difference between shield armour and def. skill?

hi guys,

i wondered if someone knows about the different types of armour in game. how do they distiguish?

According to the devs, shields apply only to the front and left; defense skill applies only to the front and right and only to melee (non-ranged) attacks; and armor applies to everything. Testing has shown that in general, units don't suffer much of a disadvantage vis-a-vis defense skill when attacked from the left or rear, because they tend to turn around just before the attack hits (unless they're moving).

-Simetrical

so....

if one made say a barbarian unit without shield and armour, just def skill it would be vulnerable by ranged units?

thx for the info

Yes, take a look at all the units with the attribute "vulnerable to missiles", usually they´ve got very low armour and shield values, if any at all.