Defenses

staff + pugil is NOT more defensive than shield block

It's more offensive.

Staffs are very good for defense in favorable conditions, but shields are more dependable. The best bet is a staff + shield, but that cripples your offense.

Look at the order of attacks in a series of rounds. If you see a third offhand attack but no second offhand, it must be independent. If that doesn't happen, they must be dependent. Take a look at my example in my previous post.

Shield specialty warriors should have a large defensive advantage over staff lore warriors now due to the shield lore boost.

If you aren't a shield expert warrior, don't use shields as a warrior.

What upsets me is that staff + pugil is more defensive than shield block. I'm holding a giant slab of metal against your stick' date=' I should be more defensive. After having a shield lore warrior and a staff lore warrior back to back I can say that it IS more defensive than a shield and it's aggravating.[/quote']

From memory they are about the same (defense wise) when you are unblinded, know your assaliants weapon and have around the same hitroll.

As soon as:

a) You are blinded with no blind fighting;

You don't know the weapon that is trying to hit you;

c) Your assaliant has MUCH higher hitroll than you;

d) Several (or all) of the above then;

shield block becomes your best friend (espeically in the hitroll situation). Its dependable almost 100% of the time, whereas a staff is only when you've managed to rig most conditions to favour yourself (as Mya said, favourable conditions).

Warriors (and to a lessor extent rangers) can really push a pugil strategy to their advantage as they get that hitroll up. Not that I'm saying this is the 'best' strategy in all situations (vs casters you can risk less defense for more offense, and perhaps should) but its certainly a great place to start.

L-A

Trick, if you compare a staff warrior who has 120% in staff, with above average two handed and parry ability, to a shield, then yes, staff is more defensive.

All valid points. I'll do some more experimenting.