Is it me or do Boots of the Behemoth negate the Frost/Fire Brand AE? Whenever I use the boots my SCs don't swing their sword, they just knock everything around, so the AE never goes off.
Yes, units with trample will trample anything smaller than themselves instead of using their weapons. Weapons will still be used on targets of the same size or larger.
That's why he suggested the possibility of 2 shields and no weapon if you use the boots.