Proposed Rules for Shields

[Manius]

Physical Shields.

Proposed Addition to Rules

From the earliest stages of man, there have been shields in use. From basic wicker constructions right through to the energy bucklers available in the 40k universe, where there has been danger to hand to hand conflict, shields have been used for protection.

Shields, Safety and Construction.

Melee shields must be constructed from clear plastic (Perspex) and can be flat or, better still, concave. The edges of a Melee shield must be padded with high density foam to a depth of 12mm.

Use of a Melee shield offensively to strike or barge another player is a serious offence. Use in this way will result in a players’ withdrawal from that phase of the game by mandatory IC character damage and repeated offences will lead to OOC expulsion from the site for “Unsafe Player Practice”.

Ballistic shields, being larger and heavier, must be padded on there “face” to at least 6mm with high density foam and 12mm on the outer edges. They can be constructed from most materials except metal but each shield will be considered on a one-to-one basis for general safety of use.

Use of a Ballistic shield offensively, either to strike or barge a player is considered a serious offence. *see the ruling or Melee shields

Likewise, deliberately charging directly into any shield is also considered a serious breach of safety and will be dealt with accordingly but the Referees initially by mandatory IC character damage.

Melee shields:

Melee shields must be between 12” and 24” diameter. In the 40k Universe these are energy shields which can be stored, in the “off” setting, on the forearm and activated to provide melee protection when needed.

Melee shields are impervious to all Tier One melee damage and ALL ballistic damage except under instruction from a Ref.

Damage taken from any Tier Two or above melee weapon will result in the destruction of the shield but this will absorb that attack. Destroyed shields cannot be used until repaired and can only be repaired by the combined working of characters with the Armourer skill and the Tier One (or above) Crafting skill. Such work can be undertaken by the same character, provided they have both skills but will take double the normal time to perform.

Melee shields offer limited protection against explosives (grenades etc). The areas that are protected are ONLY: the arm holding, Head and Torso. Any other locations are hit as per the normal rules (i.e. legs if standing).

When using a Melee shield the user can move without restrictions but can only perform tasks with there normal hand, at half rate and must retain control of the shield to benefit from its protection.

Ballistic Shields:

Any shield above 24” in diameter is considered a ballistic shield. Ballistic shields are normally solid in construction and heavy due to having to withstand the myriad of different weapons they are designed to face.

When using a ballistic class shield the player can only walk at a slow pace and must use both hands to carry the shield. However, the player can rest the shield at any point by holding with one hand and use his free hand to use a weapon or perform a task, but cannot move whilst doing this. Any tasks undertaken in this way are performed will take twice as long to perform.

Ballistic shields are impervious to all Tier One and Tier Two melee damage and ALL ballistic damage except under instruction from a Ref.

Damage taken from any Tier Three or above melee weapon will result in the destruction of the shield but this will absorb that attack. Destroyed shields can be repaired by a character with the Armourer skill (such shields are less physical rather than technical in nature so do not require in depth skills for repair).

Ballistic shields also offer full body protection from explosives (grenades etc).

[john]

Ballistic shields are impervious to all Tier One and Tier Two melee damage and ALL ballistic damage except under instruction from a Ref.
The majority of hand weapons (las guns, stub guns etc) simply don't have the destructive power to render the shield useless however a direct hit from a grenade launcher should perhaps be an exception (and by direct I mean that the majority of the load hits the shield) though the damage is absorbed and the man behind is unharmed.

As for construction plywood properly prepared can be very safe especially when well padded, however I recommend the padding on both the inside and outside as it is merely a phys rep of a bloody great lump of ceramite and you are not supposed to beat people sensless with it.

[aitch]

That sounds fair. Does away with the need for 'destructable' bags/balloons etc. Hopefully it should be fairly clear when you've been hit with a grenade launcher (ie a massive patter of bbs) and people should be able to play fair with that.

H/Stamper

[Manius]

There will be “embedded” Ref’s during events. They will not be the lum-vest wearing type most LRP’ers are used to, they will be more akin to sleeper marshals in airsoft where they are players until revealed.

