Topic: Shield types - Normal, Full and Wall

[craggles]

One more question this month! (I have to get my quota in)

I was wondering on the types of shields - specifically, what are they.

In RMFRP, there are 4 types - a Target, Normal, Full and Wall shield.

I's my understanding that the...
* Target Shield is the little one like a buttler shield
* Normal Shield is the round one (similar to Captain America's Shield)
* Full Shield is the sort of pointy 'U' (but not quite a 'V') shape - this is the type of shield that Knights have (and coincidently enough, the shield the knight has on his back in the 'Knight' TP on p139 of RMFRP)
* Wall Shield is the type that the Romans used.

Now I was happy with my understanding until one of my PCs argued that what I called a Normal and a Full shield are actually the same - they're just different shapes but the same overall size so wouldn't give extra cover.

If he's correct, we couldn?t decide what a 'Full' Shield was in it's place.

What is the official answer?

Thanks.

[Rasyr-Mjolnir]

If you look on the equipment tables, the biggest difference between the type of shields is their weight and their bonuses to DB.

I don't think that the shape really matters that much.

[craggles]

 I was just thinking for the sake of character portraits mainly.

[Skarsgard]

Shapes not an issue.

The spartan hoplite shield from "300" would count as full shields, same way as a kite shield would.

[craggles]

Excellent - thanks

Like I said, it's the important part of roleplaying - the character portraits.

[Michael Petrea]

I would gather the size distinctions from this site.  Maybe Targe and Heater = Normal; Kite = Full.
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/medieval-shields.htm

With that in mind you can look through this page for descriptions of many shield types and pictures of each:
http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_shield.html

Here are pictures of Pavises (Wall) shields:
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=2711

Miscellaneous Shields for inspiration:
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=14556
http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=8485

[craggles]

Excellent - Thanks! Lots of great inspiration.

[Fenrhyl Wulfson]

If you read french, I wrote this as part of a modification of RM combat rules :

http://khronographe.net/bouclier.php

I'd like to translate it into english and propose it for a RM quarterly but I've been sick repeatedly over the last months. I hope to do it soon.

[Michael Petrea]

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fkhronographe.net%2Fbouclier.php&lp=fr_en&btnTrUrl=Translate


Go Go Gadget Babelfish!

Of course it needs some cleanup but this gives you the basic read. I might clean it up if I get inspired.

[providence13]

OK, this is how my players think that they can do something.

"See, it's in the artwork", they'll say!
I remember a game that didn't allow dual weapons and a beautifully drawn person holding 2 weapons in the margin of the rules. (MegaTraveller, I think.)

Be careful with this! The players will want it to be just like in the picture.

[Michael Petrea]

Nice, tell them that anyone can hold a weapon in each hand but it is completely different from actually being able to fight that way 

Unless of course the drawing showed them fighting as well. DOH!

[markc]

 Just tell them that it is the new prototype Photoshop and it is not real. Or have them show you how they would do it in real life. So yes you have to buy the weapons, armor, pack, maybe gold, etc and then run around a fight for about 20 min. Then as I am a very nice GM they can have it.

MDC
Edit: Well that is if your game has some foothold in reality.
MDC

[craggles]

Be careful with this! The players will want it to be just like in the picture.

That's exactly why I'm wanting to know specifically the shield types so I can draw the character portraits - I want to get the facts right before I draw them then there'll be no more tears before bedtime.

[markc]

Craggles;
 You can always have your girls carry weights to represent the weight of a shield. IMO you should scale it down to thier size by using a little math but in the end IMO life will be better.
 Also after your lecture you can take the girls down to the museum and take a look at the arms and armor display. [Hopefully your museums have free days like most of the museums do here in the USA so it does not cost you any $]

MDC

[Fenrhyl Wulfson]

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fkhronographe.net%2Fbouclier.php&lp=fr_en&btnTrUrl=Translate


Go Go Gadget Babelfish!

Of course it needs some cleanup but this gives you the basic read. I might clean it up if I get inspired.

I am impressed. I mean, some parts may be read straigt away without any need for cleaning the mess.

I'll add some pictures soon. So craggles will have some references to pick from.