Shield Bashing vs Shield Checking

[Administrator]

I'm posting this to the nat'l boards too but I have faith that someone in Hydra (or Hydra kin!) will be able to help me. I'm really trying to get the Book of War under my belt. Just not literally because then I'd be lumpy.

I understand the difference between Shield Bashing and Shield checking - distance - but I don't understand the point of differentiating between the two in the Book of War. Is one more acceptable? Are there specific situations for each? If not, do we need to define them separately? For reference, I'm looking at section 3.5.

Thanks for any insight!

[Grendel]

I would guess purely because bashing is the more dangerous of the two they want a seperate definition.

[Administrator]

But it doesn't discourage bashing. It just defines it.

[Kayle]

The distance isn't the only thing that differs. The situations for doing either can be different and have a different effect. For example typically with a bash you are attempting to break through someone or knock them to the ground whereas a fighter would use a shield check to pin another fighter's arms and equipment against their body. Often times a shield check can also be used to use the edge of the shield to punch an opponent to knock him off balance.

[Administrator]

Right, but my point is for the rules. Why is there a difference explained in the Book of War but not *why* there is a difference. What is the relevance to the rules?

[Big Friggin Jimmy]

There was a topic on the boards about this before (Board troll power, ACTIVATE!).

If I remember correctly, at some point the BoW was transcribed, and when this happened some rules were fuddled a little bit, this was one of them.

I know for a fact that there used to be a rule that said bashing only from the front/side, and checking from the back. This rule disappeared.

So, yah, there used to be a rule that said there were situations where you could check but not bash, but when it disappeared the definitions were left.

[Sir Beauregaurd]

i still believe that a check from teh rear is legal and a bash from the rear is not.

bash is more than 2 steps, which is pretty much like running. dangerous from the rear.

a check is less than 2 steps and does more to unsettle a person then anything else. much safer. i am pretty sure that i check often and nearly never bash.

[Administrator]

I think Jimmy's the closest without going over...

I really thought exactly what you're saying Mr. Implacable, but according to the BoW:
3.5.4.3 A person may not Bash or Check an opponent's rear quadrant. Shield pushing or incidental contact in an opponent's read quadrant is allowed.

I don't mean to become a rules lawyer, I'm just really confused about this and I want to really know the BoW. You know, in a biblical sense.

[Sir Beauregaurd]

oops i am wrong but only in a rules lawyering way. my practice is perfectly fine, but i used incorect wording. Sorry for the misinformation.
i think jimmy is right, it is a old rule long since out dated and not applicable to the game today.

[Big Friggin Jimmy]

I'll make sure to print the BoW on my tabard Scrapper

[Sir Peregrine]

bigjimmy said:

I'll make sure to print the BoW on my tabard Scrapper

that should be on all heralds tabards.