Shields carried on back : V - Skyrim

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:19 am

Carrying a shield across your back is no more complicated than carrying a bow across your back, and wouldn't take longer to equip. A shield can be carried in a single strap worn diagonally from one shoulder, across your chest to the other side underneath your arm. Very much like how you carry a bow by using the string as a carrying strap across your chest.

History doesn't agree with you. Medieval-style shields were strapped across the back using a tight-fitting (because anything loose would hurt like the dikeens) strap that wound through a central bracket, which was only used to hold this strap. The straps were unwound and discarded well in advance of any battle.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:07 am

As much as I don't care about realism in games where you can shout fire, this feature is purely cosmetic (and would make no sense). Yes, you would carry a shield on your back when you aren't expecting combat. But if you did get into combat, you'd be screwed, because your shield is on your freaking back. If you want it to be more "realistic" by putting the shield on your back out of combat, then you should be in favor of your character having to stop, perform some fun contortions trying to get the shield off, strap it on their arm, and then draw their weapon every time they get in a fight.

And if we're talking realism, where the hell is my character keeping all those potions, extra weapons and pieces of armour they're lugging about?

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:04 pm

There is a mod that does this, ... it may clip depending on the shield tho;

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9157

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:42 pm

And if we're talking realism, where the hell is my character keeping all those potions, extra weapons and pieces of armour they're lugging about?

In the Tardis DUH!

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:00 am

History doesn't agree with you. Medieval-style shields were strapped across the back using a tight-fitting (because anything loose would hurt like the dikeens) strap that wound through a central bracket, which was only used to hold this strap. The straps were unwound and discarded well in advance of any battle.

I think people forget that going into battle tended to involve marching somewhere and then getting ready. Not jogging around a mountain landscape suddenly being pounced on by sabre cats.

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:39 pm

History doesn't agree with you. Medieval-style shields were strapped across the back using a tight-fitting (because anything loose would hurt like the dikeens) strap that wound through a central bracket, which was only used to hold this strap. The straps were unwound and discarded well in advance of any battle.

You are correct, but I think we need to recognize at least two different ways of, and reasons for, carrying a shield on your back.

1. Across longer distances, like when marching towards a battle far away or traveling across the land, it makes perfect sense to secure your shield tightly to avoid any uncomfort because of the long distances and time you need to wear this huge and bulky thing on your back (since carrying it on your arm would make you tired after a while).

This way of carrying a shield on your back would require some time to get the shield ready, but is more comfortable.

2. When in a more-or-less friendly environment, like in a town where you don't expect to be attacked, or traveling shorter distances, it would make sense to have your shield slung across your back in a loose manner. This serves several purposes - not only does it protect your back from an unexpected attack, but it frees up one of your hands so that you are able to efficiently interact with your surroundings. Try browsing wares in a market with one hand tied up with a shield - it kind of makes it awkward when you're reaching for that coin purse, counting coins and holding the merchandise at the same time.

This way of carrying a shield on your back would not require much time to get the shield ready, but is slightly more uncomfortable since the shield may be moving more when you walk and do other things, but would still be bearable (get it?) over a more or less short amount of time.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:56 am

There is a mod that does this, ... it may clip depending on the shield tho;

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=9157

The mod is a little odd. Must be a workaround type mod or somesuch:

DISCLAIMER: This mod is only for cosmetic reasons!
You cab find those shields in the Weapon tab. However if you play an archer character you will most likely LAUNCH your shield from the back towards the enemy. The "shield" will be a quiver/arrow in this case. You can pick it up again, unless it gets destroyed on hit.
If this ever happens just type this in console, so you get the IDs to get your shield back.
help "on back" 0

So before you ask, this is basically a custom arrow with more damage and recoil than a normal arrow and not a shield as in armor. Once again THESE ARE NOT SHIELDS!

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:21 am

It's defiantly not pretty. Luckily I don't use shields