GURPS Low-Tech Companion 2: Weapons and Warriors

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Pagan

There is no scenario in my head that allows training to get around a big ol shield flailing loosely on your arm and not inflict a penalty. No special training is going to control the shield with just your forearm. As a GM I wouldn't allow that penalty to be bought off. There is a reason you don't see this done anywhere in literature or any other type of genre fiction.

It was listed in Low-Tech because it WAS done historically. Middle Eastern archers trained to shoot a bow with a shield strapped to the forearm. Scottish warriors fought with a knife while holding a target in the same hand. IIRC the rules only allow a small shield to be used like this and I personally wouldn't allow the penalty to be bought off. The penalty is reduced to -1 if the knife is physically attached to the shield (e.g. Indian madu) rather than just being held in the hand (see Blades, p. 20). I also think it is unrealistic to allow this for any blade longer than a large knife.