shields on dune

[UsulSK]

I know that shields attract a worm, but there seemed to be another reason why they dont use shields on Dune.  Because I got the impression in the first book, that the Atreidis always wondered why shields werent used on Dune even when they knew that they attract a Shai Hulud.  Were there any other reasons?

[Ligic_Tha_Master]

Not any mentioned.

[quoudam72]

That is the only reason the were not used on Dune because they attracted the worms.

[garth]

Shields, although very cheap, had to repaired very frequently on Arrakis.  This was due to the dust, sand, static, etc.

"The Harkonnens certainly used plenty of shields here," Hawat said.  "They had repair depots in every garrison village, and their accounts show a heavy expenditure for shields and parts."

~ p. 88 paperback "Dune"

[Vanguard3000]

It also says that the Fremen (who were the biggest "problem" for the Harkonnens on Arrakis) found an opponent who used shields "amusing".

[UsulSK]

If shields were so bad in Dune, why could the Harkonnen use them for years on Arrakis?

[Mahdi]

"The Harkonnens certainly used plenty of shields here," Hawat said.

[Guest Chaos Hand]

In addition to attracting a worm, it makes worms crazy, I think all shielded units should have a small chance for every second on the sand to have a worm pop up. On non arrakis maps, all units should have sheilds for 25% more of their cost

[nemafakei]

The Hk were probably juggling the account books to make up for fraud.

[quoudam72]

lol  ;D Nema that may have not been too far from the truth.

[UsulSK]

Yes, probabl

[Vanguard3000]

After the Shield Wall (which is a rock wall, not a shield, in case you weren't sure) was destroyed, the sandstorm came through.  It's electromagnetic fields shorted out the Shields of the Emperor's hutment-fortress-thing.

[nemafakei]

You can use shields on rock (like on the N Polar area), but on sand, the holtzman effect will make the worms go berzerk. So shields could be used in Arrakeen, but not in the Erg.

[UsulSK]

Im still not satisfied.

After the fall of House Atreides, there were many Harkonnen/Sardauker who used shields on Dune and they didnt attract a worm.  You know, when the Fremen killed some and say said something like "look, they are wearing those shields.".  Or when Duncan used the trick to shield something important (I guess it were the atomics) and the sardauker used lasguns and then there was a huge explosion.  But no worm.

[Usul]

No he sheilded a bair patch of desert as a trap for the Harkonnens and Sardukar. It didn't attract a worm because it was within the sheild wall which protected the main settlements from them.

[nemafakei]

He shielded something on a cliff.

And the Hk/Sardaukar/Fremen thing doesn't say the shields were activated on the desert floor.

[Usul]

" know that shields attract a worm, but there seemed to be another reason why they dont use shields on Dune.  Because I got the impression in the first book, that the Atreidis always wondered why shields werent used on Dune even when they knew that they attract a Shai Hulud.  Were there any other reasons? "

Yes I remeber now shields can be short circuited by a high level electrical charge such as a corrolis storm which happen frequently on Dune.

[jacobdouds]

I would never trust my life on a shield if las-guns existed.

[Gunseng_Harkonnen]

You shot to Laser Tank and....hahaha