companions with shields on their backs

[blainedeyoung]

Does anybody know if companions are protected by shields on their backs?

I hear, and I'm not sure but it sounds likely, that AI horsemen do better when equipped with 2-handed weapons that can't be used to thrust.  Taking prisoners is a great way to make money, so this game, I outfitted all my companions with big hammers.  They do great, take lots of prisoners.  I haven't looked at the stats (I'm running a native game).  Additionally, I always give them a siege crossbow and a large bag of bolts.  Now, that left an open space, so I went ahead and gave them a shield.  Through the whole game they've been dutifully carrying this shield on their backs.  They have never held it. 

It's been bugging me this whole time, and I have been completely unable to establish whether or not I'm simply wasting a space.  Does anybody know for sure?  Does the Shield skill apply to a shield on your back? 

 

[chargers1783]

You're partially wasting space. From my personal experiences shields on backs only protect from arrows or bolts, but when there is a horsemen charging or infantry trying to hit from behind it is useless and gives no protection. So if you 're companions are head on attackers you're wasting space.

 

[blainedeyoung]

My shield frequently takes a hit while I'm reloading my crossbow or I'm wading through archers with my sword of war or for whatever reason I have archers shooting at me from behind.  If it works the same for them that it does for me, I don't know if it's a bad idea.  Probably is...I should probably take the shields and give them another ammo pouch, especially now that we're doing a lot of sieges.  But I put points into their Shield skills which, in retrospect, was a mistake (but not a big deal). 

But my real question is: Does it work the same way for them that it does for me?  It occurs to me that they might be getting no protection at all. 

 

[chargers1783]

My post about how shields don't seem to block blows from behind was more about the AI. I usually do take damage when there is a shield on my back and someone its me in my back. When I go to hit an AI with a shield on its back it does not protect the AI. If they aren't using the shield it's useless especially in sieges, more ammo would be more productive.

 

[hruza]

Shields on back works against arrows only on player. AI shields on the back does not protect at all. At last that is what I heard.

 

[DogSoldieR]

Shields on back works against arrows only on player. AI shields on the back does not protect at all. At last that is what I heard.

Looks like I need to shoot some cowardly fleeing AI(who has a shield on the back) in the back to comfirm this.

*puts siege xbow into inventory*

 

[DarkShogun417]

I'm pretty sure that shields on the back block arrows, but don't stop melee attacks, they only weaken them. I don't know if this is different for companions or singleplayer...

 

[manekemaan]

shields on back have no advantage for the ai

 

[blainedeyoung]

shields on back have no advantage for the ai

How do you know?

 

[annallia]

shields on back have no advantage for the ai

How do you know?

Trial and error? I have noticed sometimes where it seems that I did less damage when firing into the backs of say khergits (whichever one it is that has the shield on their back in seiges) however on closer inspection I see that it is more than likely because I hit them low (arrow spam not really aiming) rather than in the head or chest so I could be hitting a less vital/heavier protected area.

With that in mind, even if it does do something for the AI it is nowhere near the protection offered to you from said shield.

If you really want to test it though equip your companions, give them all the exact same armor (and grade) and give one a shield the other none, when you go into battle have them hang back so you can shoot them in the back, repeat a few times just to be sure. If you are hitting them square in the back from the same(ish) range and hitting one for say 50 and hte other for 20 then it is fair to say it offers some protection.

 

[blainedeyoung]

If you really want to test it though equip your companions, give them all the exact same armor (and grade) and give one a shield the other none, when you go into battle have them hang back so you can shoot them in the back, repeat a few times just to be sure. If you are hitting them square in the back from the same(ish) range and hitting one for say 50 and hte other for 20 then it is fair to say it offers some protection.

Good idea.  I didn't think of that.  You can shoot your companions. 

 

[blainedeyoung]

shields on back have no advantage for the ai

You're right.  The shields didn't block at all. 

 

[manekemaan]

^^ could have saved you all the testing just listening. Tough i don't blame you :p if i hadn't notice this by accident in the past i would test it out as wel.