Shield Use: Difference between revisions

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(→‎List of Available Shield Maneuvers: remove duplicate table)
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:44(Base Value) × .5(Stance) × 1.15(Shield Factor) + 20 (Shield bonus) + 20 (Enchant bonus) = 65 DS
:44(Base Value) × .5(Stance) × 1.15(Shield Factor) + 20 (Shield bonus) + 20 (Enchant bonus) = 65 DS


==Shield Maneuvers==
==Shield Specialization==
{{main|Shield Specialization}}

{{#section:Shield Specialization|intro}}
This system provides [[Warriors]], [[Rogues]], and [[Paladins]] with exclusive access to new options and abilities related to the [[Shield Use]] skill. The [[SHIELD (verb)]] provides access to this new system. The goal of this release is to provide new capabilities to the shield use character builds within the martial classes, so that those character builds can better compete with the powerful twohanded and ranged weapon builds.

The system is broadly similar to the existing [[Combat Maneuvers|CMAN]] and [[Armor|ARMOR]] systems. Each rank in the Shield Use skill provides the warrior, rogue, or paladin with one (1) Shield Training Point, which they may then use to buy ranks in the various SHIELD skills via SHIELD LEARN. Skills may be unlearned via SHIELD UNLEARN, and you may view the lists of skills to learn via SHIELD LIST. SHIELD HELP provides you with detailed information on each of the skills.


== Changes since GemStone III ==
== Changes since GemStone III ==

Revision as of 10:31, 18 April 2017

Shield Use is a skill a character trains in to increase their skill with a shield, therefore increasing defensive strength when the shield is in the character's off-hand.

Ranks and Training Point Costs

Type Square Semi Pure
Profession Rogue Warrior Monk Bard Paladin Ranger Cleric Empath Savant Sorcerer Wizard
Max Ranks Per Level 2 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 - 1 1
Training Point Cost 4/0 2/0 8/0 5/0 3/0 5/0 13/0 13/0 - 13/0 13/0

Defensive Strength Calculation: Blocking

Shield use is essentially the Blocking part of the Evade/Block/Parry system. The defensive strength generated by the shield is as follows:

Final DS bonus = Base DS bonus × Stance Modifier × Shield Size Modifier + 20 + Shield enchant


Base DS bonus = [Shield Ranks + trunc(STR bonus/4) + trunc(DEX Bonus/4)] / 1.5


where shield size modifiers are as follows:

  • Small shield: 0.85
  • Medium shield: 1.00
  • Large shield: 1.15
  • Tower shield: 1.30

and stance modifier is given by:

  • offensive: 0.5
  • advanced: 0.6
  • forward: 0.7
  • neutral: 0.8
  • guarded: 0.9
  • defensive: 1.0

Note: the use of a large shield benefits the defensive strength generated by the Shield Use skill and the shield, however, larger shields harm the defensive strength provided by the Dodging skill. The larger the shield, the more harmful the shield is. A small shield lowers dodge DS by 20% where a tower shield lowers it by 50%. Shields generated by the bard song, Sonic Shield Song (1009) may be less harmful depending on how much Elemental Lore, Air training the bard has.

Example 1

Shield DS for a character with:

  • Shield Ranks: 60
  • Strength Bonus: 20
  • Dex Bonus: 18
  • Shield Enchant: +20 (4x)
  • Shield Size: Large (1.15 factor)
  • Stance: Offensive (0.5 factor)
Step 1 (Base Value) Calculations
(60 + trunc(20 ÷ 4) + trunc(18 ÷ 4)) / 1.5 = 44 Base Value
Step 2 (Shield DS) Calculations
44(Base Value) × .5(Stance) × 1.15(Shield Factor) + 20 (Shield bonus) + 20 (Enchant bonus) = 65 DS

Shield Specialization

Main article: Shield Specialization


Changes since GemStone III

The effectiveness of a shield in Gemstone III depended heavily on the enchantment of the shield, in a formula where the shield's benefit was calculated with (Enchantment Bonus + 20). Therefore, a 4X shield produced twice as much defensive strength as an unenchanted shield, where an 8X shield produced three times as much defensive strength as an unenchanted shield. Also, there was no difference, mechanically, between a buckler and a tower shield.

Resources