Shields

The shield was the most common piece of defensive equipment from the beginning of organized warfare until the widespread use of firearms. GURPS categorizes shields by Defense Bonus (DB). This depends on their size: small (DB 1), medium (DB 2), or large (DB 3). Only exotic abilities allow DB 4+. For more on shield DB, see pp. B287, B374.

Shields are also organized according to how they’re wielded. Each grip has its own Shield skill specialty; see Shield (p. B220). These specialties default to each other at -2:

Buckler: Any shield wielded with a central handgrip. You can ready it in one second and drop it as a free action. The Basic Set states that a buckler can’t be used for a shield rush (p. B406). This isn’t quite true; the Roman scutum was specifically designed for this tactic. However, it is difficult to put your full weight behind a buckler – damage is at -1, relative to a shield, in a rush.

Guige: Any shield controlled by a neck strap and not the hands – it’s wielded hands-free. You can ready the shield in a number of seconds equal to its DB, and drop it in one second. You may not use it for a shield bash or a shield rush. Blocks using just the neck strap for control are at -3. See GURPS Low-Tech Companion 2 for advanced rules.

Shield: Any shield held in place with arm straps. You can ready or drop it in a number of seconds equal to its DB. It can be used for a shield bash or a shield rush (p. B406). It’s less maneuverable than a buckler, and so has -1 in a Feint.

Many shields with central handgrips (bucklers) need hollows in them to make room for the wielder’s fist. This hollow is protected by a metallic dome or “boss” that’s fixed to the outside of the shield. The boss provides an additional weapon with which to strike the enemy (p. B406). Some bosses are conical, coming to a point in order to deal more damage; rules for these appear in GURPS Low-Tech Companion 2. All shields in Low-Tech are assumed to have bosses, regardless of whether they’re bucklers.

Shields come in a great variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, but can be generalized into a few groups based on size and weight. A larger shield covers more of the wielder’s body, providing a higher DB. A heavier one can take more damage; rules for this appear in GURPS Low- Tech Companion 2.

The shields described below are examples of specific designs, drawn from a range of cultures and locations. Historically, most societies used shields of many shapes and sizes. In principle, then, any of these types could be produced anywhere – at TL1 if it has metal components, at TL0 otherwise. In practice, while simple round and oval shields should be available in most settings, other shapes and features might only appear in particular times and places. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all of these shields are assumed to be heavier models – composites of wood, hide, and metal, with DR 4 – which are strapped to the arm.

A medium shield constructed of two layers of hide laced around a wooden hoop and stuffed with feathers, hair, or grass – or paper from the books of pioneers! Treat as Fragile (Combustible) (p. B136). It’s carried over the shoulder on a neck strap (guige) when riding.

Lighter models (TL0) are made of a single layer of hide stretched over a frame of light wood or wicker, or of several layers of hide stitched together. Heavier wooden versions (TL1) covered with leather and/or metal are common in formation fighting. Such shields were first employed by the Sumerians, but saw widespread use by many cultures. They cover the warrior from chin to shins, and can be of any shape – including oval, rectangular, scalloped, hexagonal, and figure-eight. They’re curved so that they wrap a little around the body, and usually incorporate a guige to take some of the weight off the arm.

Both light (TL0) and heavy (TL1) variants are constructed in a manner similar to the large shield (above), but are smaller, covering from chin to thighs. Such shields were used in some form or other by most cultures until the end of the Middle Ages. Medium shields could be many different shapes, but circular ones were by far the most common. A distinctive crescent-shaped shield (the pelta) was carried by Greek peltasts, Scythians, and other cultures in eastern Central Europe.

A light large shield made of wicker and faced with hide. It comes in two main types: one is rectangular, with a rounded top edge, while the other is figure-eight shaped. Both are carried and wielded solely by means of a guige around the neck, enabling a long spear to be used two-handed. They’re large enough to stop most attacks, but difficult to control.

