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Message: <blockquote data-quote="El Mahdi" data-source="post: 5722765" data-attributes="member: 59506">There are two main ways shields were held in medieval combat, with both forms existing contemporarily with each other. One is solely with a bar grip (attached on the inside of the shield over the boss), the other is with straps (known as "enarmes"). Both forms could be used with both round and kite shields, though bar grips were more common with round shields and enarmes more common with kite shields. There is the possibility of a third "hybrid" form of a bar grip with a strap (enarme) for the forearm, though this would probably have been quite rare. Along with the bar grip or straps, most shields would also have an attached long strap called a "guige". This is a strap that was worn diagonally across the back/chest (much like a military sling for a rifle) or across the shoulders/top of chest . This strap was used for carrying the shield while marching, or for stowing it quickly over the back during combat (eliminating the need to "drop" the shield - it was much more tactically sound to be able to retain your shield rather than just dropping it on the battlefield). Regardless of the games' rules, a shield that could not be released quickly if necessary would become a severe liability in combat. A trained warrior would not be that purposely stupid. Enarmes (straps) could be tightened for security and comfort, but no warrior would tighten them to the point they couldn't quickly slip their arm out. As seen in the accompanying picture, the use of enarmes also included padding along the inside of the shield, so that the force of blows would be mitigated and not be debilitatingly transmitted to the warriors arm. If the warrior was also wearing armor, this would decrease the transmission of blows to the arm even more.  To be more accurate (if one wants such an increase over the RAW):<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">a shield with only a bar grip should be able to be dropped as a free action.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">a shield with a bar grip and a guige should be able to be slung over the back quite quickly as a minor action.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">a shield with enarmes should only require a minor action to pull the arm free and drop.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">a shield with enarmes and a guige should require a standard action to pull the arm free and sling the shield over the back.</li> </ul><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50228d1320351979-dropping-shield-shields.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />  Shields with guiges (both round and kite). <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50229d1320363837-dropping-shield-shields-guiges.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50229d1320363837-dropping-shield-shields-guiges.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>  Round shield with bar grip and enarme (and also a guige). <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50230d1320363837-dropping-shield-round-shield-bar-grip-enarme-guige.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50230d1320363837-dropping-shield-round-shield-bar-grip-enarme-guige.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>  Guige worn diagonally across torso.<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50231d1320363837-dropping-shield-guige-worn-diagonally.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50231d1320363837-dropping-shield-guige-worn-diagonally.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a>  Guige worn across shoulders/top of chest. <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50232d1320363837-dropping-shield-guige-worn-across-shoulders.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachments/4e-discussion/50232d1320363837-dropping-shield-guige-worn-across-shoulders.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /></a></blockquote>

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