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EEWorzelle · 08-27-2003, 04:50 PM

Yeah, rodeoclown, it is a tradeoff situation.

I sometimes equip my Rangers and Gadgeteers with shields (I love shields in this game), but you cannot use one when a ranged weapon (other than one-handed throwing) is equipped and is the current weapon.

The Ranger can use a variety of weapons, but you have some hard decisions to make. You can equip them with a sword or axe, that is one-handed and can be used with a shield, but you will need to develop some skill to get much benefit from that.

The shield will only protect you when it is in the current slot. When you have a shield equipped with a sword or axe, but your Bow or Omnigun is your current weapon, it does nothing.

Another problem with a melee weapon and shield for the Ranger or Gadgeteer is practice. If you keep them out of harms way as much as possible, that means you won't get the combat experiences that would otherwise increase your weapon and Shield Skill.

I guess this post adds up to "yeah it really is the way you think it is", but I empathize with your dilemma.

One suggestion, perhaps for another game. I have been doing some analysis recently, for something I am writing, and Dexterity, point for point, gives a huge benefit to the effectiveness of ranged attacks, including for Modern Weapons. When you max Dexterity, it opens the Expert Skill of Reflextion. This is not my favorite Expert Skill, because all it does, apparently, is give a few AC of extra protection, but maybe that is all you need to keep the rate of hits and damage down in those characters, so they die and need to be healed less often. It could be good strategy all around.

[ 08-27-2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]

08-27-2003, 04:50 PM	#2
EEWorzelle Manshoon Join Date: October 25, 2002 Location: Gilbert, Az Age: 73 Posts: 234	Yeah, rodeoclown, it is a tradeoff situation. I sometimes equip my Rangers and Gadgeteers with shields (I love shields in this game), but you cannot use one when a ranged weapon (other than one-handed throwing) is equipped and is the current weapon. The Ranger can use a variety of weapons, but you have some hard decisions to make. You can equip them with a sword or axe, that is one-handed and can be used with a shield, but you will need to develop some skill to get much benefit from that. The shield will only protect you when it is in the current slot. When you have a shield equipped with a sword or axe, but your Bow or Omnigun is your current weapon, it does nothing. Another problem with a melee weapon and shield for the Ranger or Gadgeteer is practice. If you keep them out of harms way as much as possible, that means you won't get the combat experiences that would otherwise increase your weapon and Shield Skill. I guess this post adds up to "yeah it really is the way you think it is", but I empathize with your dilemma. One suggestion, perhaps for another game. I have been doing some analysis recently, for something I am writing, and Dexterity, point for point, gives a huge benefit to the effectiveness of ranged attacks, including for Modern Weapons. When you max Dexterity, it opens the Expert Skill of Reflextion. This is not my favorite Expert Skill, because all it does, apparently, is give a few AC of extra protection, but maybe that is all you need to keep the rate of hits and damage down in those characters, so they die and need to be healed less often. It could be good strategy all around. [ 08-27-2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]