Hey, I would like to ask if, as said in page 85 of the rulebook, there's no change in DB except for cover and special bonuses.
Actually, what it says is that
most won't change. This means that there is always a chance that a certain special circumstance could alter things.
This allows for pre-determining a character's "normal" DB for most encounters.
How is the positional use of the shield treated? Is there any penalty aside from that static -20? If this was supposed to break the shield bonus, it wouldn't when attacking a shield-trained fighter using a +40 DB shield :|
The first thing to realize is that in HARP, your character is considered to be moving at all times in combat, not standing there like a lump.
![Grin ;D](https://ironcrown.co.uk/ICEforums/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
What this means is that your character will almost always be working to make sure that his shield is between him and his foe. And if the character has Shield Training, then he is even better at it. That is one of the general premises.
Where are you getting that "static -20" number from? I cannot think, off the top of my head, what you are referring to there.
Also, when stunned you parry at 50%. Does this mean you MUST parry with your whole DB (including shield) plus half of your OB every time?
First off, Parrying refers to moving points from OB to DB. It does affect any where any other part of your DB comes from.
Secondly, unless it says "Must Parry", it means that you are ALLOWED to Parry
if you want (even though you cannot make an attack, and parrying is usually considered to be part of the attack action) with a maximum of 50% of your OB. So, if your character had an OB of 60 normally, and he is stunned, he could move 30 points (50% of 60) to DB for the purpose of Parrying (being stunned, he isn't allowed to make any attack at all).
As for "whole DB (including shield)", the character receives his full DB against attacks in almost all circumstances (There will be occasional situations where some or all of a character's DB is negated, but that is the exception, not the rule). However, I do not see a reason why any character would not want to use his full DB - which is what this last question kinda implies.