Originally Posted by maskedmelon

I'd parse the mit loss from dropping the shield as well as the melee damage output.

Originally Posted by maskedmelon (Post 1843227)

Haste is fantastic, but of lower efficacy for knights due to spells. Optimally, you'll cast between swings. For that reason slower (2h) weapons can prove beneficial. There is a patch sometime in velious which increases 2h weapon damage as well, so I wouldn't say it is a fruitless endeavor, you just have to weigh the advantages or the current marginal dps increase + potentially reduced delayed/missed swings due to more successful weaving vs the stat loss ^^

I'd parse the mit loss from dropping the shield as well as the melee damage output. For aggro actual output doesn't matter because you receive aggro for misses as well as hits at a rate equal to two times weapon damage plus primary hand modifier iiirc. Since 2h don't get much more of a modifier than 1h currently (will change in velious), the 1h will generally be more attractive assuming same/similar ratios. The noct ratio is a bit worse than the GJB though iirc.

Originally Posted by Ezalor (Post 1843317)

you don't need to parse anything. it's pretty simple. unless you have your epic, always use a shield in groups, period. the ac on a shield is handled differently than the ac on any other item in eq. when you equip a shield in the secondary slot you get ALL the ac from it (look up how shield ac works). you also get +50 HP on atra shield iirc plus to make cheals more efficient plus some good mana and resists to help tank casters + bash for small races.

tldr; use a shield