A long, very narrow buckler used in East Africa, India, and Australia. In India, it was sometimes made by joining two antelope horns. The central grip is its widest part; the shield tapers to rounded points at either end. These do crushing damage for the basic model, but metal points (TL1) can be added to permit an impaling shield bash: +1 CF. The parrying buckler provides only DB 1, but adds another +1 to Block rolls (only).

Both light (TL0) and heavy (TL1) variants are constructed like the large and medium shields, but are even smaller – rarely longer than the forearm. They give only DB 1, but are highly maneuverable; the wielder has only -1 DX in close combat (p. B392). Middle Eastern archers sometimes carried such a shield and practiced firing “under” it by holding the shield and bow in a more horizontal position, while other fighters wielded a knife in the same hand as their shield; either gives -2 to weapon and Shield skills, and one-handed weapons suffer off-hand penalties.

For more on this trick, and for rules tying DB to weapon skill penalties when using a shield, see GURPS Low-Tech Companion 2.

Homer describes these shields in some detail in the Iliad. They’re circular in shape and made of several layers of ox hide, with a bronze facing and a boss that’s sometimes fashioned into the head of a fantastic creature. Often, the bronze is elaborately decorated with embossing and enamel (styling, +4 CF). The rim is reinforced with either bronze or hide, and fastened with rivets. It has a central grip (requiring the Buckler specialty), but a guige takes some of the weight off the arm. Size ranges from medium (DB 2) to large (DB 3). Large ones are broad enough to provide shelter to a companion – usually an archer.

Also called the aspis (Greek for “shield”), this is a specific pattern of medium shield optimized for hoplite phalanx warfare. It’s circular in shape and deeply dished so that the rim can rest on the shoulder, eliminating the need for a guige. It’s made of wood, lined with leather, and sometimes faced with bronze. It lacks a boss; the hand slips through the central arm band and holds a grip near the rim. Only two-thirds of the shield protects the bearer. The other third projects out past his elbow, partially covering the man standing on his left. While only medium-sized, overlapping Argive shields are ideal for tight formations, and provide DB 3 when used in a shield wall. In one-on-one combat, though, they offer the medium shield’s usual DB 2.

This buckler variant of the heavy large shield is made of laminated birch wood, faced with felt and edged in metal. The hand holds a horizontal handgrip in an overhand position, and is protected by a domed boss. The Republican scutum is oval in shape; at approximately 22 lbs., it’s one of the heaviest shields ever actively wielded in combat. It is ideal for shield charges and can withstand a great deal of abuse. Laminated construction adds 20% to HP, but makes cost about twice that of other large shields (as a general option, this adds +1 CF). The scutum of the Imperial period is shorter (DB 2) and has squared-off edges. It, too, is made from laminated birch – but now it’s covered in leather and faced with linen. The edge is reinforced with rawhide rather than metal. These changes make it lighter (about 16 lbs) and more maneuverable. The medium scutum is laminated, as above, doubling its price and giving 20% more HP.

The smallest of bucklers, this shield consist of little more than a boss with a handgrip. German duelists specifically trained with it, calling it a hut (“hat”). It gives no DB, but gives +1 to Block rolls (only), and provides DR 4 to the shield hand. Any buckler that’s destroyed in combat may still be wielded as a dueling buckler.

By the end of the 13th century, the European kite shield (below) was replaced by its smaller cousin, the heater. This still tapers to a point at the bottom, but doesn’t provide any benefit that other shapes wouldn’t – although it might be a little more manageable on horseback. Treat as a medium shield.

During the 11th century, this long, teardrop-shaped shield took over from the round shield as Europe’s most popular shield. It remained dominant well into the 13th century, used by both cavalry and infantry. The kite shield reaches down to protect the leading leg while in formation, and can cover the left leg when on horseback. It is constructed like a heavy large shield, but weighs less owing to its taper.

