Shields and ranged

[Rumblood]

So always and forever there is the call and return of "Get a shield!" and "Shields don't help!"

I'd like to consider a change. It would require a rebalance of upkeep, slots and probably weight for shielders, but I think that it could be a positive change.

The basic premise would be to make shields 100% effective (for the life of the shield) against ranged attacks from both the front and the back. They should not be a complete turtle shell, however, and so they should be exposed on the sides in the 80-100 degree arc. i.e., perpendicular +/- 10 degrees. This would give the shielder a total of 320 degrees of coverage against ranged items.

The one item I do not know is whether it can be coded (or should be coded) to allow melee attacks to get through the shield on the back.

To be clear, you would have to have 2 shields for this benefit, one equipped in front, the other worn on the back.

Also to add further clarification, force field would NOT work in those two 20 degree arcs of non-coverage.

[Nightmare798]

wh...whaaaa?

[Legs]

Shields shouldn't be a no-skill force field bubble around the player. Having protection limited to the shield itself is realistic and adds depth to the class. Similarly, being able to shoot bits that aren't properly shielded adds depth to ranged play. If you're having trouble, try actually moving your shield in front of the missile instead of just holding it up and expecting it to block automatically. If that's too hard, consider getting a bigger shield.

This is not really related to the thread topic, but in my opinion shields should be a little less durable since they're practically unbreakable unless you're using a weapon with bonus vs. shields. They should also be lighter and faster with a noticeable speed increase with shield skill.

[Nightmare798]

Shields shouldn't be a no-skill force field bubble around the player. Having protection limited to the shield itself is realistic and adds depth to the class. Similarly, being able to shoot bits that aren't properly shielded adds depth to ranged play. If you're having trouble, try actually moving your shield in front of the missile instead of just holding it up and expecting it to block automatically. If that's too hard, consider getting a bigger shield.

This is not really related to the thread topic, but in my opinion shields should be a little less durable since they're practically unbreakable unless you're using a weapon with bonus vs. shields. They should also be lighter and faster with a noticeable speed increase with shield skill.

imo forcefield is as of now fine, i do not agree with this idea and i am shielder. however, making shield block only blows only on its surface would make this game realistic, but it would also make archers incredibly overpowered [doubly so with recent buff].

also while it is true that they are durable to arrows and bolts, swords are able to beat in time, and axes just plain destroy them [which is why i think that axes should recieve nerf on speed]

[Adamar]

Change shields so that the forcefield doesn't couver more than the shield itself.

but it would also make archers incredibly overpowered [doubly so with recent buff].

Archers are still underpowered what that fucking movement nerf. Goddamit people!

[Nightmare798]

Change shields so that the forcefield doesn't couver more than the shield itself.

Archers are still underpowered what that fucking movement nerf. Goddamit people!

you attack at range and can two hit a guy in chain mail.

WHAT MORE WOULD YOU FUCKING WANT?

[Adamar]

you attack at range and can two hit a guy in chain mail.

WHAT MORE WOULD YOU FUCKING WANT?

To be able to fight, and not be tied down every time some skilless spammer comes at me! It's way too easy to kill an archer as it is!

[Nightmare798]

To be able to fight, and not be tied down every time some skilless spammer comes at me! It's way too easy to kill an archer as it is!

as far as i know parrying and attacking is not related to movement speed. position yourself near other players or get some blocking skillz.

[Rumblood]

Shields shouldn't be a no-skill force field bubble around the player. Having protection limited to the shield itself is realistic and adds depth to the class. Similarly, being able to shoot bits that aren't properly shielded adds depth to ranged play. If you're having trouble, try actually moving your shield in front of the missile instead of just holding it up and expecting it to block automatically. If that's too hard, consider getting a bigger shield.

I'M A HORSE ARCHER.........

[Miwiw]

There are already too many shielders.

[Rumblood]

There are already too many shielders.

There are never too many of any class, just too many players willing to complain about a class.

[Kafein]

Shields shouldn't be a no-skill force field bubble thing around the player.

They already are. Timing your blocks and facing one archer is trivial. Doing the same thing reliably with two archers that were gifted with a brain is impossible. Now you might say, shielders should turn their shields when the shots are fired. Problem though, arrows move much too fast for that.

On topic, I believe this suggestion is exaggerated. Reverting the "force fields" back to the way they used to be like two years ago would be a nice thing though. First reason would be to fix the all too frequent shots that simply go through the sides of the shield models, second would be to make shields actually worthwhile against range, like OP said. More importantly IMO, missile speed should be lowered to introduce some element of skill.

There are already too many shielders.

Yes, I can still see one or two behind the hordes of 2h when I squint

[Mala]

There are already too many shielders.

because there are too many archers.

[San]

Shielders should just be able to chase archers easier. A tweak to shield weight or a sprint mode when holding block would be possible fixes.

It isn't too difficult to block against multiple archers that are mostly in front of you. If you get surrounded, it becomes very difficult but not impossible.

[Rumblood]

Doesn't seem such a popular suggestion on the poll, though I've seen them turn around with a statistically significant polling size. I still think the idea has some merit given various tweaks to address specific concerns (which thus far I have not actually seen, besides just a general "I don't like it")

To those who decided to minus despite a poll being available to relay your opinion, I can only say that at least I am attempting to come up with modifications that address players grievances with a balancing feature (and perhaps some are considering this a buff), rather than simply telling the other class to fuck off and die, or create yet another "nerf this class" thread.