how exactly do shields work

[Rhekimos]

Unless I am presented with cmp evidence, I can't believe that. The difference between round and rectangular shields especially at high shield skill is like night and day for both melee and ranged coverage.

Cmp saying this in IRC is what prompted us to test it. I too had thought that it was the other way around, but I can't help but to believe my own eyes.

[Ronin]

Kinngrimm has 11 athletics and 11 shieldskill.

[Shemaforash]

AFAIK it does actually increase melee forcefield

[Ronin]

Yes it is very obvious it has an influence on sides.

[cmp]

Shield blocking melee works exactly like weapon blocking, except it automatically uses the matching block values (i.e. left block if the opponent uses a right swing). Shield skill or size make no difference whatsoever.

[Lactose_the_intolerant]

I also witnessed something weird.

I got myself 3 shieldskill and a green normal shield. I put myself in a shieldwall giving me +4 so a total of 7 shield skill. Nonetheless Xbow bolts went through the bottom of my unscratched shield hitting me for little damage and no damage to the shield

[Miwiw]

At least in native some shields are easily pierced by the siege crossbow. Maybe the same happened here?

[Korgoth]

I also witnessed something weird.

I got myself 3 shieldskill and a green normal shield. I put myself in a shieldwall giving me +4 so a total of 7 shield skill. Nonetheless Xbow bolts went through the bottom of my unscratched shield hitting me for little damage and no damage to the shield

Thats most probably because of the shit resistance. To stop xbow bolts you need atleast 20 I think.