set to play the game prepared.

[Neil McCauley]

2-handing + stamina regen shield on back - thats how I do it.
Also, increase your ADP to like 27 or 28

[76561198422541371]

1111

[Yal]

I'd say "switch between twohanding and onehanding depending on the situation" - a lot of weapons have really different 1H and 2H movesets and switching between them depending on situation helps you adapt to the situation.

[飒飒飒]

111

[TrueArchery]

Originally posted by Neil McCauley:

+ stamina regen shield on back

Useless tbh, I don't recommend this at all.

Shields are really good. The most valuable stat is stability, the next physical damage reduction (even though a few percent less than 100 is still fine as the chip damage is really minimal and can easily be countered with i.e. Lifegems), then the average elemental reductions. The stat-requirements aren't unimportant either. The reduction+stability/weight ratio is what makes a shield efficient and effective.

2 really good shields are i.e. the Twindragon Greatshield and the Defender's Shield.
Good early game shields are the Twindragon, the Drangleic Shield, the Royal Kite Shield ("discount" 100% phys block) and the Old Knight Shield (heavy and stat-demanding tho, but the best stability of any medium shield).

If you go for damage and "skill" by learning movesets by heart, go twohanded.
If you want another layer of safety, go for a shield. Honestly almost ANY shield is already a good sidearm just because it can block stuff that might've staggered or killed you.