Two-handed weapons and a shield?

[Dieterdg84]

I'm trying to find any specific rule about this in the official rulebook, but I can't seem to find it anywhere:
Are heroes allowed to use a 2-hander combined with a shield?

My common sense would say no.. but was wondering what everyone else thinks on this.
Or maybe only allow a spear with shield? Since those aren't as heavy..

Did they specifiy it somewhere in the book? The rules are scattered all over the place ... quite easy to miss.

[The Admiral]

I don't think the rules actually define a two handed weapon. The Battle axe can't be used with a shield. As we assume the Battle axe is a two handed weapon, we can further infer from the restriction that shields are not allowed with two handed weapons.

The rules don't approach the situation like this, they just say what weapons can't be used with a shield. The Equipment cards tell you whether a specific weapon can be used with a shield. If you introduce weapons yourself you will have to decide for yourself if they can be used with a shield, and a good guide from the Battle axe card would be no.

There are also house rules you can make yourself. For example, the rules allow a shield with a crossbow, but I personally consider the crossbow to be a two handed weapon and so don't allow it to be used with a shield, but that's just me.

[Dieterdg84]

I don't think the rules actually define a two handed weapon. The Battle axe can't be used with a shield. As we assume the Battle axe is a two handed weapon, we can further infer from the restriction that shields are not allowed with two handed weapons.

The rules don't approach the situation like this, they just say what weapons can't be used with a shield. The Equipment cards tell you whether a specific weapon can be used with a shield. If you introduce weapons yourself you will have to decide for yourself if they can be used with a shield, and a good guide from the Battle axe card would be no.

There are also house rules you can make yourself. For example, the rules allow a shield with a crossbow, but I personally consider the crossbow to be a two handed weapon and so don't allow it to be used with a shield, but that's just me.

Thanks for your reply!
I'm talking about Games Workshop's Advanced Heroquest. I think you are referring to the normal MB / Avalon Hill Heroquest?

[The Admiral]

I was indeed.

[ampersand]

lol you aint wrong... doesnt mention it anywhere. i guess in nature of playing we all just make the assumption on what is a 2 handed weapon, however there really is no rule!

i play slevs ruleset so havent looked at vanilla for a while, and slevs ruleset does have it covered, i guess its just something you take for granted... still its only taken 30 years for someone to point this out to me ahaha

[Dieterdg84]

I asked the same question on the AHQ BGG forums and got a pretty good response there that makes sense:

I think if the weapon is called "Double-Handed" you shouldn't be able to use a shield. I would say any weapon that requires Strength less than 5 you can also use a shield. In the Terror in the Dark expansion the Human Man-At-Arms character sheet has a halberd AND a shield, even though you would expect a halberd to need two hands.

I'm going for this approach.

[b_0]

The chaos champions use two handed weapons and shields:

Screenshot from 2024-07-09 13-37-16.png

Screenshot from 2024-07-09 13-38-36.png

The men at arms are depicted with halberds and shields in the core rulebook, though the info says they have sword and shield:

Screenshot from 2024-07-09 13-40-06.png

In Terror in the Dark, they are pictured with sword and shield, but the info says they have halberd and shield.

[Thanquol]

The official Advanced Heroquest (AHQ) rules strongly implied that when wielding two-handed weapons (or bows) it wasn't really feasible for the Hero to wear (benefit from) a shield at the same time.

NB: The generic AHQ 'Chaos Champion' can wield two-handed weapons in one hand, which is clarified in the official rules, e.g. 'Terror in the Dark' (page 62). Plus he can use shield, in other words it's further proof shields aren't really meant to be usable by Heroes when wielding two-handed weapons.

Traps damage sections in the AHQ Rulebook, e.g. (page 34) also imply similar restrictions.

The Henchmen models' plastic shields were removable and mainly for cosmetic and identification purpose only. However, I personally could imagine with a long thrusting polearm type weapon or spear wearing a light shield would be semi-feasible (if defensive penalties were applied). [Thinking about it, in AHQ spears are possibly dual-purpose for handedness and melee, e.g. allowable to be used with one hand in hand-to-hand combat or at least not have an equipped shield interfere too much.]

Furthermore, in the AHQ Rulebook [page 38] "Men-at-Arms" actually wielded a sword, and equipped a shield. Even though the drawing of them showed a halberd like weapon, which was presumably to match the generic "standing guard stance" supplied plastic Henchmen models.

However, ironically I believe (as was mentioned above) the "Human Man-at-Arms" Henchmen in 'Terror in the Dark' had a photographed model with a Sword, but listed Halberd as the weapon, and shield also listed. The "Halberd" would likely be "Double-Handed" due to its profile and extra diagonal reach.

Greatswords

Within AHQ, the few Greatswords that appeared don't seem to follow any AHQ rules. One uses the "Double-Handed Sword" size-and-damage profile – no shields allowed – and damage output, Fumble and Critical chances, etc. However, greatswords are being wielded while wearing a shield.

