Shield Use: Difference between revisions

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'''Shield Use''' is a skill a character trains in to increase their skill with a [[Shield|shield]], therefore increasing [[defensive strength]] when the shield is in the character's off-hand.
'''Shield Use''' is a skill a character trains in to increase their proficiency with [[shield]]s, thereby increasing [[Defensive Strength]] (DS) when the shield is in the character's off-hand, as well as providing a chance to [[block]] an attack outright before the attack roll can take place. [[Warrior]]s, [[rogue]]s, and [[paladin]]s additionally receive [[#Shield Specialization|shield specialization]] points when training in this skill.


''For DS and avoidance calculations relating to Shield Use/Block, see the [[Block]] article.''

{{TOC limit|2}}
== Ranks and Training Point Costs ==
== Ranks and Training Point Costs ==
{{Skill
{{Skill
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| Wizardcost = 13/0
| Wizardcost = 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:
<div {{prettydiv|margin-right=300px}}><center><tt>'''Final DS bonus = Base DS bonus &times; Stance Modifier &times; Shield Size Modifier + 20 + Shield enchant</tt></center></div><br>
<div {{prettydiv|margin-right=300px}}><center><tt>'''Base DS bonus = [Shield Ranks + [[trunc]](STR bonus/4) + trunc(DEX Bonus/4)] / 1.5</tt></center></div><br>
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 &divide; 4) + trunc(18 &divide; 4)) / 1.5 = 44 Base Value

;Step 2 (Shield DS) Calculations

:44(Base Value) &times; .5(Stance) &times; 1.15(Shield Factor) + 20 (Shield bonus) + 20 (Enchant bonus) = 65 DS


==Shield Specialization==
==Shield Specialization==
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{{#section:Shield Specialization|intro}}
{{#section:Shield Specialization|intro}}


== Changes since GemStone III ==
== 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.
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 ==
== Resources ==
*[[Shield Maneuvers (saved posts)]]
*[[Shield Specialization/saved posts|Shield Specialization saved posts]]
*[[Block]]
*[[Block]]
*http://www.play.net/gs4/info/combatguide.asp#factors
*http://www.play.net/gs4/info/combatguide.asp#factors

Latest revision as of 22:17, 19 June 2017

Shield Use is a skill a character trains in to increase their proficiency with shields, thereby increasing Defensive Strength (DS) when the shield is in the character's off-hand, as well as providing a chance to block an attack outright before the attack roll can take place. Warriors, rogues, and paladins additionally receive shield specialization points when training in this skill.

For DS and avoidance calculations relating to Shield Use/Block, see the Block article.

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

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