Curse

Rey Lentless · May 23, 2005, 05:20 PM // 17:20

I've seen plenty of explanations on what armor level does on armor. But I haven't seen anything for shields. I've seen info alluding to or at least hinting that shields 'stack' onto other equipment, when attacked from the front. But this hasn't really been stated outright.

So, is that what shields do? If not, what do they do? And does tactics have any effect on them? (besides just being a req, or supplies abilities that require one)

Crom the Conqueror · May 23, 2005, 06:36 PM // 18:36

When some one attack you, they randomly hit your head, torsol, legs, feet and arms. So if someone hit your head, only your helmet's defense point is counted, but if you have a shield, the shield's defense bonus will be added to your helm's defense bonus. So if someone hit me on the head while I am weilding a shield and wearing a plate helm, my defense bonus from armor is the 95 from helm + the 16 from my magma shield.

IndyCC · May 23, 2005, 06:39 PM // 18:39

My understanding was that shields only apply to the chest area...?

Rey Lentless · May 25, 2005, 05:22 PM // 17:22

So it does just 'stack' onto the defense of all your other areas? Is it only when you're attacked from the front?

Epinephrine · May 25, 2005, 05:27 PM // 17:27

These sum it up pretty well

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ht=positioning

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...nics-id674.php

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ems-id1056.php

Rey Lentless · May 25, 2005, 05:45 PM // 17:45

No, they really don't. I've looked at all 3 of those. That's why I asked.

The weapons and items article just says warriors with tactics should use shields (that's why I asked if it has any effect, the way weapon attributes give passive bonuses to weapons), but is that just because of the reqs on the skill, and the requirement to have a shield equipped to use some of the skills?

The mechanics thread alludes to a few things.

"So, for example, a 30 damage physical attack directed at a Warrior wearing Knight's Armor (80 AL, +20 AL vs. Physical) using a 15 AL shield, would deal"

"Additional defensive measures, such as an armor-boosting enchantment or a shield, are added to the target's defense, regardless of hit location."

So that sounds like it stacks on. And works for both elemental and physical damage, and stacks onto all other items. But, doesn't say anything about positioning or being attacked from the front.

So, we go to that article.

"An important fact about shields that's often overlooked is that they only work from the front. There's a distinct arc where the shield's defensive bonus is added to your armor. No one's quite sure what it is but it's generally agreed to be in the front and not in the back (It's still in doubt just how much of the sides are covered, that's all)."

So I still have my questions about it.

Volarian · May 25, 2005, 06:58 PM // 18:58

I think the second link offers some really good information & understanding, but leaves out a key factor with regards to a Warrior with a Dragon Sword 15-22 dmg. Not only do we consider the Charc LvL & Swordsmanship, but also strength. It would have been nice for him to give an example there since both Swordsmanship/Axe Mastery/Hammer Master & Strength play a part in how much damage is dealt in accordance with other factors (ie - mob def vs ?)

Red Locust · May 25, 2005, 06:58 PM // 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rey Lentless

No, they really don't. I've looked at all 3 of those. That's why I asked.

The weapons and items article just says warriors with tactics should use shields (that's why I asked if it has any effect, the way weapon attributes give passive bonuses to weapons), but is that just because of the reqs on the skill, and the requirement to have a shield equipped to use some of the skills?

The mechanics thread alludes to a few things.

"So, for example, a 30 damage physical attack directed at a Warrior wearing Knight's Armor (80 AL, +20 AL vs. Physical) using a 15 AL shield, would deal"

"Additional defensive measures, such as an armor-boosting enchantment or a shield, are added to the target's defense, regardless of hit location."

So that sounds like it stacks on. And works for both elemental and physical damage, and stacks onto all other items. But, doesn't say anything about positioning or being attacked from the front.

So, we go to that article.

"An important fact about shields that's often overlooked is that they only work from the front. There's a distinct arc where the shield's defensive bonus is added to your armor. No one's quite sure what it is but it's generally agreed to be in the front and not in the back (It's still in doubt just how much of the sides are covered, that's all)."

So I still have my questions about it.

So what is it that you still need answered? You read those articles, they clearly state that the shield adds its armor level to the armor level of your armor, as long as you are hit from the front...pretty simple actually. Someone swings a sword at your front, your AL is 80 from armor + 16 from shield = 96 AL vs that attack.

MCS · May 25, 2005, 07:23 PM // 19:23

Uh your questions have been answered?

Shields add on their defence to ANY part of the body hit as long as you're hit in the front 120 degrees was it?

RailinKazr · May 25, 2005, 07:36 PM // 19:36

I'm a sceptic... do we know the source for all of the above listed articles? I read them, and they are very well written, but, that doesn't necessary ensure that the developers implemented the Attack/Defense code they way its stated.

Do these forums ever get actual Game Coders in to verify how the code is actually working? or are these article writers looking at the code when they give their analysis?

This is the "Net" afterall, we should always question our sources.

Rey Lentless · May 26, 2005, 01:17 AM // 01:17

Ok, thanks.

It was a few different sources, so I wanted to clarify. Didn't want to pick one thing to consider the truth from one part, and not another.. and do that with a few articles and just assume I knew how they worked. And there's no one source that stated all of those things, so I wanted to make sure.

Making decisions without info blows.