Cavalry with board shield

[Uther]

So, since most of the time i play as small cavalry party (made mostly of companions), i tend to give my heroes 2 shields: 1 smaller for mounted combat and one bigger to protect back/use during sieges.

Now I've had an idea about using board shield to cover the back while mounted, since it's the biggest one and has a decent resistance (the heavy one anyway).
Has anyone tried it? Does it block arrows while on your back?
Because, technically, it 'can't be used on horseback'.
It would be bloody perfect if it was functional like that.
I'd try it myself but miraculously i can't find any right now.

 

[jackster12]

Ah but does anyone care?

Lets just sit back and chill to some http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfM6nRVBvGs

ON a topic note. I thought that a shield on your back only gave you a damage reduction. I thought it didn't actually stop arrows.  Thats a great idea if it does and you don't take any damage...Like anti arrow armor

 

[CountVlad]

I've never tried it, but I would've thought it would work like any other shield. Two shields is an idea I've never thought of before! (and a bloody good one!)

 

[djude]

I use 2 shields constantly, in large scale battles/siege its a good lifeline....especially when you're fighting the nords, their axes destroy shields very quickly!

I dont use board shields....basically because of the style factor 

 

[Uther]

No, a shield on the back definitely helps block arrows.
I think there is a penalty though, and sometimes arrow that hits your back still causes some damage (0-2 or so).
Everytime an arrow hits it a message pops up saying "hit the shield on the back!".

But yeah they help.
If i didn't go for maximum efficiency with my 15 unit party I'd be dead meat

PS: Ok i tried it, and i think it works. I couldn't get the dumb sea raiders to throw an axe at my back after standing with my back to them for like a minute, but i think it would work.
But yeah, it does kinda look mugly....i think I'll stick to fur or those other shields that Swadian infantry uses.

 

[CountVlad]

lol. Board shields do cramp your style a bit. I usually have characters with two-handed weapons, so I mainly use a shield for cosmetic purposes (a round one on the back).

 

[Queevix]

Ah but does anyone care?

Lets just sit back and chill to some http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfM6nRVBvGs

nice chillin mate! totally awesome.

I love board shields.
Really, I do.

 

[AlienKnight]

No, a shield on the back definitely helps block arrows.
I think there is a penalty though, and sometimes arrow that hits your back still causes some damage (0-2 or so).
Everytime an arrow hits it a message pops up saying "hit the shield on the back!".

But yeah they help.
If i didn't go for maximum efficiency with my 15 unit party I'd be dead meat

PS: Ok i tried it, and i think it works. I couldn't get the dumb sea raiders to throw an axe at my back after standing with my back to them for like a minute, but i think it would work.
But yeah, it does kinda look mugly....i think I'll stick to fur or those other shields that Swadian infantry uses.

Yeas, the shield on the back blocks arrows and you get a message "Hit shield on back. Received 0 damage". It happened to many times.

 

[Gabeed]

I think there is a penalty though, and sometimes arrow that hits your back still causes some damage (0-2 or so).

You can take more damage than that.  If you have a shield on your back, from what I've seen any missile that hits you from behind, no matter where, except for legs, has "hit shield on back."  It has given me that message when I have taken 30 damage or so, and have obviously been shot in the back of the head.

 

[duracell]

Yeas, the shield on the back blocks arrows and you get a message "Hit shield on back. Received 0 damage". It happened to many times.

Try it on realistic damage, the shield on your back doesnt block projectiles, only reduces the damage.

 

[AlienKnight]

Yes, of course. I referred to my gameplay experience, no reality taken into account. In reality, a shield can be pierced by an arrow.
I must add that I usually wear a 50+ body armour that probably contributes to "received 0 damage" message following "hit shield on back". No armour in the game protects from projectiles (try to be the first to approach the walls of a castle without a shield), but the shield on back adds to the armour and it seems it is enough for a full protection (I never got any damage with "hit shield on back").