Center-Grip Shield

Any shield that has a metal boss (dome) covering a center handle on a shield. Typically manifested as a flat, round wooden shield, large and small, that allows superior flexibility and agility to a lightly armored warrior due to the ability to flip the shield in any direction at a moment's notice, and to obscure the warrior's actions behind it. These shields are particularly effective in shield walls but also one on one duels. They are known as the most versatile and flexible of all shield and armor types, although their downfall is that they typically do not last through multiple battles and must be replaced often. Cheap and easily replaced, they are great mercenary and adventurer shields intended primarily for light armor or heavy non-plate armor. Easily used by cavalry, and easily worn on the back or shoulder when not in use.

Archerians and Serthi favor this shield and their relevant combat styles, both due to temperature: the Archerians typically wear layered, warm clothing and little plate armor, while the Serthi tend to eschew plate armor due to their country being so hot and humid. Orcs also love this style of shield for similar reasons to the Serthi, only orcs use less armor and tend to favor even worship wood as a material.

Tall, rectangular shields with or without a curve can also use this kind of grip, though they sacrifice their agility and dueling ability, they are primarily used for guards and very strict military formations. Particularly good at creating foot to head walls and shells for crowd control or perfect arrow cover.

Real world analogs would be found in Viking style shields, and in alternate cases, Roman scutum style, or buckers, which resemble just the boss area of the full round shield.