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Hello,

Is it true that certain ranks can only use certain shields? Where can I find information about this?

Yes. As it stands the junior ranks are allowed to use the standard black metal shields. While the dragoons for example may use chaos shields.

Grenadiers use Heater Shadow iron shields, and Scouts if permitted can use Bucklers shadow iron colour

Scouts are not allowed to use shields.

Why can't scouts use sheilds? I haven't seen anywhere that says they can't...

Surely a fencer scout could weld a shield, its a primitive armour and anyone can pick up a shield. What would stop a scout from using one?

The shield thing isn't an actual rule for now, more like a unwritten one. Valiro used a buckler for when he was doing fencing matches but thats about it. I think until its been proper decided between me and the guys upstairs ( ;D) that shields including bucklers shouldn't be used for Scouts, this doesn't stop the recruits using them though.

Alright, but why wouldn't they be allowed to use a shield?

Its awkward I guess. Walking unseen with a shadow, also would get in the way, need at least one free arm -really-.

And I reckon it defeats the point of the Scouts being light armoured, free to move and so on.

Yea deffo what Jack said too.

Not quite true, scouts generally function as skirmishers.
Skirmishers are almost always equiped with a shield, albeit a small one such as a buckler.

However, in UO it's also about game mechanics and template balances and with that said the shield parry bonus should be reserved for (heavy) infantry only. Apart from that a scout should not even have room in his or her template to take up parrying!
*rants about how real scouts should have tracking*

Swordsmanship / Parry / Tactics / Healing / Anatomy / Focus = infantry template
+ chivalry / bushido = heavy infantry template

Hiding / Stealth / Tracking / Detect hidden = ranger (scout) template
(even if you just have 50 tracking / detect hidden)

Hiding / Stealth + infantry template = assassin template (NOT SCOUT!)

Anyway, I have given up on this a long time about... around the same time I gave up on the fact that people from Yew are YEWANS and NOT YEWISH!

I don't see how light wooden shield strapped properly on back would hinderer movment more than 150cm tall bow. Moving unseen in forrest isn't realy what you think, i assume. It's more of angles compared to others than items. And most important thing is to break head-shoulder line, where shield would actualy help it... anyways it's from real life, this is game so I don't care...

150 cm tall bow?! YOU PANSIES. Always had my doubts about you guys in tight-fitting leather armour. YMCA indeed.

Scouts would use short bows then for it to make more sense.

I don't know how small you think bows are but... 150cm bow ain't big one...

Why not use crossbows?
(am I the only one who was thinking this?)