Depicted in Renaissance fencing manuals such as Talhoffer’s Fechtbuch and the Codex Wallerstein, dueling long shields are designed for trial by combat. They’re weapons in themselves: long, narrow shields mounted on vertical poles with spikes at either end, sometimes with special cutouts that enable the attacks described under Hook (p. 54). The relevant skill is Shield at -2 or Staff at -4. Readers with GURPS Martial Arts should note that an Exotic Weapon Training perk can negate this skill penalty.

Some defenses are classed as cover (pp. B407-408) rather than as shields, and provide no DB. Examples are the pavise and mantlet. These barriers were most often deployed when besieging fortifications. They were handy shelters against missiles, but of little use in melee.

Pavises could be carried by one man, and were designed to protect one or two people; e.g., an archer or a crossbowman, plus the pavise’s bearer (the paviser). A pavise has DR 4, HP 24, and provides cover DR 10. $120, 27 lbs. Some pavises had folding legs so that they could stand up unassisted (add $40, 1 lb.). Others had rows of large nails projecting from the face (add $50, 2 lb.). When troops had to flee, they would abandon their pavises faceup on the ground. Enough spiked pavises in the way were a handy means of deterring pursuit; treat as caltrops (p. 123). In winter campaigns, Russian troops mounted pavises on skids to make them easier to move (add $30, 2 lbs.).

Mantlets were larger and could protect more men – or even provide cover to artillery – but needed several soldiers to carry and deploy. Weight scales with the number of men protected, raising HP (see p. B558); cost is proportional to weight.

See Shield Statistics (p. B287) for an explanation of the notation and abbreviations used.

Notes:

• [1] +1 to Block.
• [2] Fragile (Combustible); see p. B136.
• [3] Controlled solely by neck strap; see Shield Grips (p. 113-114).
• [4] +1 DB when used in shield wall.
• [5] Laminated wood (+20% HP).

Some items, such as large turtle shells, are ideal ready-made shields – just attach a handle and you’re done. This takes 20 minutes and an Armoury (Melee Weapons) roll at +5. Any large, flat object can be converted into an improvised shield by adding a handgrip this way.

If there’s no time to affix a handle, then the item must be grasped by the rim. This requires two hands – so one would need at least three hands to wield a weapon simultaneously – and leaves the fingers exposed. Whenever its DB is used as part of a successful defense roll, roll 1d; on a 1, a hand is hit instead of the shield. Still, this might keep the user alive for long enough to be rescued!

Examples: A frying pan, heavy book, or metal ale mug gives DB 1; a cauldron lid or chair, DB 2; and a table, DB 3.

Shields are very valuable in low-tech combat, but almost worthless against firearms. Historically, they were little used after the rise of firearms (TL4) – with the exception of plastic riot shields. In some SF settings, though, they make a comeback as force shields. You normally wear a shield or force shield strapped to one arm. Your shield hand can’t wield a weapon (preventing you from using two-handed weapons), but it can still carry an item.

A shield helps all your active defense rolls (Block, Dodge, and Parry) with no particular effort. You can also use a shield actively to block; see Blocking (p. 375).

The following statistics apply to shields:

TL: The tech level at which the shield is commonly available.

Shield: The kind of shield.

DB: Defense Bonus. The bonus the shield gives to all of your active defense rolls (see Defending, p. 374) against attacks from the front or shield side, even if you have no skill at all with a shield. This applies only against melee or muscle-powered ranged weapons – not against firearms, unless you use the optional Damage to Shields rule (p. 484).

Cost: The shield’s price, in $.

Weight: The shield’s weight, in pounds.

DR/HP: The shield’s DR and HP if using the optional Damage to Shields rule. This DR protects the shield, not the wielder.

LC: The shield’s Legality Class; see Legality Class (p. 267).

