Arrows vs shields in dom2 and dom3

[Tyrant]

Thanks for the analysis.

M- AE spells always hit, but flame bolt is single target, not single square. No idea if shields work for that.

[Fate]

I have no idea about shields for spells, but the manual refers to magical attacks in the ranged section. I would therefore assume that the targeting -if not the complete equations- apply. It does seem weird, though.

[curtadams]

No specific numbers, but I noticed a bank of magma bolters were absolutely miserable shots. I had 4 Magi, Aimed to precision 16, and I was lucky if they scored 4 hits on fairly tight formations in 4 rounds of shooting. I remember Magma Bolt being far more effective in Dom2. This was against militia too, so even without shield there are problems.

[Corwin]

I assume the shield works the same way for all missiles, including crossbows, javelins, etc.
Which in some cases doesn't make much sense, IMHO.

For example. let's say the gaint has trown the boulder into the Ermor's undead legionarie. Legionare has 5 HP and tower shiled. Instead of being smashed to fine bone dust by the force of impact, according to above formula the legionare have 97% chance of avoiding any damage from huge boulder thrown by giant due to legionare's tower shield.


Also what about magical missile-style attacks? Like Yomi's "thrown flame"? Is it also calaculated the same way as arrows? (plus 2 to hit perhaps for being magical)

[PDF]

Corwin said:
I assume the shield works the same way for all missiles, including crossbows, javelins, etc.
Which in some cases doesn't make much sense, IMHO.

For example. let's say the gaint has trown the boulder into the Ermor's undead legionarie. Legionare has 5 HP and tower shiled. Instead of being smashed to fine bone dust by the force of impact, according to above formula the legionare have 97% chance of avoiding any damage from huge boulder thrown by giant due to legionare's tower shield.


Also what about magical missile-style attacks? Like Yomi's "thrown flame"? Is it also calaculated the same way as arrows? (plus 2 to hit perhaps for being magical)

Yes, there's something wrong here...In melee, if a shield parries it only adds its parry value to the wielder's prot, it doesn't "stop" the hit altogether.
It should be the same with missiles, else indeed if a puny small shield can "stop" a meteorite, it's funky !

[Endoperez]

It does seem strange. There are a bunch or armor-negating bows in there (Storm Bow, Vision's Foe, Ethereal Crossbow), and unless the #flail weapon ability also happens to work for missiles, shields will protect against those...