Does anyone know why there's no shields in this game?

[Vandala]

Does it just not fit the style of the game or has it just not been implemented yet?

By the way the inventory is shaped I expect shields to never be a thing, but does anyone know why?

[Hatsune_Neko]

The Dev said, No Shields
so there is no shields, its not part of what he wants in the game.

[Sol Lignum]

It's samurai-inspired, and as far as my knowlege goes, those brutal dudes never used shields.

[Vandala]

Alright, thanks for the answers guys.

[Sol Lignum]

(stuff )

I can't see how a lack of stirup can have anything to do with shields, but that's a version. I still assume it's just a cultural thing, that they just really couldn't come up with any good usecase scenarios.

The mere fact their industrial metal casting was behind European's for some reason, doesn't automatically mean their swords were dull and soft crap. What they were lacking in raw metal quality was compensated by craftsmanship, metal folding in particular, to get rid of impurities. So resulting weapon was no worse then what Europe has had at the comparable time.

[overtyped]

(stuff )

I can't see how a lack of stirup can have anything to do with shields, but that's a version. I still assume it's just a cultural thing, that they just really couldn't come up with any good usecase scenarios.

The mere fact their industrial metal casting was behind European's for some reason, doesn't automatically mean their swords were dull and soft crap. What they were lacking in raw metal quality was compensated by craftsmanship, metal folding in particular, to get rid of impurities. So resulting weapon was no worse then what Europe has had at the comparable time.

You are correct, at one point in time, the folding method and the europeon steel were close in quality.
of course it took far longer to fold, and less consistent quality.
The best japanese folded metal is only on par with the worst of the europeons.

However, you could create 10 times more with the europeons smelting method, leading to even samurai not being able to afford a sword for their sidearm. It is no wonder they glorify their swords so much, it's a status symbol.


As for shields not being used in japan, it was very much used everywhere.

[lucidmadness]

I'm trying a workshop mod called "shield animations" now. below is link

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 1405580422

[OopsLoops]

It's samurai-inspired, and as far as my knowlege goes, those brutal dudes never used shields.

I'm not want to deeply discuss it, already not talking about gameplay, so I do not. (and I am not an expert) But I would like to tell you this word that has been transmitted in Japan.

It is a word meaning the skill of a samurai, it is called "弓馬の道".(KyuBa no miti) it meaning is a horse and a bow.

Speaking of samurai, you can imagine swords, but the dignity of bow and arrow was actually higher as going back to the ancient times. (The battle of Genji and Heike was exactly the it generation) You can still see the heritage in "Yabusame" etc. (https://youtu.be/-7vs-ZuIViY , https://youtu.be/lzzvYzmBP9k)

As you already know, you can not hold a bow and arrow and a shield at the same time. but sure, there was a shield to lay on the ground to prevent arrows.

Even in those days spears and swords have never been ignore, but them be more important were on a later period. But I have heard that many causes of death in battle were due to bow and arrow in the age of Sengoku after that too. But I heard that Katana, which is regarded as a samurai's representative weapon, had a strong sense of self defense weapon. (Well, if it think so, maybe iai-jutsu is like something like a quickdraw of a Western horse opera)

oops, this is extra story has be long. I'm sorry.

[RedRunningFox]

I am ok with it either way, Shields or no shields. I do know from training martial arts that the Ninja schools did use shields, as a lot of their practitioners joined their knowledge when they escaped china's government changes at various times, brought their knowledge with them, so you find that the ninja were using "exotic" technology, such as hand grenades, mines, portable flack cannons (long before firearms arrived from the Portuguese traders). It wasn't commonly used publicly (because different marked you out and perhaps your a trouble maker) but they did utilize them, and they were usually a medium round shield, woven similarly to baskets (hats), with metal and leather covering, anti projectile rather than anti melee, designed to be discarded once you engage or have to flee the scene. As also mentioned above, there was also a method using portable placed shields, so you could gradually move troops up to walls protected by archers (to climb or sap) your archers would fire at the archers above, as they attempted to shoot your troops moving into position. A series of these shields allowed better protection, but yet again could be burnt if they weren't soaked with water (which made them heavier) but no one had worked out to use the "hot oil" approach and a few fire arrows like the Europeans had. its an interesting thing seeing how different cultures have used vital technology differently. If you look at the Mayans for example, they had knowledge of carts, wheels and that they could be used to lessen labour, we know this because the kids playing in the culture, had toys with wheels on them, models if you like, on the other hand because of where they lived, they used boats and canoes a whole lot instead. A lot of work to set up a cart and train an animal or slave to pull them, easier to get them to paddle the canoe for you I guess.

[TerrorofKenshi]

I am ok with it either way, Shields or no shields. I do know from training martial arts that the Ninja schools did use shields, as a lot of their practitioners joined their knowledge when they escaped china's government changes at various times, brought their knowledge with them, so you find that the ninja were using "exotic" technology, such as hand grenades, mines, portable flack cannons (long before firearms arrived from the Portuguese traders). It wasn't commonly used publicly (because different marked you out and perhaps your a trouble maker) but they did utilize them, and they were usually a medium round shield, woven similarly to baskets (hats), with metal and leather covering, anti projectile rather than anti melee, designed to be discarded once you engage or have to flee the scene. As also mentioned above, there was also a method using portable placed shields, so you could gradually move troops up to walls protected by archers (to climb or sap) your archers would fire at the archers above, as they attempted to shoot your troops moving into position. A series of these shields allowed better protection, but yet again could be burnt if they weren't soaked with water (which made them heavier) but no one had worked out to use the "hot oil" approach and a few fire arrows like the Europeans had. its an interesting thing seeing how different cultures have used vital technology differently. If you look at the Mayans for example, they had knowledge of carts, wheels and that they could be used to lessen labour, we know this because the kids playing in the culture, had toys with wheels on them, models if you like, on the other hand because of where they lived, they used boats and canoes a whole lot instead. A lot of work to set up a cart and train an animal or slave to pull them, easier to get them to paddle the canoe for you I guess.

This is just my two cents and i know next to nothing about this subject but it feels like there wasn't really "need" fr shields in actual combat since most of them fought "inward" enemies. As in with themselves. I believe that they did use shields against invaders or any other issue that required the use of a shield. It was a lot more situational than medieval europe and other places used it for.

[OopsLoops]

I talk about the world of Kenshi, I notice a lot of huge and dangerous wild animals. From those, we need to flee or defeat them, before we being eaten. Shields are not very useful for huge animals. Even if defend we will be crushed by them heavy weight. If it is an armor it may protect our body from heavy weight, even if treaded by an animal, it can prevent your arms from tearing off even if they are bite.

And, between the city and the city the wheels can not pass. There is no cart in this world. (There is no boat either) This is make a difficult for heavy arms. because of that, the amount of food and medicine that can be transported will be reduced, and the looted items will not be take to home.
(Of course food restrictions make as difficult the transportation by a large number of animals)

For these reason them did not want to use the shield naturally, and it was forgotten... maybe. So wearing armor to show them presence, brave who attracts attacks to himself. It became the basically tactics.

This way I can imagine and guess.