2013-07-24, 11:04 PM
Sword and Shield is by no means a beginners-only weapon. It's easy to pick up, sure, but getting good at it takes time and practice and like any weapon can become very effective once you get it down.
The Sword and Shield allows for sustained damage along with the added bonus of being able to use items without sheathing your weapon.
Most people view it as weak, but that's because they like huge damage straight away with stuff like Hammer or Great Sword. While it doesn't do a lot of damage at once, it makes up for it in a large elemental modifier and high amounts of element/status damage, though people who don't know better will probably be less inclined to let you in a group.
Also, while the shield is useful in a pinch, don't rely on it. Even with skills like Guard +2 or Guard Boost, you'll still take some miniscule damage when guarding unlike Lance or Gunlance which will block damage altogether. Dodging with SnS is much more preferred, with the shield being for stuff you know you won't be able to avoid.
All in all, if you're able to get good with SnS, you'll do fine, although I would recommend learning a second weapon with some reach on it, like Lance/Gunlance or Switch Axe, that way you can reach some of the harder to hit tails on stuff like Rathalos or Deviljho.
The Sword and Shield allows for sustained damage along with the added bonus of being able to use items without sheathing your weapon.
Most people view it as weak, but that's because they like huge damage straight away with stuff like Hammer or Great Sword. While it doesn't do a lot of damage at once, it makes up for it in a large elemental modifier and high amounts of element/status damage, though people who don't know better will probably be less inclined to let you in a group.
Also, while the shield is useful in a pinch, don't rely on it. Even with skills like Guard +2 or Guard Boost, you'll still take some miniscule damage when guarding unlike Lance or Gunlance which will block damage altogether. Dodging with SnS is much more preferred, with the shield being for stuff you know you won't be able to avoid.
All in all, if you're able to get good with SnS, you'll do fine, although I would recommend learning a second weapon with some reach on it, like Lance/Gunlance or Switch Axe, that way you can reach some of the harder to hit tails on stuff like Rathalos or Deviljho.