Stopping a charge

[Drifter]

Something I noticed that I had a hard time stopping was a charger with a shield. What are some good defenses against this? I was thinking that with a red weapon, merely putting it out in front of you so that they run into it, but I can see flaws with that as well. Any suggestions?

[bo1]

circle back and to the shield side of the opponent. this will put you in range and them at a constant state of trying to catch up.

[Dacian]

in addition to what bo1 said...

move out of the way. Unless you're a decent sized guy, it can be very diffucult to stop a charge.

Merely step out of the way. This leaves them with forward momentum and sloppy footwork, whereas calmly moving away from them will leave you more in control of the situation. Always try and fight an opponent on your terms, not theirs.

[Sir_Mel]

Shield kicks. I take it from some of your other posts that you happen to be a bigger guy due to your wielding dual reds, use your size to an advantage. Even without a shield to hide behind, through your sword up to block whatever wrap/high cross/lefty chop/etc they throw and plant your foot firmly in the middle of their shield. This may not be for everyone, but if you tend to lean toward the "stand and deliver" style of fighting, it can be quite effective.

[Atari]

This is what my Instructor told me:
What is the most effective way to block a strike?
Answer, dont be there. Like squire said, just move. Why spend the effort blocking whan you can just step aside?

[Orso,]

or just lay them out with a shoulder, maybe they will kill you but they will think about next time

[Sir_Mel]

listen to all of this and apply except when it involves orso.

If given the choice between bashing kenny or bashing orso, definitely do not bash orso, you will get very hurt. Just ask Rune the gangletard about that one, that was pancake block if I've ever seen one.

[Elwrath]

jump. when they within range of bashing you jump to meet there charge...ya you'll get knocked back, and maybe even fall over. But once you get the hang of it you'll get a wicked advantage.

[Drakkar/Hohiro]

I personally prefer the last minute side-step. Using a shield myself, and I do charge with it at times, I always watch for such a possible move from my opponent.

[Dacian]

jump. when they within range of bashing you jump to meet there charge...ya you'll get knocked back, and maybe even fall over. But once you get the hang of it you'll get a wicked advantage.

Drifter...as crazy as this sounds, this is entirely true.

Sometimes you may even want to change up your tactic. The element of surprise is always a good thing.

[Thomas MacFinn]

If it doesn’t matter if the opponent gets past where you are standing, smack his shield while he is charging but before he is close enough to hit you with a hard quick diagonal or horizontal chop (might as well call out “red” while you are at it) as if you are trying to drive it into his sword hand. While swinging, step with your back foot deeply toward his shield side, rotating on your front foot. Immediately after throwing the shot, get your sword in a defensive position for the blow you know is coming and step back with the other foot to restore range. You both end up at a 90 to 180 degree angle to where you started.

If turning your back to the charger’s friends is a problem, you have room to move and he is concentrating on a powerful charge instead of swinging his sword when he gets in range, step hard to the side at the last possible moment and snap your sword down as if missing a down-shot, then snap it back up sideways into his back. This is a rare shot that I haven’t thrown in years but still requires practice to get right.

If you are in a shield wall, protecting archers or otherwise in a place where the charger’s goal is to get past you, get as wide a stance as possible, crouch and throw your left shoulder forward and pull your blade back from a sword-blocking position at the last possible moment to * your sword like a baseball bat then chop both his ankles out from under him.

This last tactic has a suicidal aspect to it because small men rarely try to bowl you over with their shield.

[Thomas MacFinn]

Oh, and if you are considering any of those latter moves I suggested, look out for guys who look like they are trying to bowl you over but stop and throw a wrap shot instead.

[Arrakis]

Amen to that last comment, Tom.

Izareth, that sneaky goblin, came wide around on a team I was on the other day, hard and fast. He convinced me nicely to post up for a bash or a straight fight... and then he shifted momentum slightly to the right and went right around me, ass-wrapping as he went.

Gotta watch them sneaksters.

[jacknife]

Charge! if your light and quick, go past them and get em in the back.
If you are big, bash and wrap shot.

[okita]

I know this is an old thread but I figured it was worth posting.
Anyway, assuming they have a shield, just set your lead leg to the outside of the opponent's shield side foot and recieve the shield with your weapon or shield and cover the sword with yours, or the end of your pole. Do it gently, they shouldn't feel any resistance at all. That'll let them feel that they've got your weight in front of them even if your feet shift a bit. As they pass into your range, pull your hips, and finally your trailing leg out of their way. You can use the rotation that causes to push into the opponent's side with whatever you recieved the attack with. Get your hips into it enough and you've got a good chance of taking their balance or knocking them down, either way, the fight's yours at that point.
The feel is just using your weapons, or even hands as feelers, and at the latest moment turning your hips to push them to the side. If your form's right (meaning good enough to generate enough force to take his balance) the movement should take you out of the path anyway.

'Course an easier one is to just drop forward, take one knee, and let him crash onto the shield or shaft of your pole at about waist height. The shield folds, the player folds, the attack folds, and generally they won't want to do that again.