protection and shields

[tinkthank]

I have read two conflicting pieces of information, and would like to know if anyone can tell me (where to find) conclusive evidence in favor of one or the other:

a. shields add their protection value to the total protection value of a unit, but have no other relevant effects (besides fatigue, etc.)
b. shields add their protection value to the total protection value of a unit AND they may be able to help deflect incoming arrows (if so: how many %) AND their protection value may be ignored (if so: what % chance??) by the use of flails or morningstars

Which is true?
thanks much

[st.patrik]

well I don't know about 'conclusive evidence' but the latter is a lot closer to the truth than the former. I don't remember the exact formula off the top of my head for how shields function re. missiles, but I know they help, and that the relevant stat is the defense bonus they give. Similarly I'm not sure exactly what the effect is with flails/morning stars, but I know there is one.

[I keep meaning to write down all these formulas, but never seem to get around to it - anyone want to volunteer to put together a 'formula reference sheet'?]

[ April 14, 2004, 13:37: Message edited by: st.patrik ]

[Graeme Dice]

Neither of the two things there were correct. Shields add their protection to the unit at all times. Against missiles, they add their defense bonus to the roll that allows a unit to avoid a missile. Against morningstars the defense bonus from a shield is ignored.

[tinkthank]

Thank you.

Mr. Dice: I hear for the first time that there is a roll which allows a unit to avoid being hit by missiles. I was informed that the "defense" value is applied solely for the purpose of avoiding melee hits. Which roll is this to which the shield defense value is applied? And from whence are you getting your excellent information?

(ooops sorry, posted twice)

[ April 14, 2004, 14:09: Message edited by: Sunray_be ]

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:
Shields add their protection to the unit at all times.

Only exception I know : shield defence is not used against trample attacks.
Cheers

Originally posted by tinkthank:
And from whence are you getting your excellent information?

This was a message from Kristoffer O.

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...=000578#000003

When a square is hit by a missile there is a roll to see if someone is hit. Basically there is a 10+(2d6) vs. 10+(2d6)+(shield def) roll if the missile hits the square.

Cheers

[tinkthank]

Originally posted by Sunray_be:

quote:

---

Originally posted by tinkthank:
And from whence are you getting your excellent information?

This was a message from Kristoffer O.

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/cgi-bin...=000578#000003

When a square is hit by a missile there is a roll to see if someone is hit. Basically there is a 10+(2d6) vs. 10+(2d6)+(shield def) roll if the missile hits the square.

Cheers

---

Yes, thank you, I remember that. Yet I was under the (obviously: mistaken) impression that this information pertained only to missiles hitting a "square", such with single-square AoE spells. I thought (wrongly??) that arrows were not missiles of this type; that arrows targeted individual units, not squares.
Is what you are saying: Arrows target squares, not units -- and any unit may or may not be hit if present in that square? (I presume: first determine if it "hits" a, b or c if 3 present in square, subsequently do that above-mentioned defense roll.)
Or have I got it all wrong yet again??
sorry and thank you

[Taqwus]

I wonder if shields actually should be useful against, say, unusually powerful projectiles. Hurled boulders, Gifts from Heaven (do shields affect counter projectiles? Hm.), even castle ballistae shots perhaps should not be readily blocked by a shield. Or perhaps give a deflection possibility, but also a chance of crippling based on target's strength or hp.
Another bit is that perhaps large shields should confer some benefit to others in the same square. In the ancient world, weren't there soldiers who carried extra-large shields to protect archers or crossbowmen? Perhaps among the current shields only tower shields should confer any significant co-occupant bonus whatsoever, but *shrug* it might make sense.

[Graeme Dice]

Originally posted by Taqwus:
Gifts from Heaven (do shields affect counter projectiles?

That's a spell, not a missile, so it always hits something in the square it lands in.