White Dwarf issue: 125 (May 1990), The Dark Beneath the World (page 30)
"ALDRED FELLBLADE [...] wields a two-handed greatsword"
He also uses a shield; he cannot possibly use the shield – in AHQ – with a Greatsword. It's using the "Double-Handed Sword" profile; it's not a magical sword and is giving him (Fumble: 1–2, Critical: 11–12, 7 Damage).

Furthermore, let's then look at the Greatsword "White Reaver" [White Dwarf issue 150 (June 1992) The Changing Faces of Tzeentch (page 42)] similar "issue", i.e. possibly it is a two-handed profile sword being used with a shield. Used by: Alaric von Loth, Undead Champion.

See also: Room K (page 47) "[...] greatsword: White Reaver ..."

It's a "greatsword", which can strangely be used with a shield. A Double-Handed Sword (Strength 6) would do 5 Damage dice. Either the Skeleton is super-strong and unnaturally-infused like a Chaos Champion and can wield two-handed weapons in one hand; or else the rules are wrong, or misleading, and the "1 Free attack" was wrongly included in that "5 damage" for a plain one-handed sword, i.e. non-greatsword. No Critical range was included either. Thus, suggesting it also got mislabelled with "greatsword" in the quest notes; for fantasy wordplay reasons only, and not actual AHQ game play mechanics. (He was infused, but it's too hard to determine exactly how with regards to the sword's damage, since it's missing vital information.)

Or an alternative theory; it [sword] also had a +1 infused Strength bonus, and was a plain sword profile, which contradicts other things... The magazine certainly was far too ambiguousness with describing White Reaver.

Conclusion

Your Character probably shouldn't be able to benefit from a shield whilst wielding, for example a heavy Double-Handed Sword. Because it'd cramp their fighting ability manoeuvring, and potentially give an "unfair bonus" (balance) to Toughness (or another unique magical bonus effect advantage if the shield had further magic properties beyond just plain armour [Toughness] improvements).

[Thanquol]

For posterity and Necromancy reasons, etc.

Advanced Heroquest: Terror in the Dark (Page 62)

CHAOS WARRIOR AND CHAOS CHAMPION

[...] The rulebook also shows the Chaos Champion as using a Double-handed Axe and a shield. This is not an error; the Chaos Champion is so unnaturally consumed with the energies of the depraved power he worships that he can use this great weapon in only one hand, even though any ordinary man would need two to heft and strike with it! ...

UK, White Dwarf issue: 125 (May 1990), The Dark Beneath the World (Page 30)

ALDRED FELLBLADE

[...] He wears battered plate mail of the highest quality and wields a two-handed greatsword from which he takes his name. ...

Strength: 8
Weapon: Two-handed Sword
Damage Dice: 7
Fumble: 1–2
Critical: 11–12

Armour:
Plate
Shield ...

UK, White Dwarf issue 150 (June 1992) The Changing Faces of Tzeentch (Page 42)

ALARIC VON LOTH

Strength: 6
Damage Dice: 5
Critical: [value is not mentioned and completely unknown]
Equipment Notes: Shield, Magical sword (White Reaver) 5 damage dice, No fumbles, 1 free attack each round, Fearsome monster.

UK, White Dwarf issue 150 (June 1992) The Changing Faces of Tzeentch (Page 47)

ROOM K

[...] Alaric counts as an Undead Champion (see AHQ reference sheet) [...] he wields his greatsword White Reaver. His damage dice are therefore five not four. White Revear's magical power means that it never fumbles and allows an automatic free attack every round. ...

Notes: Yes, I know Aldred Fellblade was loosely based upon the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay version of him nonetheless he's erroneously got equipped both a "Two-handed Sword" and shield, within AHQ. AHQ doesn't have a special Templar of Sigmar mechanic; if it did, then potentially it might have allowed for the discrepancy of why he could parry normally, and equip a shield.

[Thanquol]

Halberds are two-handed polearms that need stabilisation for "push" of both hands in real life. The weight of a pike-like weapon would make continually wearing a normal sized shield on the left arm mostly impractical (other than to block stray arrows). Perhaps a buckler size shield would be semi-useable.

Wearing a shield with a halberd in use would be too cumbersome mainly due to the weight of any downwards thrust of the long-reach weapon. However, carrying a small shield could be used for later close-quarter combat with swords and axes.

Like was mentioned prior a one-handed spear could be a classed as an AHQ "long reach" weapon that was allowable to be used conjunction with a shield. Within the AHQ rules it doesn't strictly say spears require both hands for melee. Plus they can be thrown as they are considered light. Thus, it'd make sense wearing a shield would be permissible while thrusting with a generic spear held in hand.

It's looking like Games Workshop made another mistake somewhere with the Henchmen equipment stating "Halberd" in Terror in the Dark. Or didn’t stipulate they carried a shield on their backs; in case they later had the opportunity to equip a one-handed weapon. I rest my case.