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I found this bit on shields when I was reviewing the rules for weapon ranges:

On Resolving Opening Volleys (page 41):

"If a target is aware of an incoming ranged attack (a warrior advancing to join a confrontation definitely would be) a shield doubles its modifier, as the carrier deftly protects himself.

I just thought that was pretty interesting and it eluded me, obviously, as I didn't retain it.

I must admit too that I discovered it quite a while after I started my own campaign

But I wonder if the term shield includes the buckler or not.

Besides the terms, the rationale is that while a shield or a great shield are actually used to cover a fighter's body, a buckler is used differently, as it is primarily meant to deflect incoming blows (and it would require incredible reflexes to actually deflect a volley shot).

Good to know... I'd probably include bucklers into the rule, it might not be the most realistic, but it is the most dramatically rewarding.

Michebugio wrote:I must admit too that I discovered it quite a while after I started my own campaign

But I wonder if the term shield includes the buckler or not.

Besides the terms, the rationale is that while a shield or a great shield are actually used to cover a fighter's body, a buckler is used differently, as it is primarily meant to deflect incoming blows (and it would require incredible reflexes to actually deflect a volley shot).

Based on that logic (which is accurate BTW) a buckler won't be of any good against ranged attacks.

While it makes sense not to include the buckler, given the general simplicity of the game's rules (and the fact that most players I know would interpret 'buckler' as falling under the umbrella of 'shield'), I'd allow it.

I would as well. Plus, I mean...a buckler is not insignificant in size; there is always a chance an arrow happens to fall in it's path.