Moving backwards is too slow using the current engine
Not if you have high athletics skill. That's why I said "if you're fast enough".
raising your shield wouldn't stop you from being pushed back (realistically)
Yes, that's true, but I never said anything about not being pushed back. I just said that you wouldn't receive the usual damage from shield bash if you raise your shield. (getting hit in the head by a shield and all that jazz)
Counter bashing would stun both players, but for a shorter time than usual.
And if you can shield bash why couldn't you also bodily bash your opponents when heavily armored?
Well you can kick people in Warband...
Shield bashing would be a much safer alternative for handweapon + shield troops.
However, this should all come with a redesign of blocking system. Blocking should be more active, with less coverage and should work similar to way in which weapon blocking works at the moment, depending on the direction from which your enemy is attacking.
Haven't tried spear bracing kits for a while (actually I haven't played M&B in quite a while) but I don't see the need for it anyway, polearms work well against cavalry in tight formation but not in a skirmish style battle which is pretty realistic, surely spear bracing just makes cavalry pretty crap altogether in melee.
Actually, it makes cavalry realistic instead of overpowered.
It works just like couched lance. You give orders to your soldiers, they kneel down and stick pikes into ground and stay that way until you give them new orders. Whatever hits the pointy edge receives damage according to it's speed. Simple and realistic.
Really I would much prefer it if TW work on improving the physics of formations . . . and maybe making the player's footwork more important in one on one combat (sidestepping, backstepping maybe lunging.)
Couldn't agree more.
