We've been fixing bugs for more than 5 years: if it was in the original game and ain't fixed by now, its a pretty good bet (> 98%) that it can't easily be fixed.
With all due respect Ted, doesn't the "neither" in your post refer to the cover issue and the feat issue? I was discussing a penalty issue, which I am sure is not a popular topic, but I thought it would be an interesting discussion on the ToEE Forum and see if others are interested (not demanding) in ways to limit overpowered items. I know that I am a fairly new arrival on this forum and that those of you who are established here have been quite helpful and accommodating. I hope that I have always made my appreciation clear. I certainly do not wish to be perceived as a nuissance. I just love the game, the Co8, and I love talking about it.
Ok, now I'm confused. Basil, you want the shield to have its negative elements even though it doesn't provide its positive one (full cover)? I think that would be unbalanced. As it is, the shield is balanced (imho): you don't get the additional benefit and you don't get the additional penalty, and hence, since it is no different, you don't burn a feat. Instead you get a shield set up like all the others - yes, with twice the AC bonus of a large shield, but also 3 times the weight of a large steel shield, more than 3 times the spell failure penalty and 5 times the armour check penalty. EDIT: O and the max 2 Dex thing too
Yes, Ted, you read me correctly. I did not notice the Max Dex limitation on ToEE. I can, however, confirm that it does not work. Even if it did work, if it is stacked with Heavy Armor (Str 12+) or Heavy Encumbrance (most likely the case) it is a moot point (except for mithril). The -2 penalty to hit is balanced with the option to take full cover. Without the option it is a super shield; thus, I floated the idea of a compromise. No biggie!
I tried to applya -2 to hit penalty through one of the protos bonus columns but with my limited modding skills it didn't work. I guess it would have to be scripted somehow...