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[omg_scout]

Shields have a higher chance to block 20% instead of 10% I think, besides that, not much of a difference, except weight

If so, what is the skill Shield User implemented for?

[Random_Dragon]

Shields have a higher chance to block 20% instead of 10% I think, besides that, not much of a difference, except weight

If so, what is the skill Shield User implemented for?

I'm guessing that he meant that shields have a higher base chance to block than bucklers. Shield User skill improves upon it. I'd certainly bet on a legendary shield user with a buckler over an untrained user with a shield.

[javierpwn]

Shield user increases base chance to block
Legendary shield users block almost every projectile EVER
It also lessens the burden of holding shields
Shield bashing is miscellaneous item skill
And bucklers do less bashing damage
(In real life, bucklers are tiny shields!)

[Owlbread]

Historically, bucklers seem to have been more of a fencing tool than anything else; having been used for such purposes as to hide where your sword hand was positioned, forcing your opponent to guess where your next strike is going to be. Bigger shields on the other hand would be used to protect you from arrows, among other things. I will show you some info from the wikipedia page:

The buckler was more widely used than is commonly known. It was a simple yet effective weapon, often combined with a short sword, falchion, or rapier. It was popular circa 1100 to 1600. The buckler had a variety of roles when it came to swordplay, but five principal means come to the fore as described in MS I.33. Each use recognizes the shield's small size and maneuverability when dealing with light blades.

    Hand protection: The primary use of the buckler was to protect the sword hand.

    Deflector: The buckler's lightness and curved center made it excellent for deflecting attacking blades.

    Blinder: The light blades used in conjunction with the buckler depended on rapid movements, which meant that a single second was an important advantage. The wielder of the buckler could use the buckler to shield his sword-hand's position from view, keeping his opponent from guessing his next strike.

    "Metal fist": A buckler could be used to directly attack an opponent by punching with either its flat face or its rim.

    Binder: The buckler could be used to bind an opponent's sword hand and weapon as well as their buckler against their body. The buckler was also very useful in grappling, where it allowed an opponent's arms to be easily wrapped up and controlled.

I've also got an excellent page here with information about the various types of medieval shields and their uses. Here is the link:

http://www.mercwars.com/shieldtypes.shtml

I'll give you a taster of the kind of stuff they say:

Buckler

Pros: Quick and light, allows for a wide range of off-hand grappling maneuvers, easily constructed and easily found for purchase. Many historical treatises still exist detailing systems of sword & buckler usage. Does not block line of sight very much. Easily carried at hip.
Cons: Small surface area; beginners may tend to flail with it. Not as easy to display heraldic designs. Proper use can be counter-intuitive and difficult to learn without proper training.

Perhaps an interesting suggestion could grow from our discussion. I'm already thinking of suggesting that we add many more types of shield to the game for different purposes; teardrop shields being used for cavalrymen for example. Kite shields could for your swordsdwarfs as they come under arrow fire, but bucklers would be used when they go up against the goblin swordsmen or axemen in close melee combat. Your crossbowdwarves could be covering your melee fighters behind their pavises. You could even end up with Dwarves going up against a castle filled with Goblin archers, looking a bit like this:

I suppose it would all become a question of balance between wide-spread protection and maneuverability, and each type of shield would represent a particular bar on that scale.

Historically, small, round targes were used during the Jacobite Rebellions in Scotland back in the 1600s-1740s against government troops; the highlanders would charge with their guns, fire them at the enemy, throw their guns to the ground then spring on the government forces with their small shields and broadswords. They'd use the targes to deflect blows from bayonets while they chop with the other hand. Maybe the same principle could be applied to fighting against pikemen and spearmen.