[HoE] Shields

[Sean Gore <sgore@midlink.com>]

This is the system I use when (if) a shield ever really enters into
play.  They are cumbersome, obscuring, intrusive, and unweildy.
Wonderful in the days of swords and maces, next to worthless against
firearms, therefore too many setbacks to make them worthwhile.  Besides,
all that raw material is generally put to better use.  BUT, if you do
need a shield, here:

Shields
Requires fightin' concentration.  May be used passively or actively.
Passive use provides a flat defensive bonus, in addition to any provided
by other melee weapons.  This should be available only for front or
shield-side attacks.  Active use provides the shield's armor rating
against the attack.  The defender gets to add the shield's DB to his
fightin' total for determination of a successful block.   An active use
requires the defender get a raise over the attacker's total and acts as
a vamoosin' action.  If used actively, they take one point of damage for
every point that gets through to affect their user.  Every loss of
durability lowers the DB by one (to a minimum of 0).  Yes, that means
bucklers and small shields get trashed quickly.

Shield (DB, AV, Dur, Cost)
Buckler (-, 1, 5/1, $30)
Small/Round Wood (+1, 1, 8/1, $40)
Small/Round Metal  (+1, 2, 11/2, $60)
Medium/Kite Wood  (+2, 1, 14/3, $80)
Medium/Kite Metal  (+2, 2, 17/4, $120)
Large/Tower Wood  (+3, 1, 20/4, $160)
Large/Tower Metal  (+3, 2, 23/5, $240)
Riot Shield    (+3, 3, 26/6, $480)

Hope that helps.

Mojo JoJo