Shield

* Default: DX-4
Shield (DX/Easy) is the skill to use a shield, both to block and to attack. Just as melee weapons can Parry, shields can Block--use your (Shield skill /2)+3, rounded down.Basic Set: Characters, p.220 Unlike most melee weapons, shields provide a Defense Bonus--your effective Block score should include the DB from the shield you use!
Specialization required.
* Shield: Any shield held in place with straps.
*Buckler: Any shield held in the hand, such as by a central grip.
*Force: "Any shield with a blocking “surface” formed from energy rather than matter."
Buckler and Force shields default to one another at -2.
== Examples ==
TL	Shield 	DB	Cost	WT	DR / HP	Notes
0 	Light Shield 	1 	25 	2 	5/20 	2, 3, 4
0 	Small Shield 	1 	40 	8 	6/30 	2, 3, 4
1 	Medium Shield	2 	60 	15	7/40 	2, 3, 4
1 	Large Shield 	3 	90 	25	9/60 	2, 4
# --
# Can be used in a shield bash
# Available as a strapped shield or buckler
# At TL3+, iron shields are available but uncommon: x5 cost, x2 weight, +3 DR, and x2 HP. At TL7+, plastic riot shields (made of Lexan, etc.) have ¥1/2 weight but otherwise identical statistics. Shield composition never affects DB.
==Basics==
* B383 discusses readying a shield, which takes longer than most weapons, although Bucklers are treated like weapons
* 287/374 is the overviews.
* B375 under Blocking mentions:
** If you’re strong enough to grab and lift someone, you can block with his body!
** B392 covers close combat.
** B406 covers offensive use
** B484 covers damage to them.
== Discussions ==
=== Paired Shields ===
:w:c:SamuraiJack:paired shields documents 3 episodes which provide visual examples
*2008 discussion
*2009 discussion
*2010 discussion
*2013 Kromm post
*2013 response
=== Writings ===
Gaming Ballistic has several articles overviewed at https://gamingballistic.com/2017/08/03/aggressive-shield-use-in-gurps/
This covers the Setup Attack from Delayed Gratification
==See Also==
*Block
*Cloak
*Fighting With Shields
**Shield-Hand Weapons
*Improvised Shields
*Shield Cover
*Shield Rush
*Shield Wall
== References ==
Category:Skills