Rules clarification

[WereWolf_nr]

If a model, warjack in particular, is holding a shield, is the +2 ARM bonus already on their card/entry?
example: warjack shows 17 on the card and is holding a shield, is his ARM 17 or 19?

[wittdooley]

If a model, warjack in particular, is holding a shield, is the +2 ARM bonus already on their card/entry?
example: warjack shows 17 on the card and is holding a shield, is his ARM 17 or 19?

It'll be expressed on the card in a separate box next to the ARM. So it'll show you both the 17 & the 19.

[tonyzahn]

It'll be expressed on the card in a separate box next to the ARM. So it'll show you both the 17 & the 19.

Not in the MK2 cards. It's on of the things that's a little more confusing in the new layout.

To answer the question, and ARM 17 jack with a +2 shield is ARM 19 against all attacks made in its front arc, unless the shield arm is disabled.

[ForsakenImp]

It's done this way for a few reasons.

1)Like all other weapon effects, it appears on the weapon now, so it's easier to remember that the effect is dependent on the arm being free.

2)The shield doesn't actually change the base arm, which is the printed value, but in effect changes the effective arm. It matters for things such as Armor Piercing- because of the way this is done, you add the arm benefit from shields after halving the arm, not before.

3)It re-enforces that the shield is doing that, not that it's the jack doing it. It helps players realise certain armarments have certain in-game benefits- Large weapons are Reach, Halberds usually have set defense, along with quite a few of the long spears. Hammers beat you back or knock you down. So on, and so forth.