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8th Ed. Is there a logical reason shields are only for javelin users?

Discussion in 'House Rules' started by Scalenex, May 12, 2015.

  1. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    Skink shields are fairly similar to buckler shields. I figure a Skink with a blowpipe or bow or could still fire their weapon with a small shield strapped to their wrist.

    I think the reason javelins beat blowpipes is mostly the free shield. What if Skinks cost one point less, but had to buy shields for a point...and anyone could buy them?
     
  2. NexS1
    Carnasaur

    NexS1 Well-Known Member

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    because pipe blowing take a whole lot of concentration.


    Or something..
     
  3. NexS1
    Carnasaur

    NexS1 Well-Known Member

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    p.s. I would. for 2 reasons.

    1. they're modelled that way
    2. they're shields
     
  4. NIGHTBRINGER
    Slann

    NIGHTBRINGER Second Spawning

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    For small units I think I would mostly pass on the shields and save some points. It would make the units even more expendable. For Shrox or larger "combat" cohort, the shield is a good little upgrade.
     
  5. borkbork
    Ripperdactil

    borkbork Active Member

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    Well, i think it may be out of "historical" convention (although this may be given too much credit to GW) because as far as I know historically the blowpipe has never been used in combination with a shield (as it is primarily a hunting weapon). Also the blowpipes used by skinks are rather smallish compared to real blowpipes, which are usually longer than the person shooting it. You really need to use both hands to keep it steady to properly aim, and then a shield, even as small as a buckler can have real negative effects on your aim.

    Have been shooting with a blowpipe during a holliday in Malaysia once. The basics are not increadably difficult to learn, and you will hit a target (ca. 50-70 cm diameter) at ca. 10 meters (or slightly less) distance without too much practice. However, to really hit something at greater distances becomes rediculously difficult, and the smallest unsteadyness in you aim will result in very large deviation from the target.

    and about the shields in the game, i would probably take them on skirmishers as well. Yeah, they should be expendable, but i think the shields can really help to win the chaff war, as a -1 to hit (skirmish) combined with a 5+ AS can is quite helpfull against light shooting.
     
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  6. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    @borkbork, I think you got something there. Normally GW oversizes the weapons, but the blowpipes on their models are more like straws than weapons. I can picture a Skink with a buckler and a short bow, but not them with a buckler and a real blowpipe, unless they were a buff and masterfully trained chief.
     
  7. NIGHTBRINGER
    Slann

    NIGHTBRINGER Second Spawning

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    That is awesome! Sounds like it must have been a lot of fun to practice with such a unique weapon.
    I see your point, but I'd prefer to have more bodies in the form of another unit instead. At that point, if my opponent is using his/her shooting to kill my 6pt skirmishers... no problem.
    That's true. But at least they aren't any more of a nightmare when they got to rank up... those damn tails are bad enough! Imagine having to deal with giant blowpipes as well.
     
  8. Slanputin
    Carnasaur

    Slanputin Well-Known Member

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    Because there's a long standing rivalry between the javelin and blowpipe skinks, and the Blowpipe Boys think shields are for pansies.

    *insert @spawning of Bob image here:
    "Javelins!"
    "Blowpipes"
    ad nauseum*

    ...

    But also, trying to quickly and efficiently pop darts into a blowpipe with a shield strapped to your arm sounds like it could tfiddly and cumbersome in the heat of battle.
     
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  9. Slanputin
    Carnasaur

    Slanputin Well-Known Member

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    Because there's a long standing rivalry between the javelin and blowpipe skink, and the Blowpipe Boys think shields are for pansies.

    *insert @spawning of Bob image here:
    "Javelins!"
    "Blowpipes"
    ad nauseum*

    ...

    But also, trying to quickly and efficiently pop darts into a blowpipe with a shield strapped to your arm sounds like it would be fiddly and cumbersome in the heat of battle.
     
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  10. pendrake
    Skink Priest

    pendrake Well-Known Member

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    I just want skinks to suddenly remember that they knew how to use bows for eons... Ya know? The same way they suddenly forgot they knew how to use bows at the 5/6 boundary layer... :sour::meh:
     
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  11. borkbork
    Ripperdactil

    borkbork Active Member

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    Yeah, i was great fun indeed. However, i would make a horrible skink, as i kinda suc.......well, let me put it differently...i am not really a natural talent with the blowpipe. :)
     
  12. NIGHTBRINGER
    Slann

    NIGHTBRINGER Second Spawning

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    Practice makes perfect.
     
  13. Fhanados
    Terradon

    Fhanados Well-Known Member

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    Funnily enough I'm pretty sure there's a metal skink model of a guy with a blowpipe and shield...
     
  14. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    I own two of them. It's officially a skink chief you are talking about.
     
  15. borkbork
    Ripperdactil

    borkbork Active Member

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    Ok, and why haven't you posted a pic of them yet? ;)
     
  16. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    Cause one is completely unpainted and one is barely begun with painting.
     
  17. NIGHTBRINGER
    Slann

    NIGHTBRINGER Second Spawning

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    Maybe you can commission @Scolenex to paint them. :panda:
     
  18. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    Scolenex lives too far away.
     
  19. borkbork
    Ripperdactil

    borkbork Active Member

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    Well stop posting, and hurry up that painting ;)

    I was just curious what the model looked like.
     
  20. Slanputin
    Carnasaur

    Slanputin Well-Known Member

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    Is thissun the one you were talking about?

    [​IMG]

    So what's the logic for why he has a shield and the others don't?

    erm....

    Being a Chief he's more adept at the blowpipe and thus can wield a shield without making handling the darts a fiddly exercise?
     
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