Physical Shields - Proposed Addition to Rules

[Manius]

Thinking of Melee combat mainly and having read many 40k books where small energy shields are used I’m starting rules for the use of melee shields and ballistic shields.

Now, I’ll have two classes of shield based on size 12” – 24” are Melee and 24”+ are Ballistic.

Now. Many of us use shields in LRP and know the rules many systems use for them but I’m considering if such strict rules are needed for the Melee shields.

What I would “like” to see are decent physreps and safe play first and foremost and for a Melee shield I’d like to see clear, convex/concave Perspex used to give a really good physrep.

Now, most systems insist on padding all over the shield but I’m inclined to drop this for Melee classed shields in place of just padding on the edges and making there offensive use an extremely serious issue (i.e. caught shield barging and your off the site!).

As for damage, I’m edging towards “impervious” to melee damage of Tier One (but Tier two + will destroy the shield, although the shield will absorb that hit), but completely “impervious” to ballistic fire PURELY as I can’t see how we’ll be able to effectively, or fairly, rule any other way in the field.

I want members opinions on this please?

Next up for the ballistic shields, I’m thinking that people can use them but movement is severely restricted (can walk slowly only) as well as making them ablative armour only (i.e. granting 4 extra hits before being destroyed).

Again, opinions welcome.

I don’t want to see whole units armed with massive ballistic shields really but I quite like the idea of specialist assault units armed with pistols, short swords and melee shields and I’m thinking on how to set the rules up for this.

[Gor/Strauss]

Scarovian Stormies could be CC oriented, unlike traditional Stormies/Kasrkin.

That immediately gives you the fluff needed to give spec ops units the shields.

[john]

How about Ballistic shields are kind of like the ballistic shields in use with law enforcement? fecking huge..... or as Gor (I think) sugggested the shield is hung from the shoulder and controlled by the left arm (right arm for southpaws). These both automatically enforce limitations on the users as they have an arm out of action and can only use a side arm, reloading is also more difficult.

Arm mounted shield 18"wide 24" deep with appropriate strapping.
Full size (carried) shield 24" wide 36" deep with a slot for a las pistol and strapping.
Construction wise I would go with the perspex covered with a thick layer of high density foam on the inside and maybe a carrymat edge.

I'll try and price something up that can withstand bb's this week.

[aitch]

The Necromunda miniatures for the Adeptus Arbites are carrying huge rectangular swat style riot shields like the ones John mentions, so there's the precedence. Cheaper to do I guess from plywood painted black, but not as cool as the perspex idea.

I agree that any shield that stops gunfire should be large, cumbersome and restrictive. The amount of hits needed to destroy a shield could be a problem though. I've used similar perspex energy shields at a 'Portal' airsoft LRP event, and 4 bb's can hit your shield pretty damn fast. With 4 armour points, you're only going to get the protection for half a second or so. As a alternative (and this I admit could be a pooh idea), how about fixing a small balloon or bag or something small (about 5x5 cm) to the centre of the shield. The shield provides protection until that bag or whatever is 'popped' by a bb. Meaning hopefully that long range 'wild fire' has less chance of damaging the shield, whilst close in aimed fire is more likey to find a weak point in the shield and knacker it. Just an idea.

H / Stamper

[Manius]

Hmmm…bag of talc or flour? It “could” work but potentially, we’d have to rule on the exact dimensions of the bag and where it would be placed on the shield. The main drawback would be weather. Such an OOC indicator would be fine until it rained and the bag got wet.

I’d like to steer away from balloons as they’re just too big and actually take some effort to burst with an AEG at range.

Ok, I’ve got some sample rules I’ve kicked out (new post). Let me know what you think.

[aitch]

Yeah, sounds good. Balloons were the first thing that popped into my head but they'd look a bit silly. Flour or talc might work though...

H/Stamper

[Manius]

Ok - I've put some basic and stictly negotiable rules on the forums in this section. Read them and comment freely on them, they're a starting point with a few good ideas and some I'm not so happy about that I'd like our Players input on.

Thank you