Shields
A shield is a portable piece of armour meant to deflect projectiles and block blows in combat. Common on virtually every world, shields appear in Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, Ultima VIII, and Ultima IX, as well as in Ultima Underworld, Ultima Underworld II and in Savage Empire.
Description[edit]
Shields have been crafted from all manner of materials, although most are typically constructed from some combination of wood, leather and/or metal. Wielded in the hand opposite a fighter's weapon, these pieces of equipment serve to divert melee strikes away from their bearers and to block oncoming missiles, and may be used to parry blows such as to create the space for effective counterattacks.
In addition to their martial use, shields are frequently decorated with heraldic symbols, allowing warriors to openly display their allegiance on the field. Some shields are even designed purely as objects of ceremonial or ornamental value, and are poorly crafted for the art of war.
Variants[edit]
Bucklers[edit]
Bucklers are small metal shields designed for use in hand-to-hand combat, where they are used to protect the parrying hand in fights involving swords or maces. Given their small size, they offer little coverage against heavy weaponry or projectiles, although carrying one is preferable to bearing no shield at all.
In Ultima VII and Ultima VII Part Two, bucklers have a protective value of 1.[1] In Ultima VIII, bucklers have a protective value of 1, albeit on a different relative scale of protectiveness.[2] In Ultima IX, bucklers offer a 15%–35% of blocking any given blow.[3]
Round Shields[edit]
Round shields offer a wide protective surface and are among the most common designs for shields across the worlds. Typically made of wood, these circular devices may be reinforced with metal or hide, and some round shields have even been fitted with spikes such as that they might offer their user a means of maiming their opponents' weapon hands while they block.
In Ultima VII and Ultima VII Part Two, round wooden shields and spiked shields have a defensive rating of 2 (with the latter also possessing an attack rating of 2).[1] In Ultima VIII, round shields have a protective value of 3.[2] In Ultima IX, "small" round shields offer a 30%–60% chance of blocking a given blow ("medium" round shields also exist in the game world, but are not equipable).[3]
In The Savage Empire’s Eodon valley, round leather shields offer fair protection, whereas stegosaurus hide shields of the same shape offer better protection.
Kite Shields[edit]
Kite shields (and their close relative, heater shields) have an oblong shape which extends downward, offering protection to their bearer's lower body. Frequently crafted out of metal, kite shields often bear decorative patterns or emblems upon them, and in some cases may be embellished with jewels or precious materials.
In Ultima VII and Ultima VII Part Two, curved heaters, brass shields and decorative shields of the same shape have a defensive rating of 3.[1] In Ultima IX, kite shields offer a 70%–100% chance of blocking a given blow.[3]
Spiked Shields[edit]
As with the spiked helm, the spiked shields have a double function; protection and to attack opponents with its spikes.
Door Shields[edit]
Door or "tower" shields offer the largest area of protection of any shield type, and are typically designed for use with pole arms (although they may functionally be wielded in much the same manner as kite shields). Such shields are common on Serpent Isle where they are often used in a decorative capacity.
In Ultima VII Part Two, door shields have a defensive rating of 3.[1]
Magic Shields[edit]
- Main article: Magic shield
Many shields exist which have been enchanted to offer greater protection in combat, or to grant their bearers other types of magical boons. Such shields include the mystically enhanced shield of the wizard Kiran; the mage shield of Moonglow; and a shield specially enchanted for the knight, Dupre, by Lord British.
Shields in Symbolism[edit]
Shields are often used in symbolism to denote ideas of protection or guardianship, and many belief systems throughout the multiverse employ shields in an emblematic capacity. In Britannia – for example – a shield was briefly used as a talisman in the Abyssal Colony to represent the virtue of Valor, and on the dark world of Pagan, the Zealan people were known to utilize ceremonial shields in their religious practices.
Lore[edit]
| “ | Shields also vary greatly. Not all war rigs call for shields— any use of two handed weapons precludes them and they require some strength— yet many thank shields for their lives. – from The Book of Lore (Ultima V)
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| “ | Unless wielding a heavy, two-handed weapon, the warrior should carry a shield with which to parry and block his opponent’s attacks. Shields are constructed of wood or metal and vary greatly in shape and weight. – from Compendium (Ultima VI)
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| “ | Unless one is armed with a weapon that requires the use of two hands, a wise combatant, in addition to wearing armour, will also carry a shield. Generally, the more protection a shield provides, the heavier it is. – from The Fellowship (Ultima VII)
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| “ | Although a shield serves the same function as armour, its form is entirely different. A shield does little to reduce the effects of a blow; its main purpose is to deflect attacks away from the fighter. Personally, I see little difference, but many warriors have sworn to the distinction. I do, however, know that the experienced combatant wears the best armour and carries the sturdiest shield that money can buy and endurance will permit |
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| “ | Against a horde of enemies, a fighter will gladly tote a shield. Armed with a shield, a warrior can parry one opponent while striking at another. Although it precludes the use of two-handed weapons, this defensive tool keeps the opposition at arms length and arrows off of one's skin. |
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Trivia[edit]
- The term "heater shield" is actually a neologism developed in the 19th century. It was used to describe shields whose shape resembled that of a clothes iron.[4]
- The coat of arms on the kite shield (the one that's divided in two quarters white and two quarters black) is that of House Hohenzollern. It is unknown if that was done on purpose or if it just is a coincidence.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hobbs, Sherri G. Ultima VII Part Two Clue Book (Ultima VII Part Two). Origin Systems, Inc.: 1993. Pages 62–63.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mead, Melissa. "Armor and Weapons". Ultima VIII Clue Book (Ultima VIII). Origin Systems: 1994. Pages 28–33.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 McCubbin, Chris et al. "Armour". Ultima IX Strategy Guide (Ultima IX). Prima Publishing: 1999. Pages 62–65.
- ↑ “Heater shield”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
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