Shield/Brawl or OHE versus Runestaff

[zhelas]

I have seen this debated in this forum in multiple places. Shield/brawl or OHE vs. Runestaff. What ever you choose really depends on how to role play your character. Coming from the old school in the GS3 days where Sorcerers used shields and OHE I thought that the Runestaff was a nice addition to the world and I believe and still beleive that it fits my character. However after hunting in Shan and hunting in the Bog against Warrior Shades, I have found out that all too often I am being disarmed and having to cross my fingers that the next swing will miss or atleast not stun me so I can pick up my Runestaff. Short of walking into the room and blasting the ones that disarm you quickly, is there any defense against that? If one were to train in shield and brawl are they protected against the disarm? What is the significant difference in defense between the shield/OHE or brawl caster verses the Runestaff caster?

Thanks

Zhelas

[StrayRogue]

Shields can't be disarmed. OHE or Brawl/Shield provides more DS than a runestave however by training to use a runestave you're magical skills will naturally be better than the OHE or Brawl/Shield user.

[Gan]

I just converted my runestaff sorcerer (lvl 41) to shield/brawl and spent a few days in the bog. Still a little young for the spectres but he handled the shades and the other extremely well. I just FI'd the spectres until I ran out of mana. The other factor leading me to sheild/brawl was that my sorcerer is a master of voln and the voln fu is just sick when I run out of mana. I especially liked being able to kick/punch with my shield out, because its pointless trying to throw non-corporeal foes. The only thing you have to worry is if you do happen to die - you can have your shield stripped from your corpse.

I've since taken him back up to Illistim and found that he can also hunt the black moor area with ease and the treasure is just as good if not better.

[Edited on 8-13-2005 by Ganalon]

[StrayRogue]

Did you gain or lose DS when you converted Ganalon?

[Gan]

I gained ~30 DS converting to sheild/brawl. The only time DS is a factor is when I decide to go commando and sling the shield over my shoulder and go brawl/haste kicking and throwing. My sorcerer was 9:1 magical ranks with runestaff and I'm much more satisfied with the current arrangement. For RP reasons I even have him in Dhe'nar warlock robes instead of leathers.

I'll post some stats as soon as I can log in and get out to the moor or wraithenmist.

[Edited on 8-13-2005 by Ganalon]

[Gan]

Ok, here's the info:

Skills:
Name: Randem Soulbliterr Race: Dark Elf Profession: Sorcerer (not shown)
Gender: Male Age: 252 Expr: 1946992 Level: 42
Normal (Bonus) ... Enhanced (Bonus)
Strength (STR): 85 (17) ... 85 (17)
Constitution (CON): 87 (13) ... 82 (11)
Dexterity (DEX): 79 (24) ... 79 (24)
Agility (AGI): 83 (21) ... 83 (21)
Discipline (DIS): 77 (3) ... 77 (3)
Aura (AUR): 81 (25) ... 81 (25)
Logic (LOG): 79 (14) ... 79 (14)
Intuition (INT): 74 (17) ... 74 (17)
Wisdom (WIS): 80 (20) ... 80 (20)
Influence (INF): 82 (11) ... 82 (11)
(stats set for max TP's)

Randem (at level 42), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Shield Use.........................| 144 44
Brawling...........................| 144 44
Physical Fitness...................| 108 26
Arcane Symbols.....................| 90 20
Magic Item Use.....................| 90 20
Spell Aiming.......................| 188 88
Harness Power......................| 161 61
Spirit Mana Control................| 140 40
Sorcerous Lore - Demonology........| 90 20
Sorcerous Lore - Necromancy........| 50 10
Perception.........................| 142 42
Climbing...........................| 58 12
Swimming...........................| 25 5
First Aid..........................| 15 3

Spell Lists
Minor Elemental....................| 30

Spell Lists
Minor Spirit.......................| 20

Spell Lists
Sorcerer...........................| 42
Training Points: 10 Phy 0 Mnt (290 Phy converted to Mnt)

Spells worn for data below:

You currently have the following active spells:
Elemental Targeting
Elemental Defense I
Strength
Thurfel's Ward
Spirit Defense
Cloak of Shadows
Lesser Shroud
Spirit Warding II
Spirit Barrier
Spirit Warding I
Elemental Barrier
Elemental Defense III
Elemental Defense II

DS info: (1 critter in room) (guarded with shield)

A greater moor wight points a clawed finger at you!
CS: +189 - TD: +240 + CvA: +15 + d100: +86 - -5 == +55
Warded off!

