Shield Idles (Request)

[MarkQuinn]

Would someone with the knowledge and resources to edit animations like to try a project dealing with how our characters and men hold their shields?  This would be a great cosmetic improvement for the long kites and pavise type shields, though I'm relatively certain these idles are a "one size fits all," meaning they'd effect the round shields too.

Specifically, I'd like to see our boys, while idle, hold their shields in this proper (and more aesthetically pleasing, IMO) position:

As opposed to this crap.

Would this be possible to change?  If not, or if it would be too much trouble, no big deal and thanks in advance for reading.

Spear or shield held upward would be optional.  Would look good for a polearm, but a little strange for a sword/axe.

Also, I'm assuming the shield change would alter the position of the arm relative to the shield, possibly not lining up properly with the handles.  Personally, that's a price I wouldn't mind paying, but others might.

Finally, I realize the shields are held similarly to those in the first pic while we're in a guarded position, but it would also be nice if a similar, though more relaxed (shield a bit lower, still in front) stance could be used while idle, as the title suggests.

Thanks again.

 

[Llew2]

All you'd need to do is change the idle animation so that the left arm wasn't hanging straight down.


Of course, it would mean that even if he didn't hold a shield his arm would be held crosswise, but it's a price you have to pay. Unless one of our brilliant scripter dudes could script a unique shield-only animation, but I'm pretty sure that's not possible.

 

[MarkQuinn]

Of course, it would mean that even if he didn't hold a shield his arm would be held crosswise

Yep, I didn't think of that.  Now that you mention it, I do recall how the shield is just attached to an otherwise bare, basic standing idle arm.

 

[Barf]

animating item_L bone has no effect on the shield?.

 

[GetAssista]

http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,91558.0.html

however there is persistent problem with shields not being helpful in blocking projectiles when in non-active position. Vanilla at least gives an explanation to this, with soldiers just being dumb and not holding their shield correctly

should be better for WB with passive blocking

 

[MarkQuinn]

http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,91558.0.html

however there is persistent problem with shields not being helpful in blocking projectiles when in non-active position. Vanilla at least gives an explanation to this, with soldiers just being dumb and not holding their shield correctly

should be better for WB with passive blocking

If I understand you correctly, you're saying that regardless of the animation, arrows will hit the soldier unless he's holding his shield up in a defensive position.  In vanilla, the shield is held back and away from the body, providing visual evidence as to why he's been hit by the projectile.  But if the shields were held in front and closer to the body, even when idle, it would give the appearance that most projectiles would be blocked.  When, in fact, they wouldn't be blocked and the arrow would go through a relaxed but "held up" shield, it would look just plain silly.

Personally, I could live with it as long as it didn't interfere with actual casualties.  If deaths and injuries would be the same regardless of the shield idle animation, it wouldn't bother me.  So much of this game, and all games, are an approximation anyway, that I could assume the bowman "approximately hit" my man.

 

[Knil]

How do the hitboxes work for the passive shield protection? Is it actually based on the location and size of the shield? So you you move the position of the arm in passive stance would it block arrows correctly in the new location? I'm guessing not. Also is it possible to modify the location or size of the passive block?