Handheld Shields

[Alterhugo]

This is a topic that keeps being searched, there have been a few mods for it but I wished there were a few physical handheld shields, there are many ways to avoid it being overpowered, it could have low health, increased stagger animation when blocking, require repair after X amount of shots, have the chance to be destroyed upon blocking depending on the user Melee skills, be effective only on shot from where the pawn is facing, etc. hence it is not something to be avoided, I really would like to be able to have playtroughs where pawns can defend themselves in the open and charge at the enemy armed with guns while being underdogs tech wise, I do not like being forced to rush tech to get shield belt which is not a mechanic that I enjoy or or to simply do as everybody does and get kill boxes and turrets, I would love to be able to fight face to face with my enemy in the open without being completely destroyed by some random but too frequent shot to a vital organ, I see it as a good mechanic if implemented right. There are many more reasons to do so if one pays head to the multiple requests with this petition/suggestion.

[Gemeciusz]

Or if someone could be a hero and just update this mod:

https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=728302374

That would be grand too.

[Swarx]

Zulu-style shields could make tribals more dangerous as well.

[DangitRandy]

Reminds me of the Assault Shield in Xenonauts.
http://xenonauts.wikia.com/wiki/File:Assault_Shield.png
I would love to see this become available in RimWorld!

[vzoxz0]

Shields would add weight, and give a bashing attack instead of whatever was in the left hand.

They should have a percentage chance to successfully defend against an attack, which then deals damage to the shield after the reduction from its armor value for that type.