Why are shields so pathetically small and thin?

Shawn_PT

I like them tiny. Combined with the fast paced combat it makes more sense to have a light maneuverable shield with which to parry and deflect instead of having a massive bulky one to just hold block and hide behind.

FearlessOne_2014

Partomax wrote: »

I understand this is a somewhat regular complaint but, since I haven't seen any improvements in the past years, my frustration has driven me to attempt to bring this issue to light once more.

Firstly I'd like to point out that I like many of the shield designs from recent motifs, that's not where the problem lies. The thing that bugs me is why they are so pathetically small and thin I end up using the larger, blander designs. I understand that there are historically many types of shields some of which were small such as the buckler, however, that doesn't seem like the kind of shield you'd want to bring into the kind of battle we take part in, even if it was though many of the designs look like they would fit a larger shield better. Also, since larger shields exist in the game I don't see a reason as to why they are so rare.

This bothers me a lot because I would love to use some of the great shield motifs that have been coming out but they are all so small that I don't feel good wearing them.

Does anyone actually enjoy the size of the shields? If so, why? I only hope you can change my mind.

Shields was over nerfed to make it even easier for our Stamina Overlords to rule over us. ZOS has been completely pushing stamina as the way to go. And to this end they have nerfed everthing about Magicka in both PvE and PvP so there is no contest between Magicka and Stamina.

Best to just accept ZOSes vision of Stamina for competitive play and Magicka for us role playing caster types. You don't believe you can looking at most of the PvP streams to witness it in PvP. And far as PvE goes... Well this'll tell the story about PvE....



https://www.esologs.com/

Play around with that site to see just how gimped Magicka is.

Suspect next year around this time going by ZOS's trend for the past 2 years. Magicka will not even be viable to complete basic vet DLC content.

SipofMaim

I agree with you OP, but it's yet another iteration of "options are good" - and the big ones have a lot of clipping issues, I'm not really surprised they've been going with dinner plates for a while.

Saw a very large DK tanking a dragon yesterday with one of the buckler-sized shields. He blocked the fire and turned the bites with that suggestion of a shield and the force of his will.

Wolfchild07

I agree, Bosmer need more large shields to sleep on during their travels.

Nyladreas

gatekeeper13 wrote: »

Well, in ESO we have full armored tanks that jump, roll doge and sprint faster than ninjas... So the small and tinfoil-like shields are not the weirdest thing in my opinion...

None of what you said is actually something to be limited while wearing full heavy armour even IRL. The hit to agility in full plate is very minimal.

dem0n1k

If crafting use the mercenary motif for shields.. they are HUGE!

ZarkingFrued

Because Zos wants them to be useless so they can usher in the age of the Plar. Sorc has fallen, and the Plar is now your new ESO god

max_only

Small character, huge shield. I don’t like the dinner plate shields either.

If I can’t do this, then what’s the point:

Morgha_Kul

Lumenn wrote: »

I feel your pain OP. Small shields have their place but when I'm thinking TANK(or even warrior) I'm thinking a big, hulking, scary shadowknight/paladin type. A hulking Nord that laughs at your efforts to hurt him and his group. (which is ironic as my tank in EQ was a halfling) it sucks when you're at the outfit table and finally get to the weapons and shields and it's...dinky shield, dinky shield, cool design but dinky shield.... Grr. On a side note 2h axes are the same. Limited.

Actually, this is a beef I have with more recent weapons, both one and two handed. They're absurdly gigantic or impractically complex. I mean, if the blade of the weapon is as long as your leg, it's NOT A DAGGER!

Lumenn

Morgha_Kul wrote: »

Lumenn wrote: »

I feel your pain OP. Small shields have their place but when I'm thinking TANK(or even warrior) I'm thinking a big, hulking, scary shadowknight/paladin type. A hulking Nord that laughs at your efforts to hurt him and his group. (which is ironic as my tank in EQ was a halfling) it sucks when you're at the outfit table and finally get to the weapons and shields and it's...dinky shield, dinky shield, cool design but dinky shield.... Grr. On a side note 2h axes are the same. Limited.

Actually, this is a beef I have with more recent weapons, both one and two handed. They're absurdly gigantic or impractically complex. I mean, if the blade of the weapon is as long as your leg, it's NOT A DAGGER!

While I agree with you on the dagger(it is, after all a sneakthief weapon) a 2h axe/sword/maul in the hands of a huge warrior/tank should strike fear. If it looks like I can duel wield a 2 hander or I raided my kids Halloween costume....it's just not cutting it. And yes, I know historically weapons were NOT 45-50lb monstrosities we see on Conan etc, but we're fighting dragons here.....

idk

Partomax wrote: »

idk wrote: »

This brings to mind the main story line when Mannimarco appeared to the companions in a large that life projections of himself Abnur Tharn said "He's obviously overcompensating for something."

But seriously, I guess for players who are challenged with good shield play a large shield might be better for them.

I was referring mostly to looks, I don't see how it would affect gameplay.

And Mannimarco was thinking about looks as well.

