1.6.0 Client Release

[Narvad]

by open maps i meant actually meant any fighting that isnt slashing like kiting and stuff
normally we see a lot of inf and crossbowmen so pikeman shielding is kinda meh, the class needs something more than that.

im saying marauders would be pointless if hoplites have higher dps with op polearms behind cades

t4 pikeman isnt fast enough to melee kite anything other than normal mode so if there speed balance was used which it seems it wont, it needs whatever speed it can get.
the penalty with long polearms can be countered with ^ anyway, and if you're fast enough 300 reach + shield can work just as well as i can backpeddle with sarissa and switch to shorter weapon when they get closer. only difference is itll be with a shield.

If you want to kite, probably better pick up another class.
I'm pretty sure there's no class that can "melee kite" bots. You can try with jormunganrd(marketplace pike maybe) + red shirt. But i can already tell you that your hits will be blocked(since you need to get bots close, so they will lock their weapon getting ready to hit), and bots gonna chase you at the same moment. You can hit one, but the second will strike in your back anyway.
Even if you hide weapon, the act of hiding probably decreases speed even more.
Shield is works against numbered opponents or against projectiles. If you get at least 2 bots on you, you can't melee kite. If you turn back running away, you can't catch projectiles(mostly).
Shield on back doesn't protects from projectiles, but adds some bonus armour to yours.

Hoplite gives opportunity to change pikeman gameplay. While you want another marauder with shield and ultraspeed speed so bots will never catch you.