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Old 04-21-2022, 03:13 AM   #161
sir_pudding
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

If you expect to fight a lot being prepared to use both hands is such a good idea basically everyone ever does it. You should probably have a shield, a two-handed weapon (or a one-handed weapon that benefits from both hands, like a pistol), or an off-hand weapon.
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Old 05-17-2022, 11:18 AM   #162
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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Originally Posted by Witchking View Post
The more yes answers I see the better the odds I will bring that shield to the party. Or design a character around the X + Shield concept.
My party has four shield wielders --two heavy, two light.

I will recommend that even two-fisted weapon wielders carry a shield in one fashion or another. Shields can be worn hands-free using a strap called a guige(included with larger shields), and provide full DB, although blocks are at -3 (p.LT113, Lowtechcompanion2p19&20). Adding +1DB magically is only 50$, so +4 to block, parry, and dodge makes a crazy difference in combat.


On the other side, fast fighters can have "shield-hand weapons" in their hand at the same time as a light shield (same LTC page 19) (Assuming weapon/shield specific techniques to buy of each penalty...) again, +2 to dodge, parry, block can make a large difference...
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Old 05-17-2022, 11:42 AM   #163
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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The more yes answers I see the better the odds I will bring that shield to the party. Or design a character around the X + Shield concept.
When I'm making a combat centric character, the question isn't usually "should I take a shield?" but "which shield do I take?"

Unless I specifically have a two-handed sword or polearm build in mind, I heavily favor sword or axe with a shield. I still haven't had the opportunity to play the shield+brace of javelins fighter I've been wanting to.
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Old 05-17-2022, 11:55 AM   #164
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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When I'm making a combat centric character, the question isn't usually "should I take a shield?" but "which shield do I take?"

Unless I specifically have a two-handed sword or polearm build in mind, I heavily favor sword or axe with a shield. I still haven't had the opportunity to play the shield+brace of javelins fighter I've been wanting to.
Well lately been in a lot of 'urban' adventures. So having a shield (or a bow) draws attention from the City Watch. Much like full tactical gear and a military longarm will today.

So a number of character designs of late have been more of a light fighter concept. Fencing weapon and main gauche...etc.
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Old 05-17-2022, 01:35 PM   #165
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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The more yes answers I see the better the odds I will bring that shield to the party. Or design a character around the X + Shield concept.
Given GURPS mechanic, shields are almost a must for any sort of fighter.
In real life*, plate armor removed some of the need for shield, as it was enough to stop most blows. In GURPS, armor is rarely enough to keep you protected given the arguably unrealistically high muscle based damage so even a fully armored knight will do much better with a shield.

*I've seem DanHoward say mail was as protective as plate but also saying plate replaces shields so I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.
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Old 05-17-2022, 04:54 PM   #166
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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Originally Posted by CarrionPeacock View Post
Given GURPS mechanic, shields are almost a must for any sort of fighter.
In real life*, plate armor removed some of the need for shield, as it was enough to stop most blows. In GURPS, armor is rarely enough to keep you protected given the arguably unrealistically high muscle based damage so even a fully armored knight will do much better with a shield.

*I've seem DanHoward say mail was as protective as plate but also saying plate replaces shields so I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.
I have gone that route in the past. Up thread I mentioned a dwarf fighter (in a world where plate did not exist) who managed DR 8 and carried a medium shield. But that was my last 'straight' fighter.
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Old 05-17-2022, 07:57 PM   #167
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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*I've seem DanHoward say mail was as protective as plate but also saying plate replaces shields so I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.
Mail protected against the same weapons that plate did but plate was lighter and cheaper.
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Old 05-19-2022, 02:49 PM   #168
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I used this thread as an inspiration for an adventure that is now written about here. It is one reason I love the forum!

https://www.ravensnpennies.com/gamem...-an-adventure/
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Old 05-19-2022, 03:37 PM   #169
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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Mail protected against the same weapons that plate did but plate was lighter and cheaper.
Armor protects against whatever it's designed to protect against. There's plenty of things you can design plate to protect against (such as muskets) that you really can't design mail to stop.
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Old 05-20-2022, 10:04 AM   #170
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Default Re: Spear vs Knights... am I missing something?

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Originally Posted by Kalzazz View Post
I used this thread as an inspiration for an adventure that is now written about here. It is one reason I love the forum!

https://www.ravensnpennies.com/gamem...-an-adventure/
Please tell me at least one of you had the (lack of) decency to refer to the foe as a "spear-it."
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