Why are shields force fields?

[Ragratt]

not as bad as it was

 

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Even if you are shooting from a rooftop down on a guys head they hit their shields. Sure it happens that you get one to hit once in a while, but unless they are leaning way back it shouldn't hit their shield.

Its easy to shoot people in the face, especially Swadian shields.  Try shooting down a ladder and you can headshot them almost every time.

The shield forcefield is there to simulate the person moving the shield up/down, as right now the player has little control of the exact shield position.

 

[Ekardt]

YOU TOOK MY VERILY. WHAT IS THAT?!?

Hivemind man. Wasnt intentional.

 

[scythe111]

YOU TOOK MY VERILY. WHAT IS THAT?!?

Hivemind man. Wasnt intentional.

*Highfives*

... What?

 

[SupaNinjaMan]

The shield skill reduces damage to shields by 8% per level and improves shield speed and coverage.

 

[HugoC]

I can see durability and resistance- maybe. You learn how to block to make your shield last longer. Ok. But you can't make it bigger with yo MIND. (That's what she said! )

Since you don't have any ability to position your shield when you're using it to block, the shield skill represents you positioning your shield well to counter current perceived threats: raising it over your head when being shot down upon; keping an eye for incoming low shots and dropping your shield to cover it. It's not a perfect representation, and possibly shouldn't actually apply against archers, since small shields really aren't much use against arrers, but I think they use the same mechanic for all incoming blows, and it is possible IRL to defend your legs against a melee attack with a buckler.

Then there's the balance issue.

 

[MaHuD]

I've seen both, and I'd really like forcefield shields to be removed entirely.

That would be an all out archer fest.
Since they have reduced it, I am getting loads of hits in my toes, and I am also shooting others in their toes/legs a lot.
If it is removed it would just be either headshot after headshot or leg shot after leg shot. (Depending where one places his shield)

 

[HTAPAWASO]

How does that make any sense? No matter how "good" you are with your shield, it doesn't make it bigger. That's a bug if you ask me. (undesired effect)

The idea is that someone who is "good" with a shield can move it quick enough to block projectiles within a certain distance.

Balance-wise I think it is fine.
It's perfectly possible to shoot people in the feet with practice. Most dismounted horsemen (particularly nords and khergits) are incredibly easy to hit, all inf is possible, but much more difficult.


It's particularly good that foot shots do 1/2 damage - so buying good shoes makes these shots reasonably irrelevant, which is neat as it encourages people to spend their money on something other than body armour and weapons.

 

[Qwertyman]

just to point out that when sheilds had reduced 'force feild effect' in earlier beta (or none at all. i forget) archers dominated, they could just hail spam arrows at aproaching infantry and regardless of the targets shield, he was going down.

the 'force feild' simulates the soldier intercepting the arrow with his shield,  giving this to the player to control manualy would be rediculously hard, far easier to have it an automatic thing controlled by the character.