[RPG] Does the defense bonus from shields stack with cloaks

defenseequipmentgurpsgurps-4e

In Gurps (4th Edition), does the DB given from a shield stack with the DB given from a cloak? If so, isn't it possible to raise your dodge skill untouchably high?

Default dodge of 8 plus 2 from a light shield plus 2 from a heavy cloak means you dodge on a 12 (~70% of the time). All-out dodging (additional +2) would mean you dodge on 14 (a whopping ~90% of rolls).

Best Answer

This is answered in the Official GURPS 4th FAQ 3.4.1.11..

A cloak is used like a shield – as implied by both the Cloak skill write-up and the cloak's listing under Shields (p. B287). It gives DB only when partly wrapped around one arm or held in one hand, and then used to brush incoming weapons aside (either on its own or by padding the hand enough to allow it to assist) and to partly obscure the body from frontal attackers. Worn on the back, it doesn't do much at all. Well, a heavy cloak might add +1 to DR from the rear, but there's no DB.

In any event, you can only benefit from one source of handheld DB, whether it comes from a shield per se, a buckler, or a cloak. These things never "stack."

Related Topic