A vourkha tosses his head back and points towards you!
A vourkha hurls a stream of fire at you!
AS: +217 vs DS: +372 with AvD: +55 + d100 roll: +65 = -35
A clean miss.
>
A barghest tries to bite you!
AS: +209 vs DS: +389 with AvD: +39 + d100 roll: +28 = -113
A clean miss.

DS info: (offensive no shield)

A vourkha hurls a stream of fire at you!
AS: +187 vs DS: +291 with AvD: +55 + d100 roll: +4 = -45
A clean miss.

A barghest tries to bite you!
AS: +209 vs DS: +227 with AvD: +39 + d100 roll: +24 = +45
A clean miss.

Offensive info:

You gesture at a greater moor wight.
CS: +222 - TD: +163 + CvA: +25 + d100: +85 == +169
Warding failed!
... and hits for 26 points of damage!
A greater moor wight is suddenly engulfed in flames of pure essence!
... 50 points of damage!
Right forearm burned clean off. At least it's cauterized.
The wight's curved scimitar falls to the ground.
The moor wight is stunned!
The moor wight shrugs off the cold.
... 35 points of damage!
Nasty shock to left hand stiffens fingers. Nice and painful.
... 10 points of damage!
Blow grazes left leg.
You feel 3 mana surge into you!
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

Casting 111 (offensive):
You utter a light chant and raise your hands, beckoning the lesser spirits to aid you with the Fire Spirit spell...
Your spell is ready.
>
You gesture at a barghest.
You hurl a roaring ball of fire at a barghest!
AS: +240 vs DS: +151 with AvD: +57 + d100 roll: +92 = +238
... and hit for 66 points of damage!
Hard strike shatters arm into vapor.
The arm reforms before your eyes!
The roaring ball of fire strikes a barghest, blossoming into a much larger sphere of flame upon impact.
... 50 points of damage!
Hard strike to the abdomen.
Ethereal entrails seem to spill from the barghest's mangled substance,
vanishing into misty tendrils as they strike the ground.
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the barghest's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
The barghest falls to the ground and dies.
Cast Roundtime 3 Seconds.

Kicking with shield (offensive):

You attempt to kick a vourkha!
MB: 221 vs MB: 139 = 82 -- Gain advantage!
Gained good position.
THT 73, d100 roll: 27, modified: 109
and hits for 12 points of damage!
... +5 extra hits. Fluid move followed by a leaping kick to back!
Foe knocked to the ground and stunned!
Roundtime: 4 sec.

Kicking without shield (offensive):

You attempt to kick a vourkha!
MB: 224 vs MB: 180 = 44 -- Gain advantage!
Moved into position.
THT 73, d100 roll: 39, modified: 83
and hits for 3 points of damage!
with a quick kick to the body.
Roundtime: 4 sec.

Throwing without shield (offensive):

>throw vour
You attempt to throw a vourkha!
MB: 198 vs MB: 110 = 88 -- Gain advantage!
Gained good position.
THT 63, d100 roll: 96, modified: 184
... +8 extra hits. Hip throw sends foe tumbling.
You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the vourkha's body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens.
The vourkha slumps to the ground as the light departs his eyes.
The glowing specks of energy surrounding a vourkha suddenly shoot off in all directions, then quickly fade away.
A vourkha appears somehow different.
Roundtime: 4 sec.

[zhelas]

Thank you for taking the time to post. I think seeing the post of a brawling sorcerer in action has helped me and many others put things into perspective. I really truely believe it is how one wants to RP their character. I think both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and are viable paths.

Thanks for your help.

Zhelas

[nocturnix]

I will probably fixskill to brawl/shield IF I ever buy a 7x+ shield altered to look like a staff/runestaff

Those are pretty nifty and the only reason I'm attached to my runestaff is because of looks and that I dont like the idea of wearing a shield and no weapon while hunting.

However, if I could get the added benefits of extra DS and better commando abilities while still looking like I'm using a runestaff I'd do it.

[Sean of the Thread]

I like my brawling sorc much better now.. but like others have said.. forget about magic skills.

[Asha]

I think I lost like 20 CS when I converted to brawling / shield.
I gained about 28 DS to cirtain attacks but the all out loss of both maxed out mana shares and CS scared me off.

(having a cunt of a time trying to post anything today, grr)