Hey everyone,
I've been playing the game for about a week now and read tons on the wiki, but I have a question about shield canceling. Which sword benefits the most from the animation cut time from shield canceling? I would imagine slow swords with massive damage/range benefit the most, but certain people ingame tell me that faster swords benefit more. Can people give me some input? Thanks
Answer: ALL
All swords benefit from shield canceling especially if you are just throwing out swing 1. The BTB/FF is on of the faster swords in the game and its first swing is a very wide arc. If you shield canceling the BTB/FF drastically cuts off the first swing animation. If you shield cancel after the second swing (thrust really) of the BTB/FF it cuts the animation of so drastically many people can't even see it.
In short if you are not going to do a full combo always shield cancel with any sword fast or slow. If you are using a 3 swing sword practice canceling after the first swing and canceling after the second swing (I cancel 3rd swings too, but that is more about getting my shield up then cutting off the animation).
Thanks for the answers. I realize all swords benefit from shield canceling, but I was wondering if a specific sword benefits more dps wise than others.
Best DPS would probably go to doing a full combo. Shield canceling is more about throwing out quick protected shots then it is maximizing damage because 2nd and 3rd swings typically do more damage then 1st swings. Now if we are comparing throwing out just 1st swings to 1st swings with shield cancel then yeah shield canceling will drastically improve DPS in this case.
A heavy sword, DA/GF will do more damage per swing, but a Brandish line will do faster swings & comes out ahead when it comes to total damage from the whole combo. The benefit for shield canceling with heavy swords is not so much for DPS as it is for safety. The delay from 1st swing to 2nd swing can leave you too exposed in some cases. Here is a nice chart for combos per minute and total combo damage:
http://wiki.spiralknights.com/Lancer_Knightz_%28Guild%29/Data
Let me mention the piercing swords have an odd property: the second hit can be shield canceled almost before the animation.
Then i'd have to recommend a hot edge. Because its cheap for the damage it does.
Totally makes sense.
OK, I'm going to have to say that post #6 not so much and post #7 Reeaaally? A 1* sword that causes minor fire and doesn't upgrade past 2*? Reeaaaally?
FoV is sadly a very lack luster weapon for anything but the charge (the speed bars lie like crazy). If you want a fire sword go with a Combuster (preferable with CTR).
Most benefit, would be the 2 swings. The slow swords. It keeps one safe, and allows flexibility. Yes, you can also reap the same benefits with fast swords. The first 2 swings of the 3 swing swords can be sped up with shield canceling.
There is really no reason not to shield cancel, as it is extremely helpful. Of course, if you know you can unleash and aim a full combo of any kind without being hit, go for it.