Are (non-unique) shields ever worth it?

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  • Orrus
    Scout
    • Mar 2008
    • 26
    #1

    Are (non-unique) shields ever worth it?

    Are shields ever really worth it? Since there is no block mechanic, all a shield does is add a measly amount of AC. This hardly seems worth the trade off versus 2h-ing or specializing in dual wield. I could see a shield of reflection, or of resist, or a unique being a good alternative to get some extra stats, but what about in early game?

    Also, I'm surprised I haven't seen any variants with a shield based class, or more involved block mechanics.

    What are people's thoughts on shields?
    Tags: block, shield
    • Derakon
      Prophet
      • Dec 2009
      • 9022
      #2
      Um, I'm guessing you aren't actually talking about Vanilla; are you playing PosChengband?

      In Vanilla, shields of Resistance or Elvenkind often come in handy, and there's no dual-wielding or option to wield your weapon with two hands.

        Comment

        • Orrus
          Scout
          • Mar 2008
          • 26
          #3
          Oh whoops, guess I'll move this post to the variants forum.

            Comment

            • Nick
              Vanilla maintainer
              • Apr 2007
              • 9647
              #4
              Originally posted by Orrus
              Also, I'm surprised I haven't seen any variants with a shield based class, or more involved block mechanics.

              What are people's thoughts on shields?
              O/FA have shield bashing, where the player sometimes gets a shield bash in melee, depending on stuff like class, stats and weight of shield. Also Neoband has a Shieldmaiden class, although I don't know what they actually do with shields.

              IIRC Sil does stuff with shields too.
              One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
              In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

                Comment

                • MattB
                  Veteran
                  • Mar 2013
                  • 1214
                  #5
                  Originally posted by Nick
                  Neoband has a Shieldmaiden class, although I don't know what they actually do with shields.
                  It's probably best not to ask - you know how maidens are...

                    Comment

                    • Ingwe Ingweron
                      Veteran
                      • Jan 2009
                      • 2129
                      #6
                      As far as Vanilla shields go, I find Shields of Preservation quite useful and am (was before ego squelching in 4.0, at least once bugs are worked out) chagrined that they aren't classified "Splendid".
                      “We're more of the love, blood, and rhetoric school. Well, we can do you blood and love without the rhetoric, and we can do you blood and rhetoric without the love, and we can do you all three concurrent or consecutive. But we can't give you love and rhetoric without the blood. Blood is compulsory. They're all blood, you see.”
                      ― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

                        Comment

                        • Timo Pietilä
                          Prophet
                          • Apr 2007
                          • 4096
                          #7
                          Originally posted by MattB
                          It's probably best not to ask - you know how maidens are...
                          All black and brown and covered in hair?

                            Comment

                            • Rydel
                              Apprentice
                              • Jul 2008
                              • 89
                              #8
                              Originally posted by Orrus
                              Also, I'm surprised I haven't seen any variants with a shield based class, or more involved block mechanics.
                              Poschengband's Weapon Master can focus on shields, gaining a shield bash, the ability to treat their weapon as two-handed while using a shield, reflection, large melee damage reduction, and activated invulnerability.
                              I'm trying to think of an analogy, and the best I can come up with is Angband is like fishing for sharks, and Sil is like hunting a bear with a pocket knife and a pair of chopsticks. It's not great. -Nick

                                Comment

                                • Orrus
                                  Scout
                                  • Mar 2008
                                  • 26
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by Rydel
                                  Poschengband's Weapon Master can focus on shields, gaining a shield bash, the ability to treat their weapon as two-handed while using a shield, reflection, large melee damage reduction, and activated invulnerability.
                                  Wow that sounds awesome, I'll give it a try!

                                    Comment

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