Notes:

• [1] Can be used offensively to entangle; see Cloaks (p. 404).
• [2] Can be used offensively with a shield bash (see the Melee Weapon Table) or shield rush (see Slam, p. 371). At TL2+, you can give your small, medium, or large shield a spike to increase damage: add $20 and 5 lbs.
• [3] Also available as a buckler. You can ready a buckler in one turn and drop it as a free action, just like a weapon – but it always occupies one hand, and it does not allow a shield rush. Use Shield (Buckler) instead of regular Shield skill. No effect on statistics.
• [4] 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 x1/2 weight but otherwise identical statistics. Shield composition never affects DB.
• [5] Worn on the wrist, leaving the hand free. DR is hardened (treat as one level of the Hardened enhancement, p. 47).

Shields were used in WWI trench warfare, and are still found in the hands of riot police and SWAT teams on the mean streets of the world’s metropolises. With the exception of riot officers, modern shield-bearers seldom use the Shield skill; they carry a shield strictly as cover (see p. B407). To interpret the table, see Shield Statistics (p. B287).

Bulletproof Shield (TL6). A heavy steel shield used by some military and police throughout the first half of the 20th century. It may have firing ports, allowing the shieldbearer to use the shield for cover and as a rifle brace while prone.

Riot Shield (TL7). A simple, medium-sized polycarbonate shield – often with “POLICE” stenciled across the front.

Entry Shield (TL8). A heavy shield deployed by a SWAT team when entering a building. It’s made to withstand gunfire, and uses materials similar to trauma plates (p. 67). Some models have mounts for lights or video displays on the front, or even steps that let the shield function as a stepladder for scaling walls.

Too heavy to be used as shields, these portable devices provide useful cover from specialized threats.

Explosives Blanket (TL7). A 4’x6’ piece of flexible ballistic armor, used to contain an explosion if a bomb can’t be removed. Subtract its DR from the bomb’s damage roll. It’s sometimes used as portable cover for multiple SWAT officers. DR 25. $1,000, 45 lbs. LC4.

Radiation Blanket (TL8). Identical to the explosives blanket (above), but also offers protection against radiation-scattering “dirty bombs.” It provides PF 3 (see Radiation Protection, p. B436) to those exposed. $2,000, 90 lbs. LC4.

Shields are very valuable in low-tech combat, but almost worthless against firearms. Historically, they were little used after the rise of firearms (TL4) – with the exception of plastic riot shields. In some SF settings, though, they make a comeback as force shields. You normally wear a shield or force shield strapped to one arm. Your shield hand can’t wield a weapon (preventing you from using two-handed weapons), but it can still carry an item.

A shield helps all your active defense rolls (Block, Dodge, and Parry) with no particular effort. You can also use a shield actively to block; see Blocking (p. 375).

The following statistics apply to shields:

TL: The tech level at which the shield is commonly available.

Shield: The kind of shield.

DB: Defense Bonus. The bonus the shield gives to all of your active defense rolls (see Defending, p. 374) against attacks from the front or shield side, even if you have no skill at all with a shield. This applies only against melee or muscle-powered ranged weapons – not against firearms, unless you use the optional Damage to Shields rule (p. 484).

Cost: The shield’s price, in $.

Weight: The shield’s weight, in pounds.

DR/HP: The shield’s DR and HP if using the optional Damage to Shields rule. This DR protects the shield, not the wielder.

LC: The shield’s Legality Class; see Legality Class (p. 267).

Notes:

• [1] Can be used offensively to entangle; see Cloaks (p. 404).
• [2] Can be used offensively with a shield bash (see the Melee Weapon Table) or shield rush (see Slam, p. 371). At TL2+, you can give your small, medium, or large shield a spike to increase damage: add $20 and 5 lbs.
• [3] Also available as a buckler. You can ready a buckler in one turn and drop it as a free action, just like a weapon – but it always occupies one hand, and it does not allow a shield rush. Use Shield (Buckler) instead of regular Shield skill. No effect on statistics.
• [4] 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 x1/2 weight but otherwise identical statistics. Shield composition never affects DB.
• [5] Worn on the wrist, leaving the hand free. DR is hardened (treat as one level of the Hardened enhancement, p. 47).