Shields are defensive weapons used to protect their wielders from enemy attack. They are considered a type of Armor in this system but do not follow the normal rules for armor.
Instead of an AR, shields have a Block Rating (BR), which reflects a combination of the shield’s coverage and toughness. If a character blocks an attack with a shield, then the attacker rolls damage with the attacking weapon. If the damage result is less than or equal to the shield’s BR, nothing happens. If the damage result exceeds the shield’s BR, then the character takes that damage on their shield arm. Shields count their BR as being half as much (round up) against attacks that deal magic damage unless they have a unique BR listed for magical attacks.
This reflects the way that, while a shield can protect its user from harm, using a shield to block repeated heavy hits can quickly drain a defender’s energy even if they are still able to avoid direct harm. Eventually they will find themselves tiring and unable to maintain their defense.
Buckler
All shields can be purchased as a buckler instead. Bucklers are 1 Weight Class lower than a normal shield of their type, have 1 lower ENC, and cost 25% less. Bucklers can not Block (Reaction). Instead, they add an extra degree of success to all successful Parry (Reaction) tests. Additionally, when the defender wins an opposed Parry test they always gain Advantage, but they must pay the AP cost if picking the Special Action Advantage.
Targe
All shields can be purchased as a targe instead. Targes are 1 weight class lower than normal Shields of their type and cost 25% less. Targes halve their BR (rounding up) and count as a free hand, but only for wielding Small weapons or when grappling.
Tower Shield
All shields can be purchased as a tower shield instead. Tower shields are 1 weight class heavier (to a maximum of Super-Heavy (4)) than a normal shield of their type, have 1 higher ENC, and cost 25% more. Tower shields grant the wielder a +10 bonus to tests made to block attacks, but carrying one reduces a character’s Speed by 1.
Shields
Shields are defined by their shield type and their material as defined in 4.4.1.1 Armor Materials. Use the table below combined with the AR and other material values to define your shield.
* Padded material cannot be used to make a shield.
| Type | BR | Magic BR | Weight Class Modifier | Qualities | ENC Modifier | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shield | +4 | +2 | -1 | Normal shield | -1 | 200 |
| Buckler | +4 | +2 | -2 | Can’t Block, +1 DoS to successful Parry (Reaction) tests. | -2 | 150 |
| Targe | 0.5x Shield | 0.5x Shield | -2 | Counts as free hand for grappling or wielding Small weapons. | -2 | 150 |
| Tower Shield | +4 | +2 | -1 | +10 bonus to Block (Reaction) tests, -1 Speed | -1 | 250 |