actually in RTW, shield mostly gives bonuses to the front and right, with the opposite for defense skill. this is at least the case for melee.
it is otherwise (i.e. vis a vis missiles) as you describe.
source:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...bat-Parameters
I'm coincidentally doing my own study, for the SYW mod I'm making. it's going to be plotted soon.
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