Question about Shields and Weapons used in defense

[Donny Brook]

Originally Posted by Varyon

Shields are bulky, so the assumption is they're too difficult to maneuver to actively Block more than once a second (but of course their DB enhances other defenses, so you're still better off with a shield when Dodging and Parrying). It's not entirely dissimilar to Parry U weapons becoming unavailable to Parry if used to attack. The authors of Martial Arts appear to have felt this was overly harsh, however, and so gave the optional rule of allowing multiple Blocks, at -5 per additional Block (as opposed to the -4 for Parries).

Maybe a good house rule would be that a second Block depends on ST exceeding a certain threshold relative to the DB of a shield.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Donny Brook

Maybe a good house rule would be that a second Block depends on ST exceeding a certain threshold relative to the DB of a shield.

Would be relative to the weight of the shield, but yeah. Actually, would be relative to the MinST for the shield - much as Martial Arts suggests for Parry iteration penalty reductions - but shields mysteriously lack MinST. Personally, I'm fine with -5 per additional Block, but wouldn't be opposed to increasing the penalty for weaker fighters and decreasing it for stronger ones.

Originally Posted by Emerikol

What is the argument for limiting shield to a single block but allowing parry to be used at a penalty multiple times?

It was never realistic and now it's a sacred cow that no one wishes to slaughter.

Personally I allow Iterative Blocks at (-3 - DB). So small shields get Blocks -4 per Block, medium shields at -5, and large shields at-6. Weapon Master and Trained By A Master both affect the same as they do for Parries.