Shotels and the Power they Possess

I almost exclusively use Shotel so I suppose I would be interested in this too. I'll post back with what I find.

Use them normal so that they just go through physical defense. Maybe they calculate shield defense too.

Are you using the strong attack? Only R2s go through shields. Sounds to me like you're using R1 and getting occasional dead-angles, and the rest of the time you're hitting the shield!

So only R2s go through shields, and they take a lot of stamina. Pressing R2 twice does a combo, and each second hit takes even more stamina. Even with very high stamina, I don't think you can get more than 3-4 R2s off before your entire bar is depleted. 3-4 isn't many, because the shotel is not a strong weapon, and it's reach is pretty bad. It's got a decent swing arc, so you can hit a strafing opponent well, but if they're back-pedaling, the shotel's short reach can become an issue.

Other than bypassing shields, it's a rather average weapon. Pretty low damage, pretty bad reach. Its moveset is decent (running-R1 is alright for getting a bit extra range out of the weapon, but doesn't go through shields), but really I don't think it's worth putting up with this weapon unless you intend solely on going through shields. To take advantage of this weapon's special shield-bypassing attribute, then, you have to limit yourself to its R2 attacks, and they've got little range and take a lot of stamina. But, worse than that, it makes you predictable, which means you can get parried. Go to town against people wielding shields that can't parry, but be careful against those who can.

Recommended uses: in your second right hand slot, pull it out once in a while as a surprise against turtles. Best use for this would be on a SL120 Dex toon, upgraded to +14/+15. Or use it elemental, on a low level toon. Since the shotel is a low damage weapon, the best way to take advantage of it is to use it against low Vit opponents. Other than for trolling as an invader or for a few surprise hits, though, I wouldn't rely on it.

This ^

I love the shotel, but it's so easy to parry. I mainly just have one in stock for greatshield users.

I think it bypasses as long as you have enough DEX to wield it.

ON the other hand, they aren't very good. I use them for invasions, but in duels if you see someone with a shotel you can just switch out to pretty much any weapon, since it has one of the lowest ARs, and the strong attack of the shotel takes enough time to easily counter is a larger weapon.

Meaning you'll trade blows to death.

I used shotels for a while... they are useful... but insanely predictable.
As a rapier user, i get this weapon pulled on me at least once every hours, and it's got a rediculously large parry box. I've got about 2 or 3 seconds during which if i parry, i'll get it... only it's R2 does it, and that attack is very predictable.

Your best bet is to buff it (sun light blade especially) and then 2 hand it. Do 2 or 3 R1's, then an R2. If they are a turtle, then just go straight to the R2's unless they have parried before.

It's 2 handed R2 has deceitful range.

Shotel in right hand and pyro flame in the other can make some greatshield turtles weep.

the only good thing is for is for turtles that use greatshields, other wise its meh and really easy to parry.

@lordgod

Happy to help!