Scrap shields/Riot shields would be amazing

[Vyebrows 3]

I have read nothing of shields for DayZ yet and i really think it'd only benefit it. Society has devolved to hunters and gatherers and half the combat is melee so it makes sense that human ingenuity would allow for adapting car doors/signposts signs/wooden planks/ boards into defensive items. Melee weapons have the 'spacebar mode' where the weapon cannot be used and is raised in front of them, this mode would be perfect to toggle on/off 'shield mode' instead. As far as quality goes wooden would be lowest up to scrap metal shield and military grade riot shields as highest. One thing that i found really unimmersive about a zombie apocalypse is the lack of protection the survivors seem to take. Let me know what you think.

[ekd 13]

I don't think it would suit the nomadic behavior people should and probably will have in this game, once loot and zombie spawns are fixed.

Also, it would entirely change the way people fight, and not in a good way. Particularly in buildings.

Edited February 15, 2014 by ekd

[=fox= damocles 54]

If they implement the effect of item weight to SA (like in Epoch) then I don't really think this mechanic would work. I mean, have you tried carrying a car door over a long distance? You're talking around 34kgs just for that alone...

[oregonized 673]

I have read nothing of shields for DayZ yet and i really think it'd only benefit it. Society has devolved to hunters and gatherers and half the combat is melee so it makes sense that human ingenuity would allow for adapting car doors/signposts signs/wooden planks/ boards into defensive items. Melee weapons have the 'spacebar mode' where the weapon cannot be used and is raised in front of them, this mode would be perfect to toggle on/off 'shield mode' instead. As far as quality goes wooden would be lowest up to scrap metal shield and military grade riot shields as highest. One thing that i found really unimmersive about a zombie apocalypse is the lack of protection the survivors seem to take. Let me know what you think.

I have seen talk of shields and even brought it up myself.  I think it would make sense to make them from items like stop signs and scrap wood and the best ones would be the police/military riot shields.

[fundan@gmx.de 82]

I`d prefer mobility over shields any day - but that`s just me.

That said I hope a weight/fatigue system will be introduced and caryying a clunky shield will have downtimes.

[oregonized 673]

I`d prefer mobility over shields any day - but that`s just me.

That said I hope a weight/fatigue system will be introduced and caryying a clunky shield will have downtimes.

The weight/fatigue system will also make people carry less weapons.  Especially, those who carry a rifle on their back and one in their hands.

[Combine (DayZ) 247]

I can see various items to work as shields in a ditch or just things designed to be actual shields.

 

That trash can lid? Use it as a shield against melee weapons. (Police) riot shield? Likewise, but better. Both are not that heavy, but you might be restricted to a pistol or melee weapons that don't necessarily require two hands.

 

Now, what about heavy ballistic shields? Well, might be different, but likewise, no rifles and shields. So your increased protection comes at a price. More defense but less offense and / or mobility and certain more space taken, perhaps. As one would expect in reality.

[soulfirez 901]

yes there is a stamina system coming with weight being a major part of it so the shield would have major negatives to the user but obvously would have great rewards to. I dont know if they will add them but i wouldnt mind i mean if some one was coming at me with an axe id use anything i could for a shield hell even the old style dust bin lids that  are metal would make a semi decent shield ( well certainly better than wearing the axe in ya head...

 

So i guess i am a plus 1 for shields once the stamina system based on weight comes in ...

[Vyebrows 3]

I admit the car door idea is a stretch i was just remembering fallout but the idea of  needing to pushing into and check a building full of zombies with a few friends would otherwise consists of agroing and circle strafing single zombies as you kite them out which feels cheap and not very exciting compared to moving as a unit and having a shield bearer hold the horde at a staircase which your buddies check the nearby rooms upstairs, the shields durability lowering with each Zed attack. With the Zed/player count only going up the scarcity of firearms will probably make melee combat kind of needs more depth to it also.

Also, it would entirely change the way people fight, and not in a good way. Particularly in buildings.

I'd assume that it'd slightly lower bullet damage and absorb only a few melee hits but the player can't attack while blocking making it a more team-oriented item. You think people holding a doorway in a building would be a bad idea?

[Gekkonidae 270]

 You think people holding a doorway in a building would be a bad idea?

 

"There is nothing to see here! This is just another door that leads to another room without a human hiding behind it!" *please don't see me, please don't see me, please don't see me..* 

[Deathlove 2286]

I have read nothing of shields for DayZ yet and i really think it'd only benefit it. Society has devolved to hunters and gatherers and half the combat is melee so it makes sense that human ingenuity would allow for adapting car doors/signposts signs/wooden planks/ boards into defensive items. Melee weapons have the 'spacebar mode' where the weapon cannot be used and is raised in front of them, this mode would be perfect to toggle on/off 'shield mode' instead. As far as quality goes wooden would be lowest up to scrap metal shield and military grade riot shields as highest. One thing that i found really unimmersive about a zombie apocalypse is the lack of protection the survivors seem to take. Let me know what you think.

First they need to implement a better melee combat system than i could see stuff like t his pop up. It wouldnt be out of the question to find riot military/police shields in the appropriate buildings in fact they should have the standard clear ones than the rare more expensive 3 thousand dollar ballistic shields.

 

Here is a company that sells them by the way so you guys can get a basic idea of what they can look like. 

 

Here is for the standard ones: http://www.galls.com/riot-shields

 

These are the ballistic shields: http://www.securityprousa.com/bash.html?gclid=CNG6hIm5zrwCFQ_l7AodVzAAtg