Using Two Shields at Once

[tomc]

How do you reconcile Two Weapon talent (ITL p41) with Shield Expertise (ITL 39) when using two shields at once?

Here's what I do:

1) Double the -1DX penalty for attackers in the front hexes to -2DX.

2) Each shield stops an extra hit.

3) The shield expert can attack with one or both shields, each doing damage as a club.

4) A shield used to attack stops no hits that turn.

5) A shield used to attack doesn't give the -1DX penalty to attackers from the front.

6) Shield Rush is unchanged. The second shield makes no difference, same as any other weapon.

So we have a Shield Expert:

ST 12, DX 14(13), IQ 11, MA 10
Talents: Two Weapons(2), Shield(1), Shield Expertise(2), Toughness(2)
Spiked Shield (2H/A)
Large Shield (3H/A)
Toughness (1H/A)
Total: 6H/A

Note: Any attack from the front hexes is at -2DX for Shield Expertise twice.

Combat Options:
Defend (attacker rolls 4 dice at -2DX for Shield Expertise twice)
Shield Rush Spiked Shield (does 1d-2 damage, target at -2DX to stay afoot)
Shield Rush Large Shield (target at -2DX to stay afoot)
Attack w/Spiked Shield (as club, 1d-2 for ST 12)
Attack w/Large Shield (as club, 1d-2 for ST 12)
Attack w/Both (-4 DX for second attack)

Put him in chain mail and have him defend, and he stops 9H/A while his attackers are rolling 4 dice at -2DX.

Give him two tower shields (4H/A each) with chain mail and toughness he's a super-munchkin who stops 12H/A. (I think two tower shields is a bit much unless he's ST 16+ or so.)

[Shostak]

I would not let Two Weapons work with two shields.

[Bill_in_IN]

Originally Posted by Shostak

I would not let Two Weapons work with two shields.

That would probably be the easiest solution. If one did allow it, I would say that the Shield Expertise couldn't stack for two shields via Two Weapons Talents unless used in a Shield Rush, a Shield is not a Weapon.

Under normal circumstances, Shield Expertise stacks with other weapons expertise like fencing. But having it stack with itself via Two Weapons Talents I believe to be negated by the fact that they are not weapons.

Now, If one shield is in use as a shield and the other used for Shield Rush attacks, then that may be workable but the Shield Expertise bonuses would not stack. One is a shield and one is a weapon.

That's my take on it anyway.

[timm meyers]

I love unconventional character builds and hate power builds. A fun game is always a balance of advantages and disadvantages. That is why I think TFT is a superior system and does well in this area.
2 wea. + shield expert is full of "character". The priesthood of defense, or the literal minded bodyguard that has sought the skills to be the perfect protector and let not a single drop of blood be spilled. OR can be conceived to fulfill the dream of a tank-o-doom that can never be touched.
An honest read of the rules from my viewpoint leaves you with the following when armed with 2 shields.

can wield 2 shields effectively = deflection of hits from both shields to front at +1 hit per shield.
Attacker is -1DX when attacking from front. (this does not stack any more than weapon expert does when wielding 2 swords)
May do 2 "rush" attacks on the same target (second attack always at -4 DX). Alternatively, could do 1 rush on 2 separate enemies if both are in their front hex, again the 2nd rush is -4 DX.

Again, I think a very intriguing build that my weirdness would probably enjoy playing. Spike shields would be my only hope of being a damage dealer but it would be great fun to team up with a polearm user etc. and try to be the ultimate shield maiden/guardian. The potential of some high strength and extra armor combined with toughness would make him/her a tough nut to crack.
I wonder if you could convince 1 or 2 other players to join the brotherhood and create a true "shieldwall". That could be fun marching down the dungeon halls shoulder to shoulder.....

[Shostak]

Shield size should be taken into consideration. I don't see how someone is going to be particularly effective with two large shields--they are just too big.

[leorasy89]

Defensive spells can be divided into three categories: elemental, mental, and physical. Elemental spells are those that affect the environment in some way. basketbros

[JohnPaulB]

Originally Posted by tomc

How do you reconcile Two Weapon talent (ITL p41) with Shield Expertise (ITL 39) when using two shields at once?

ahhh... have you ever seen anyone use 2 shields at once? Is this some special Kung Fu weapon style?

[tomc]

Originally Posted by JohnPaulB

ahhh... have you ever seen anyone use 2 shields at once? Is this some special Kung Fu weapon style?

I've never seen anyone summon a dragon either, but I allow it in my game.

Sorry to bother you.

[hcobb]

Problem is you don't engage and so your foes will just circle around behind you.

[JohnPaulB]

Originally Posted by tomc

I've never seen anyone summon a dragon either, but I allow it in my game.

Sorry to bother you.

I apologize; didn't mean for it to sound like ridicule. I have watched but a very few Martial Arts films and this sounded like it would be one of their techniques.