I'm wanting to start a fantasy game, and truth be told I'm torn between three systems. I'm kind of going by the book here, which is my preference to begin (although I've been playing Cthulhu for 20 years or so).
I am not planning on splitting attack and parry, and am not planning on weapon skills over 100% - although I'm open to considering either if it resolves my quandary.
As is, I don't know why a player would divide points between weapon and shield rather than weapon and dodge.
Against melée attacks, presumably the weapon skill would be higher and therefore better to parry with than a shield. No advantage shield.
Against thrown attacks, it's full dodge skill or full shield parry skill - no advantage shield.
Against missile weapons, it's half dodge or 15/30/60% with shield. I can see if you compared having a low dodge skill to carrying a huge shield then shield might have an advantage... But what about the small/regular shield or if you can afford a dodge of 60% or higher?
The benefits of shield seem limited, considering it was a soldier's staple.
Take full action to kneel behind it to avoid missiles
Use it to attack and push - although then it gets compared to carrying two weapons
It has more HP if somebody tries to break it, although if they are trying to intentionally break something you think they'd choose to damage your weapon instead
Wait...am I missing a rule about regular parrys possibly damaging the weapon? That would make sense so you would parry melee attacks with a shield rather than risking damaging your weapon. Mind you, I could just dodge everything and parry nothing.
Maybe I'm just not putting it together properly in my head. Little help, please?