What's the trick to beating a shield bearing opponent?

[Bubbles]

Aside from the highly skilled horseback archer strategy which works 100% of the time what do I need to do to beat them with a sword? They just endlessly block my attacks with their shield and even when if I get a perfect block they just block me with their shield. I'm not perfect so they do hit me and I eventually die, I would rather fight on the ground for fun then shoot everything from horseback.

Is there a trick? I just need more skillpoints in swords?

[GreenBob]

you need a mace, and lots of rage.

[RTG]

Combos, patience and stamina management work to. Patience becouse they might get a perfect block in which interrupts your combo. No mercy when you suspect their stamina in turn to be low. Yes, you can block, but regular blocks cost stamina... And eventualy cant be kept up. If you can beat enough with your stamina without actualy bypassing their shield at least at times is another question of course, probably will have to get some riposte and combos in.

[I Love Milk]

1) Train with Captain Bernard.
2) Use Master Strikes
3) Sword combos - if executed properly, they seem to bypass the opponent's defense.

[Ranger Jackson]

Walk into your opponent to trigger a clinch, spam an attack button once clinch start, if you beat your opponent in a clinch you'll get an opening.

[Nox]

The trick is to draw them out. Press attacks, be conservative with your defenses until you push them into losing initiative - in other words, where you have stamina and they don't and then hammer that nail through the board.

It's definitely a game of patience and skill. Use ripostes to knock down stamina and clinches to set up attacks.

[haroldogiesta]

Scarmaker sword combo and a good sword.

DownLeft , Stab,Stab

[ammarmar]

I have yet to execute a successfull combo. The best way I've found so far was to use a hammer. After a while they will get tired and lower their shield, then it's an easy kill.

Or, if you are too weak for this tactic - use a bow :)

[thisoldguy57]

I played thro the whole game primarily as a swordsman. You can beat all opponents if you don't rush to win. I found the best swords to be longswords, especially the 'stab' ones (Pricker, Dualist) and I used a shield in combat to block. Great fun, and very satisfying when you win a swordfight.

[Jeffhey]

Do under swings ,hitting them from below the shield can stagger them and then get some body or head blows. Also you can feint attack using default "E" right after you start swinging(needs practice). Using a longsword i use feint slash on his shield and stab. OR good ol buck potion and vitality and also vitality works as a fast heal over time. So ifu use before a fight , u will replenish Hp for the remaining set time.

[neofrommatrix]

Press F to throw him off balance

[kalashnjkov21]

Attacking him when he tries to attack, damage and interrupt his attack. Need high speed and fast weapon.

[Lightning]

Pull bow all the way back and aim at head

[Danceofmasks]

Kill all his friends, equip the lowest damage shortsword, then torture him with death by a thousand cuts.

[Sunrock]

Originally posted by Bubbles.:

Aside from the highly skilled horseback archer strategy which works 100% of the time what do I need to do to beat them with a sword? They just endlessly block my attacks with their shield and even when if I get a perfect block they just block me with their shield. I'm not perfect so they do hit me and I eventually die, I would rather fight on the ground for fun then shoot everything from horseback.

Is there a trick? I just need more skillpoints in swords?

Well it can be that you need more skillpoints in sword or warfare skills.

But the trick to beat some one with a shield is attack on the side he does not hold the shield.

Try to run into him and force a clinch and then press F (on PC) as soon as it start and you will kick him away making him loose balance. This will guarantee you a hit he can't block.

Try to land combos. The last attack in a combo can't be blocked and do allot of damage.

[Czar]

Say they are wielding shield in right hand.... They would lunge/slash forward towards you, you strafe Right on a perfect block, use a stab to the head(usually) to knock them off balance and combo up.