Revised DRFPG Shield Rush

Let's fix shield slams for DF Felltower.

A Shield rush is a slam with a shield (NOT a buckler) does slam damage, plus 1 point per point of shield DB, and the opponent subtracts 1 point per point of shield DB from their attack.

Got that? If you have ST 13 (1d thrust) and a Medium Shield (DB 2) you slam for 1d-2, +2 = 1d+1. Your ST 13 opponent does 1d-2, -2 = 1d-4.

I find that iffy for a couple of reasons:

- your shield should help, but I don't see why it should help based on size. Weight, construction, etc. yes, but just size? Eh.

- I don't see why your shield should provide DR for you based on size.

- I don't see why your shield makes you more likely to knock a foe down or overrun them - remember, the one who inflicts less damage can fall, and automatically falls if the ratio is 2:1 or more.

Here is what I prefer:

- Your shield provides DR 3 to you from the slam damage.

- Using a shield adds +2 to slam damage, +3 if spiked or dwarven, +4 if both.

- You opponent inflicts damage normally. If your opponent tries to block the slam and the DB of the shield matters, it provides DR 3 for them, too.

And that's that. You still can't shield rush with bucklers.


Oh, and by the way, shield rush, shield bash, whatever - you can still Block with your shield. Having consulted with shield users, it's odd that they can and can't in circumstances that seem otherwise the same.




Editing Later: Optionally, you can allow both bucklers and shields to shield rush. In this case, apply the damage from a shield rush with a buckler to the attacker's hand (since you can't as easily brace it with your body), that of the shield using attacker to the body (since you brace your arm and shield with the body)