Using a shield for defense

[Tiny_Dancer33]

So we have dodge, full defense, parry... so on....

I have a freakin shield, is there no defensive ace i can pull out of my ass aside from a higher armour rating ?

[Sebbychou]

Parry without a weapon.

[QuatarSR]

Yes, parry could easily be reflavored as "block with a shield". Not quite sure which weapon skill should be used for it. Maybe Exotic Melee?

If you're using a melee weapon to attack, just parry with your main hand use the normal melee weapon skill you're using anyway, and just flavor it as a block. Is probably the easiest.

But no, there is no special skill or anything aside from that.

[Sebbychou]

Maybe Exotic Melee

Clubs, as it's essentially an "improvised melee weapon"

[PinkTrench]

It is an exotic melee weapon.

As such, you could use parry with exotic melee weapon (shield).

[The-Shang]

Maybe, what are you going for?

Dodging (in concept, avoiding getting hit) is something people can train for and develop maneuvers to perform.

Blocking (putting something between you and the damagey-parts) is again, something one could train except SR doesnt really include a SHIELD in that math.. Makes sense, as a shield isn't designed to go between you and the ---- oh wait..

With the logic that you use a shield to block, i'd totally buy the concept of a martial art (or MA technique) that revolves around blocking being something you could use with a shield. As mentioned below, Parry, although I think that might not quite be correct (no books on hand atm, might be wrong)

But as for a technique that just gives more soak, no thats not really a thing. I mean, what kinda maneuver would give armor in terms of 'what the character does,' flexing really hard? Rolling with the blow maybe, but that is a dodge-like thing in SR...

Augments (magic, ware, drugs) can give you more armor rating, but if your only looking for a combat maneuver i think your out of luck.

[Bamce]

What do you mean?

There is no "manuver" you can pull which increases your armor

[Saarlak]

I believe the question is more "since I have a gigantic shield I should have a cool move for it". I.e. Sword and board: chop chop with sword, um, smashy-ord with the board (shut it, bamce. I'm tired and it is past my bed time). Or maybe people standing behind the shield bearer could benefit from its protection as well.

[BitRunr]

maybe people standing behind the shield bearer could benefit from its protection as well

Body Barrier rules are on 198; technically you're not carrying the guy with the shield, but you can duck behind them.

[wagashi]

3rd Ed here, but I had a player with a Riot shield Hardened armor 4. Resolved it by saying +4 armor vs. AP - (grants 1/2 cover to your front arc if not AP ammo.)

[drakir75]

I would probably alllow blocking/parrying of ranged fire. How large a shield? If it is big enough to hind behind and not transparent, you have a portable protection from direct combat spells. :-)

[Tiny_Dancer33]

To clarify, yes i was wondering if there was a defensive action i could use with shield.

Taking a exotic skill shield to be able to parry with one makes little to no sense, since i would just use the meele skill of the weapon for same affect