[HoE] Shields in combat in HOE

[Michael Huggins <mhuggins@freenet.columbus.oh.us>]

  I asked this question informally earlier, but now I want to make it a 
formal rules question:

  How does a shield work in HOE?  I'm talking a classic "gotta block
the sword blow" shield.

  Is it armor?  Is it partial armor that protects the upper body? One
of my players is putting together a Templar.  He and I poured through
HOE,WW,the rad screen, and we can't find anything.
  My thoughts were to treat it as a barrier that interfers with an attack
on a percentage basis.  (Stops the blow,bullet,claw,etc on a 1 on a 
6-sided die) Poor example I know, but you get my drift.

  Official ideas anyone?  Personal opinions also welcome.  Since in HOE
bullets are the same as cash I plan on running my campaign with a large
amount of hand-to-hand combat.    Bullets will be a big reward, something
to keep the BIG nasties at a distance.

Happy HOEing everyone,

Mike Huggins