no shields but a tremendous amount of armour, are practicly invulnerable to archers and only somewhat vulnerable to slingers. Conversely, a unit with no shield but with decent armour (like Prodromoi) are more vulnerable to slingers than archers. Units with big shields but very few armour, like those Celtic spear militias, are very vulnerable to decent archers. A unit that has both decent armour and a decent shield (3 to 5 points) is well protected against all forms of missiles. Whichever is the case, shield bonus works tremendously well against slingers. Another theory is that when a missile hits, the hit-chance is first calculated against the shield bonus and secondly against the armour. I'm not entirely sure if this is the case. *there's been speculation that a shield bonus of +1 is actually more effective then +1 armour when countering missiles in general. Since both the primary and secondary weapons of these cavalry units are armour piercing, the Hetairoi will most of the time win against Hellenic cataphracts. They have better armor, deal more damage and are even more effective at combating. I'm not sure what the formula in RTW is.ДЇor comparison: Hetairoi and Hellenic cataphracts are very similar units the only stat difference is that Hetairoi has less armour but compensates this with extra defense skill, leading to an equal amount of 'defense points' total. Longbeards - this is basically the upgraded version of the Dwarf Warriors. In the first Medieval: total war it provided roughly 1 attack point for every two points of armour. I suspect that if a unit is charged from the rear the defense skill will initially not apply since the unit has its back turned towards the attacker.ДЄrmour piercing effect partially counters the defense bonus from the enemy's armor with an attack bonus. defense skill: I think, but am not entirely sure, that it decreases with fatigue. shield bonus always works from the left and front sides against missiles they seem particulary effective* armour always works, regardless of conditions on the battlefield (for armour-piercing effects, see below)

Total war warhammer armor