Sword/Board for solo PvE?

MagicalLija · May 2020

So I'm currently playing a Stamina Warden using a Two-Handed/Bow setup.

I don't really like the aesthetic of having the two-handed weapons, So I was wondering if Sword/Board would also work well?

zvavi · May 2020

Define solo PvE, the kind of content you are doing.

Artemiisia · May 2020

pretty much everything thats overland is open for all weapon combinations

switching out 2hander for shield and 1 hand, will result in a dps decrease but you will still be able to do everything overland content if that's what you feel like doing.

if you thinking of going into dungeons with shield/bow, people might start looking at you funny, due to knowing the dps output will be smaller, and if you are not a tank going into dungeon with a shield/1hander as well

ill say play w/e you feel like is fun in the end

VaranisArano · May 2020

It'll be less DPS, but that's okay in overland questing.
Just don't use Puncture on World bosses unless you are okay with tanking aggro.

Reverb · May 2020

I really like the aesthetic of a battle mage, and have multiple characters that use s+b for overland content, and run only class and guild skills on that bar (sometimes defensive posture).

I would never queue for group content that way, but it’s perfectly good for soloing public dungeons, dolmen, exploration, and anything else outside of vet dungeons or trials.

Stx · May 2020

Sword and board works well for solo pve on certain classes depending on their spammable or if the class already has access to minor maim and major fracture which are both very important for soloing.

You lose some weapon damage with a shield but you gain armor and a much cheaper block with better mitigation.

I use a sword and shield on my stamina sorcerer while soloing because it gives me minor maim, minor protection, and major fracture, plus added defense for blocking big hits. Shield bash spammable deals about the same damage as surprise attack for a nightblade, and it actually does more if you block hits which is cool.

So to answer your question, yes. It's a great weapon set for solo pve on most classes. I wouldnt try to dps with it in a group though.

kichwas · May 2020

It's perfectly OK for overland content. If you're solo no one but you will care about your DPS. It has to be viable so tanks can level the skill, and I've done so.

It won't be as fast to take things on - but if you're fine with the altered pace go for it.

Wandering_Immigrant · May 2020

You can wear whatever you're comfortable with in solo PVE. My Stam warden wears s&b with bow back bar, she no problem getting done anything she needs to in the overland.

TheRealPotoroo · May 2020

MagicAndrej wrote: »

So I'm currently playing a Stamina Warden using a Two-Handed/Bow setup.

I don't really like the aesthetic of having the two-handed weapons, So I was wondering if Sword/Board would also work well?

My first character was a S&B Orc stamdk tank. He did everything from killing Molag Bal to Cadwell's Gold poking things one-handed and it was painful. It took so long to kill anything it's not funny. Morrowind nerfed stamina regen which wrecked him as a solo character so now he's DW instead. The ease of killing things with axe and dagger is extraordinary, it's chalk and cheese, to the point I could never go back unless ZOS implement a locker room so I could swap between builds without cost.