Shield rules

[Faden]

Hello,

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

[Jack Sinist (•̪●)]

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.

[userjosh5368]

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

[Jack Sinist (•̪●)]

Scouts are not allowed to use shields.

[Amy Marsteller]

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

[Faden]

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?

[Mela Arkay]

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 ( ) that shields including bucklers shouldn't be used for Scouts, this doesn't stop the recruits using them though.

[Amy Marsteller]

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

[Mela Arkay]

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

[Jack Sinist (•̪●)]

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

[Mela Arkay]

Yea deffo what Jack said too.

[Moraine DiGoraz]

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!

[Dalamar]

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...

[Khaelieth]

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.

[Jack Sinist (•̪●)]

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