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Mtoto Wamoto · **08-21-2013, 02:22 AM**

There are far more negatives than positives for a gladiator who chooses not to use a shield.

Shield Lob requires a shield and is your primary pulling skill. It generates 2x the enmity that it deals damage for. So if you hit for 100 dmg, that's 200 enmity.
Shield Bash is your stun skill, and trust me, you want this on your bar. There are many mobs who do some devastating aoe skills that can really damage the party or apply some pretty harsh effects like paralyze and stun. As a gladiator, you're in the front line to prevent them from doing this as the mob charges the attack.Â
Shield Swipe is one of gladiators strongest non combo attacks, sitting at 210 potency. The only non-combo attack that has a higher potency is Spirits Within, and that's locked exclusively to paladin. It also pacifies the target, meaning they can't attack for a short time (6 seconds). However, you can only use this skill following a block, and in order to block, you need a shield.
Bulwark increases block rate, which again, requires a shield.

The only way I can see a Gladiator without a shield to even function at a reasonable level of efficiency is to min-max on stats that run counter to what a gladiator is made to do. That meaning you'd be turning your gladiator into a DD, which would require an absurd amount of strength and determination to compensate for their natural lack of. They'd be lacking in actual damage skills as well, putting them far below a lancer or a pugilist with even shoddy gear on. Further, flash, provoke, and savage blade/rage of halone would be detrimental to you because you don't have the full defense you'd have otherwise if you'd have a shied on. If you want a sword focused class, wait until they introduce great swords or possibly fencer. Gladiator is strictly a tanking class in this game.

Sword Arm Focused Gladiator?

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes