A new look at shields

[LordGhee]

Re: A new look at shields

 

snice I allow shields to be active Dcv or passive (a wall) I used to charge endurance for active use. in my new campain this will be modified a little bit.

[Duke Bushido]

Re: A new look at shields

 

Let me begin by saying that there is nothing I love like a good pedant-fight.

And let me just add that never before had I ever realized that shield-geeks were so damned C:cool::cool:L! That was some great reading, guys! Thanks!

[Alibear]

Re: A new look at shields

 

Shields cost end anyway - they add to your overall encumberance. Or do you mean charging a specific end cost on top of that?

[LordGhee]

Re: A new look at shields

 

In the 1st ed of Fantasy Hero shields had a strenght mimium, so that ment to me twenty years ago that it cost that endurance to use. My players Baulked and the compromise was miuimim of one and half str cost to use. (two weapons use cost double right?) In my game even through shields cost endurance to use active the fact that you could set it on top of your grieve (boot top or knee) and rest with a wall covering 14 thru 6 (medium) toward the bad guys was very handy.

 

From experince if you are using the shield it dose not add encumberance (tricky here).

so in my game they did not add weight for dex negatives. (now slung they did)

[Markdoc]

Re: A new look at shields

 

Shields cost end anyway - they add to your overall encumberance. Or do you mean charging a specific end cost on top of that?

 

I think he meant on top of that. Actually using a shield *is* tiring and your arms starts to ache something awful after a while. We've talked about doing it, but never actually tried it. I think the feeling was that it was simply one more thing to keep track of and we didn't need it. If you wnateda more swashbuckling game where you wanted big shields to be less attractive, then it's an idea to consider, though.

 

cheers, Mark

[Krieghandt]

Re: A new look at shields

 

I find weilding a properly balanced (key word there) sheild to be less tiring than swinging a weapon. Center grip sheilds are harder on the lower arm and biceps, but with pratice arent that bad. I wouldnt want to weild the ancient greek sheilds tho. One thing no one mentions, is the majority of fighting manuals use the sheild as a bashing weapon. This may also be another reason for metal rim linings. Bucklers are especially used in this manner. To resolve the DCV/PD issue, I rebuilt the to hit tables. The ones in the book are for shooting someone, not trying to get around a sheild. But having 5 or 6 to hit tables is getting awfully close to "ChartMaster".

Krieghandt

[prestidigitator]

Re: A new look at shields

 

Eh. They are already typically built with a Str Min. So you have to use at least that much Str in any Phase you wish to take advantage of them. Close enough.

[Curufea]

Re: A new look at shields

 

I find the diagonal holding of straps on a kite shield to be the least tiring type to hold.

[LordGhee]

Re: A new look at shields

 

I liked straight straps on a large bowl shield.

 

you could hold it like a diagonal kite or let the edge rest on your Knee (greave ) or the inside top edge rest on your shoulder top.

 

The romans with the large square shields held by the boss must have had get guns (arms)

[LordGhee]

Re: A new look at shields

 

thats great guns (arms)

[Bismark]

Re: A new look at shields

 

The semi-cylindrical Roman shield with the single-handed grip was made of leather-covered plywood, so is not as heavy as you would think.

 

The later oval ones made out of leather-covered solid planking had both hand- and arm- grip (I wonder why? ).

 

There were Late Roman shields with the more solid construction and single-handed 'punch' grip, but they were rather smaller (about the size of a Viking shield) - usually issued to big hulking German Auxilia - or bucklers (issued to some cavalry and infantry skirmishers/archers).

 

My favourites are the Ottoman Turkish 'siege shields' - about Viking shield size, but solid iron (oddly enough, they did NOT have a 'punch grip').

[Curufea]

Re: A new look at shields

 

Ah, but kites are long enough to rest on your knee as well - and are great against spears because they cover the leg quite well and can easily be twisted to the side.