This hopefully will negate some confusion (I hate to use the word “cheating”).

Majority of hand weapons cannot get through a ballistic shield – that’s correct. However, a sniper is sure to be able to hit the player through a gap and likewise someone willing to expend lots of ammo might get a lucky hit. The Shield only makes the player immune from damage as long as the SHEILD takes it…I hope that’s clear in the ruling is it?

Ballistic shields can be made from a greater variety of materials as they’re nothing special. They’re a solid, ceramite or even metal “big lump” – hence the movement restrictions.

Melee shields are more specialist and I felt that strictly limiting there construction materials meant that:

1) it would limit the number of players actually using them
2) it would mean we had a consistent physrep within the system which looked the part.

H/Stamper – My hopes exactly. We all know airsoft is an “honour” game. If you get shot with an M203 launcher or Moscat then you’ll know and even if you don’t get any BB strikes you should take the hit.

However, I feel that you’ve touched on something that does need a ruling – difference between direct and blast damage.

A ballistic shield offers full protection from “Blast” damage – for example a frag grenade (Mk6) goes off within 1m of a player using a ballistic shield. The player receives FULL protection from that blast and takes NO damage and the shield remains intact.

However, a grenade launcher (M203?) fires a direct shot at the ballistic shield (these will be classed as solid or krak I feel) the shield will be destroyed but the player will survive.

Ok, not strictly accurate. A Krak round hitting anything like a ballistic shield is likely to obliterate it and the owner but we have to make concessions I believe to keep the game balanced, fast flowing, self policing and enjoyable.

I also have to add a piece about shields not providing any protection whilst not being actively used (i.e. mounted on your back).

Comments?

[john]

if you hit the player then you've hit the player, I thought that was obvious. i think Aitch would agree with me and so would everyone else
So for '203 hits we need to differentiate rak from Frag, how about Krak are the foam or rubber rockets and frag are the bb grenades?
A bloody great lump of steel is still a bloody great lump of steel, the shields are not back mountable as they are too heavy and cumbersom. I would recommend a maximum height for them as well, something around 4 feet. Big enough to get behind and cower but small enough so that when you are moving you are still a little vulnerable.
my last point for the moment anything measuring 3 feet by 4 feet is going to weigh a lot and that will limit them as surely as anything.

[Gor/Strauss]

How about a direct hit from (insert nade launcher here) not only destroys the shield but forces the target to fly back a little and collapse on the ground. Could get some good acrobatics outta it

[aitch]

Yup, all sounds fair. Since the rubber rounds for the 203's are out there it makes sense to use them as a different type of munition after all.
To clarify, I meant that you'll know if your shield gets hit with a launcher (If you're cowering behind it) because of the number of bb's hitting it at the same time, and know the shield's knackered. If you're sticking a bit of your anatomy out from behind the shield and it gets hit you deserve everything you get.

H/Stamper

[Manius]

Ok, I think it’ll be best to include something about knock-back effects in this section as well then.

Melee shield struck = knock-back effect
Ballistic shield struck = no knock-back effect EXCEPT for Tier 3+ weapons (i.e. our Krak grenade scenario)

However, I’m still more inclined to use Moscart/M203 BB launchers for Krak and the solid for frag.

Why?

OOC you are more likely to notice the mass strike of 165 bb’s on your Ballistic shield than the low powered thump that the plastic/foam solids produce (they’re quite low velocity and are soft nosed). Practically, if your hiding effectively behind your shield you’re unlikely to even notice the solid round but WILL hear the 165+ BB’s.

Frag = Solid rounds – the advantage of the solid rounds are that they can be fired in an arched trajectory, meaning they can be lobbed (like a grenade) into positions. Where they land, a visible ref can be ready to lob a Mk6 in to replicate the effect or just be better able to see the area of contact.

I know it goes counter to the logic of the materials used but its easier to Ref and physrep.

[john]

www.springfields.co.uk/security/accessories/
talking to a friend who has been in the shop associated with the website, they apparently have shed loads of the perspex riot shields (small round and large quare)