Shields in Close Combat

A shield becomes a potentially
deadly nuisance in close combat. It
still provides its Defense Bonus, but it
hampers you while you wear it.
Any attack you make in close com-
bat – except for the initial slam, attack,
etc. when you first move into the foe’s
hex – has a penalty equal to the
Defense Bonus of your shield! Any DX
roll you attempt in close combat after
your first turn of close combat has the
same penalty.
It takes a one-turn Ready maneu-
ver and a successful DX roll to get rid
of your shield in close combat.