Shattered Kingdoms

Okay, why don't bards get shield block? I mean, really. How can you learn to parry with weapons, but not use a shield. Another thing. For Bards to use parry properly, it almost requires them to be in the front row(which is a horrible idea as a bard), where shield block would be a -massive- benefit as well. The two most common weapons used by Bards, are. Landsknecht(a massive two handed sword that has reach) and battle-whips(a one-handed whip) now, somehow I don't really think a massive 2-handed sword fits bards very well. But there's no reason to use a battle-whip really(You can't even parry with it), unless you just desperately want the enchants on the shield you hold and don't even know how to use.

Bards do not have the ability to live through melee combat, so they use reaching weapons all the time usually, and the only two they have the skills to use are Landsknechts and Battle-whips. Why does a class that has no place whatsoever in the front row get parry and not shield block?

I propose the removal of the parry skill from Bards, and replace it with Shield Block. Or, just like you know, give them shield block too. Bards have all sorts of advanced combat skills(third attack, e.damage, parry, trip), but they don't learn shield block, what the hell? Even priests get shield block.

Technically speaking, using a shield would be WAY easier than parrying blows. If you can parry, you should be able to figure out how the hell to use a shield.

Edit : So, of the 2 weapons bards usually use. 1 you can parry with, but honestly makes no sense to be using, bards aren't muscle bound warriors(oh, you need high str to use landies, at least 17, I believe) and a battle-whip, which bards can't parry with, and they get to hold a shield they don't know how to use.

Basically, the game is telling you that bards are supposed to use 2-handed weapons, which I think is ridiculous.

You all know I'd vote a "YES!!!!!!!!!" on this one.

Oh, guess I should've made it a poll. It's too late now, isn't it?

Parry is part of what gives bards survivability front row. A dancing bard can actually survive fairly well, assuming missed bashes (which would stop dancing).

Blocking with a shield is actually a lot different than parrying with a weapon. I won't disagree that bards should probably have the skill, but at the same time I think it would potentially give them TOO much survivability in front ranks.

If anything, I actually think they should get e-parry instead of shield block.

Do swashbucklers get shield block?

Because I imagine bards as more of a dance/parry/tumble kind of class, rather than a hunker down behind a tower shield sort of dealie.

Peace,
Bux

Which is why I said e-parry would make more sense.

Give them e-parry, and make the chances of a trip or bash succeeding while dancing much lower then it is currently.

This would actually allow them to survive for a while in the front row.

Dance already gives a chance to avoid trip and bash.

Bards are fine the way they are.

Parry is more of a finesse technique than shield block and it suits bards better. Sorry it means your less twinky because your using only two sub-types in the game.


Syn, Try to post something other than some buff to the current class your playing...

Which is why I said, "lower then it is currently"
How often do you honestly see a bash/trip miss on a bard while dancing?
You're more likely to dodge a bash as a sprite then a dancing bard, though a sprite bard could be dangerous.