Pavise: shield for Longbow rangers

"The pavise was primarily used by archers and crossbowmen in the medieval period, particularly during sieges. It was carried by a pavisier, who was usually an archer. The pavise was held in place by the pavisier or sometimes deployed in the ground with a spike attached to the bottom. While reloading their weapons, crossbowmen would crouch behind them to shelter against incoming missile attacks."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavise

EDIT: In retrospect, it would probably be good for trappers that use bows.

I think it is a intersting idea... but don't seem too fit in with the current GW.
You could always make a Ranger/Warrior, and switch between a shield and bow back and forth for somewhat similar effect. Another could be making a stance skills that give ranger duration of evasion against range attacks (which whirle wind defense kind fill that role too)


I think we still need a expertise bow.

Most good trappers don't use bows, they use staves. Only Oath Shot trappers should have bows.

Also, the idea of bow is that it is a two handed weapon. I agree, it's REALLY hard to fire a bow with only one hand (it's actually impossible, unless you use your feet).

Well it is possible that the shield could be on some sort of chain that keeps it draped over the back like the cape.

But, I don't see the ranger as being a standard archer and therefor not requiring this.

A buckler on the arm leaves you with the use of both hands.

Actionjack makes a good point, you can only use the pavise when you're not firing, so you have the exact same effect as a R/W when you switch to a shield.

However, if the Pavise was included, then it could only be used when you're not moving, and when you're not shooting arrows, that way it would become a viable offhand for when you need to activate preparations and such. That would be the only way I could think of in which you can include it into the GW mechanics without being too overpowering. And it makes that +armour while activating preparations a little more useful.

The problem is that the pavise should provide armour upon certain circumstances, so I would rather see it reduce damage while activating ranger non-attack skills and while you're not moving, but that explanation would be too long.

There is also a +Def bow mod...

I don't see it use with Ranger, but could see it use with a new proffession that use Crossbow or Muskets. Would add some intersting game play mechanic with extra def when not moving.

I completely missed the importance of this idea........ maybe my stomach is affecting my thought. Can someone repeat the significance of this.

In reality, most combatants deployed and wielded many weapons, from bow and arrow, Sword and Shield, or Throwing Spear, Pike, and perhaps some more advanced devices. I personally wish we had alot more attribute points so characters with multiple spell types and even multiple weapon types could be used effectively. An Immobile shield Prop in GW is an interesting idea, Paragon uses throwing spears and a long shield, but lets diminish the difference by granting Ranger some sort of make shift shield arrangement....

The ranger class is balanced with a 15-28 bow. If you were to add a shield, you'd have to make a nerfed bow of some sort to go with it (just like a hammer warrior gets better dps than axe or sword, but no shield to keep it balanced). In agreement with the previous posts, I always keep a gingerbread shield and defensive axe as a weapon switch on my ranger (casters too). It's always a good thing to have if you start pre-kiting too late.

Actually at 16 axe mastery, axes have better DPS than hammer or sword. Hammer can just do good spikes, although axes are really just as good, if not better. Hammers balance comes knockdowns, which neither axe nor sword can accomplish.

Make it a skill and i'd agree on it. Something along the lines of:

Pavise xxE, xxR, xC [E]
Skill
Based on expertise
For x-xx seconds you gain xx-xx AL and your skills recharge xx-xx% faster. This skill ends if you attack or move.

I like the idea of it being a skill.

Once cast, a sheild apears infront of you, fixed in the ground. Similar to that discribed by the OP.

Exorbing a given amount of damage from any projectile or hand-to-hand damage into shield. Reducing the damage you take.

Then after a given amount of time it expires.

Make it an elite skill. Have the amount of time it exists and damage it exorbs vary depending upon the points giving to it.

It would be good for laying traps, and creating spirits during battle. Or to protect you while laying down attacks.

If you want to have side-effects to using such a powerfull skill....

....make it so your fixed to that position until the skill expires, or

....your energy drops by a certain amount, for every second the shield exists. Or your energy regen is slowed down. Meaning you cant stand there and run off dmg+ skills one after the other.

Nice idea with the skills... that's something I definitely could see being implemented. Right now I cannot think of a skill that actually makes something propped up besides spirits.

Just make it a Pavise Nature Ritual.

I agree with dougal, make it a fast casting skill which ends on movement or attacking, but not action, so you can still prepare / trap / cast etc. Nice idea

Haven't heard of axes having higher DPS at 16 attribute than hammers. Got a link for the info?

It could be a ward type spell, where anyone using ranged weapons within the area of effect gains +armor while attacking. Sounds like it could work.

Setting up Shields or Barriers on the ground is territory for a new class, not an addition to ranger. Aside from the fact that Wards provide an even better effect on a group.

on the TV show Americas most talented this chick sould shoot a bow with her feet

honestly, better as a skill I think...