But seriously, the part of the comment you replied to had more to do with what would be actual shield play. That one would place the shield strategically to block the attack vs carrying around half a wall. Large shields would be great when you have a line of warriors carrying them to create a long barrier but they are pretty much the cannon fodder troops. Not the real warriors that have to be agile in combat.

But I get it. It is aesthetics. Some want a big shield and others want a big sword. It is personal taste. Gotta have fun with the topic.

Blackleopardex

I'm not gonna get into the discussion on what is realistic or not, I mentioned it in another thread discussing realism in this game is rather silly. I do enjoy the bigger shield and I also have ended up not using the new smaller ones even when they look great, this is just a personal preference, but I would like to see some of the coming motifs come out with big shield.

JPS

mustangmorgan31 wrote: »

It's not the size that matters, it is what you can do with it!

Only people with small shields claim that.

Guyle

Havel cosplay ftw

Emma_Overload

This not the Buff Sorcs thread I was hoping for

Partomax

Royaji wrote: »

As mentioned above, when you are running with sheathed weapons large shields clip through your head. A lot.

I find this significantly more jarring than just having smaller shields.

There are larger shields that don't do this ^^

The mercenary shield is a great example, it's the shield I use most often and it has a great size. If the game can work with that shield with no issues due to it's size then surely the other shields could be resized to about the same and still cause no problems.

MartiniDaniels

Emma_Overload wrote: »

This not the Buff Sorcs thread I was hoping for

I was preparing to link that 20k shields ultra glass cannon build of talfx

OP, big shields are unusable, they collide with hands, head, weapons, on all kinds of heights and races. I absolutely love new dragonguard shield (which is relatively big), but it took serious effort to make it look ok, including suboptimal colors to reduce visual collision.

Partomax

MartiniDaniels wrote: »

Emma_Overload wrote: »

This not the Buff Sorcs thread I was hoping for

I was preparing to link that 20k shields ultra glass cannon build of talfx

OP, big shields are unusable, they collide with hands, head, weapons, on all kinds of heights and races. I absolutely love new dragonguard shield (which is relatively big), but it took serious effort to make it look ok, including suboptimal colors to reduce visual collision.

Before I gave the example of the mercenary shield, which is quite big and works perfectly, the barbarian shield, amongst others. They wouldn't need to be better than that, and if those work then others would too.

Artorias24

I am fully in for bigger shields!

Like ebonheart, Daggerfall, dominion and so on. We have enough smal shields. Time for bigger ones.

themaddaedra

Just so you can use them as tea trays when you are not in combat. Oh wait...

Royaji

Partomax wrote: »

Royaji wrote: »

As mentioned above, when you are running with sheathed weapons large shields clip through your head. A lot.

I find this significantly more jarring than just having smaller shields.

There are larger shields that don't do this ^^

The mercenary shield is a great example, it's the shield I use most often and it has a great size. If the game can work with that shield with no issues due to it's size then surely the other shields could be resized to about the same and still cause no problems.

On a smaller female character most shields do that.

Partomax

Royaji wrote: »

Partomax wrote: »

Royaji wrote: »

As mentioned above, when you are running with sheathed weapons large shields clip through your head. A lot.

I find this significantly more jarring than just having smaller shields.

There are larger shields that don't do this ^^

The mercenary shield is a great example, it's the shield I use most often and it has a great size. If the game can work with that shield with no issues due to it's size then surely the other shields could be resized to about the same and still cause no problems.

On a smaller female character most shields do that.

I have a minimum height wood elf female and never experienced any problem with shields, regardless if there's a problem it should be fixed. Ruining shields as a workaround doesn't seem like a healthy solution.

idk

JPS wrote: »

mustangmorgan31 wrote: »

It's not the size that matters, it is what you can do with it!

Only people with small shields claim that.

Again, remember what Abnur Tharn said Mannimarco's large projection. "He's obviously overcompensating for something."

Enemy-of-Coldharbour

Why are shields so pathetically small and thin?

The same reason not all men are 'created equal'?

Grimm13

Nearly every piece of armor and weapons is reinforced with magicka. Those that are not are clearly inferior.

Discrepancies in perceived quality or lack of coverage within the metaphysics of Tamriel does apply the same as some beings from outside this dimension would think it does. There is no need to have head to toe coverage nor require items to be impossibly thick & heavy to achieve the same results.

nryerson1025

LOL the title got me

FierceSam

I just would rather they don’t trail along the ground like they just came out of my arse all the time.

Given there are some that are large, I don’t see why ZOS don’t make more large ones. A few styles would be really good.

Not everyone wants to look like the gladiator who lucked out and got a fork and a dishtray.

It’s like being the kid who got picked last at gladiator school.

deepseamk20b14_ESO

I specifically pick a smaller shield design for my more mobile character so it’s more like a buckler.

NotaDaedraWorshipper

I wish there was more small shields of the buckler variety. Most shields are "medium sized". I also wish a lot of weapons were smaller since plenty are too big and impractical.

WeerW3ir

we eneet better and bigger shields. phisically and magically too