Sword and Shield build

Any suggestions for decks/techniques for a sword and shield build, hoping to be able to tank better than my 2H build
Thanks

 

Giving it a try and so far I am really enjoying it,

Deck is
Z. Ignite, Knights Grace, Fortify Defence
A. Glancing Blow, deflect, bolster balance and inner strencgth
2. Healing touch, Purify. Healing ray
Q. Parry
W. Riposte
3. Double slash, Rend, Shield bash
4. Double slash, Rend, Shield bash
5. Coup de grace
R. Thrust.
T. Whirling Blades

I don't use whirling blades that often so may switch with Rend or for undead Banish.

That's my solo deck, will start on group deck for tanking soon

 

I hear Rend can be pretty awesome.

 

Well dig in appears pretty rubbish as it stops you doing anything, hope Testudo is better

 

Dig-in only makes sense if you're in the middle of a group or if you have a combat pet.

 

For bosses, I would suggest giving rend its own slot to x6/x5 stack it asap. apart from that, your deck sounds good!

 

I would try to use a shield with masterworks that add bonus to stun duration for shield bash and charge if you aren't already.

I love having a locked slot for shield bash, when used with that masterwork it can deal out some really nice stuns. If you can make room for it (maybe by moving parry in with your other defensive skills) you may want to try it out.

 

Has anyone tried a build without magic? Tactics specialist with what?

 

@Sara Dreygon is actually a Non-Magical Swordsman! Could probably help you!

 

Tactics and heavy currently. Switched from blade spec to heavy spec for PVP as pole/archery were better than blades in PVP in most scenarios but blades is still my highest tree and best for PVE.

I don't cast any magic but do travel with people who buff me or heal me from time to time but I'm pretty used to playing without either.

In PVP I win most fights even without any magic but heavy spec and high high defense, DPS, and versatility help a ton.

 

I dont use swords, but FWIW, 2h Polearm is much, much better than 1h Polearm + shield. Its actually even way more defensive, due to increased range and how fast it kills multiple opponents.

I also dont use very much magic - strength of earth, sometimes crystal shield, and some heals. I dont count poison as magic

 

Currently polishing a shield+polearm+combat pet build. The pet makes up for the weaker damage of the 1-hand polearm while shield bash and push allow me to cc mobs off the pet when we get too many adds.

One interesting thing i noticed is that shield bash seems to contribute to the offhand power skill under the tactics tree.

I've tried the shield+polearm build before but as @Black Tortoise noted, dps was too low. My bear more than makes up for it while adding bashes and knockdowns of his own.

We basically tank for each other, works well

 

I know this sounds like a noob question but how do you use poison? Do you just consume it while swinging your weapon? Or something else?
Thanks
vj

 

Best way is to leave it on your utility hotbar (the one for out of combat stuff) and like you said, consume it while swinging, or just before a fight! You drag the actual bottle to the hotbar btw, so you can have multiple poisons for multiple uses!

 

Its also a skill you can use while stealthed, and its not affected by running