evocation shields

[Hogeyhead]

So I'm reading the book and the wording for a shield says it lasts for a number of exchanges not rounds. Are exchanges the same thing as rounds or does it mean it can be only hit x number of times even if those are all in one round? If it lasts a number of attacks how long does it last if not attacked?

Also if your shield is a block and the enemy bypasses it does it still absorb part of the attack or does it all get through? Also on a tie who wins the attacker or the block?

[Taran]

Welcome

- An exchange and a round are the same thing.

- it can be hit many times in the same round/exchange but any attack that bypasses the block will bring it down...so it only stays up until overcome.

- It only last 1 exchange unless you spend shifts to make it last more rounds

- If a successful attack hits a block, you still roll to dodge and then you take the shield block or the dodge, whichever is higher.  The block replaces your dodge if it's higher, basically.

- A tie is a hit.  So a maneuver will be fragile and an attack will do weapon damage + 0 shifts extra.

Hope this helps

[Hogeyhead]

Thank you that answers my question and clarified the block rules, as my group was using it wrong.

[potestas]

Welcome

- An exchange and a round are the same thing.

- it can be hit many times in the same round/exchange but any attack that bypasses the block will bring it down...so it only stays up until overcome.

- It only last 1 exchange unless you spend shifts to make it last more rounds

- If a successful attack hits a block, you still roll to dodge and then you take the shield block or the dodge, whichever is higher.  The block replaces your dodge if it's higher, basically.

- A tie is a hit.  So a maneuver will be fragile and an attack will do weapon damage + 0 shifts extra.

Hope this helps

where is that you have to use the higher of the two shield or dodge??

[Taran]

Under blocks. 

I don't have my book right now.

How do you think it should work?

[PirateJack]

where is that you have to use the higher of the two shield or dodge??

There's no point in not taking the higher. Shields don't vanish if they successfully block something so there's no mechanical difference between dodge/shield if the attack is lower than both.

If the attack is higher than the dodge but lower than the shield, the shield blocks it and doesn't fail. If the attack is higher than the shield but lower than the dodge, you successfully get out of the way and the shield doesn't take the hit (at least, that's how I'd run it).

If the attack is higher than both, use the higher as the block value and dismiss the shield.

Simple.

[Taran]

where is that you have to use the higher of the two shield or dodge??

Blocks YS pg 210

One advantage of a block is that it allows
two players to “stack” rolls to prevent something
from happening. If your character is protecting
someone from attacks, that person technically
gets two chances to resist an attack—their own
automatic defense roll and the block strength.
If either one manages to beat the attack, that
person suffers no stress. If neither roll beats the
attack, the higher of the two totals may mitigate
the effects somewhat.

Emphasis mine.  Sorry it took so long.