Steve Jackson Games Forums - [MA] Shield Techniques

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Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

Shield Rush does seem different enough that it would be similar to the Trip technique with a polearm (clearly something you can do, but not the main purpose).

Then again, from strict reading of Martial Arts, you can buy up Judo Throw with a technique, so buying up Shield Bash with the same technique might fly with some GMs.

Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

I use Shield Rush all the time in games where I have a shield. It's like Slam (ie: awesome) only better in every way other than "needing a shield."

Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker (Post 1698933)

If a shield's primary use is to defend, and using it as a weapon is secondary, is it reasonable to allow Techniques for Shield Rush and Shield Bash?

Techniques to do what, though? You bash with a shield at full skull, and rush with a shield at full skull. So there is no penalty to buy them off.

However, you could make a more effective shield bash as a penalized technique, much as Exotic Hand Strike and Hammer Fist do to punches. I'd just be sure to include some downside to it so that striking with the shield in a straight-up doesn't become a useless move. Make a "shield edge strike" that does extra damage but reduces your DB by one in exchange for the extra damage, or which can be clumsy and make the shield unready.

Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter V. Dell'Orto (Post 1699255)

I was just talking about the standard bash and rush, as those could be considered secondary to blocking. there are a number of techniques that default to full skill... so I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

That may work until someone put a spike on the shield, buy targeted attack(eye) and start targeting the eye at full skill with an easy weapon.

Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_matrix_walker (Post 1699317)

I know, and we've discussed this to death on other threads. There are not a lot of techniques that default to full skill, and there are extremely few that are better than the basic use of the skill without having any limitations (in fact, off-hand, I can't think of any.)

So yes, I think you can make them, but I also think it's a bad idea to do so unless they are limited in some way that makes them a tradeoff to try. Some of the techniques that default to full skull in GURPS Martial Arts cannot be improved (Judo Throw, for example), or can be but represent a small subset of the uses of the skill (Arm Lock, for another). They can be improved if you add Technique Mastery, but GM approval is required for that. I make no assurances it's a good idea to allow it in this case (or other cases).

Re: [MA] Shield Techniques

Thanks for your input Peter! Happy Holidays!