I was reading through the new rulebook again yesterday and noticed that if a model with a bow takes a shield, they don't get any bonus to their defence. (I suppose they can still use the shield for shielding, but don't get +1 to the score).

This seems an attempt to stop people converting heavily armoured archer models. But does it apply to Rivendell Knights? Rivendell Knights all have bows, so if they take shields, do they remain defence 5?

I'm guessing that might not be the intent ... the penalty is probably meant to apply to foot archers, or Uruk Hai crossbows etc., whereas Rivendell Knights were designed to have a shield option.

But that seems to be how the rules are literally written, unless they make an exception or FAQ?

If I remember correctly rivendell knights have the expert rider special rule, (as do riders of rohan and some other models) that let's them use a bow and still benifit from a shield while mounted. Though they do lose the ability to do so if they become dismounted.

Thanks. You're right ... expert rider allows them to use both the bow and shield while mounted.

Hmm ... if my Rivendell Knights get dismounted, could I have the option of choosing whether they keep their sword and shield (and drop the bow), or keep the sword and bow (and drop the shield)?

When you get dismounted you don't discard your gear (I seem to recall the being possible once but it does not seem to be a thing anymore). Your foot knight will be able to shoot their bow and use the shielding rule but will not gain the plus one from having a shield in their defense rating.

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"Draw your sword with a heavy heart, but swing it with a heavy hand"

Thanks ... that makes sense. Means there's still some advantage to having the shield when dismounted.

I guess if you had the choice, a lot of the time it might be preferable to drop the bow. If you're already locked in combat and the horse dies in the thick of the battle, the optimum choice would be to drop the bow and get the +1 defence bonus.

But this helps me decide how to model the dismounts anyway! I think I will glue some shields onto the plastic archer models to represent dismounted knights.