Shields

Shields add to the wielder’s Defense rather than absorbing damage. A shield requires a free arm, and so shields cannot be used with two-handed weapons.

You cannot benefit from more than one shield; a forcefield counts as a shield for the purposes of this. You also cannot benefit from a shield when you are in cover.

A small shield is about two-feet across, a medium shield is about three-feet across, a large shield is three-feet across and four-feet in height, while a tower shield is five or more feet in height.

Shield DEFENSE Melee Damage

Small +1 1d6

Medium +2 1d6

Large +3 2d6

Tower +3* 2d6

*+4 vs. ranged

Attacking With A Shield

Shields can be used as a weapon (as a primary weapon or as an off-hand weapon). They cause blunt damage as shown in the table above.

A shield used as a weapon does not grant its Defense bonus until the beginning of the wielder’s next turn. Shield spikes change the damage type to piercing.