The whole starter kit as I have it:
Format: Item Id, QL, Number, Is it a starter item? (Not impable, stays with you after death)
weapon-1=swordShort,20.0,1,true
weapon-2=shieldMediumWood,20.0,1,true
armour-1=leatherGlove,20.0,2,true
armour-2=leatherBoot,20.0,2,true
armour-3=leatherSleeve,20.0,2,true
armour-4=leatherJacket,20.0,1,true
armour-5=leatherCap,20.0,1,true
armour-6=leatherHose,20.0,1,true
armour-7=toolbelt,30.0,1,true
armour-8=backPack,10.0,1,true
item-1=handMirror,20.0,1,false
item-2=flintSteel,50.0,1,true
item-3=bowlPottery,2.0,1,true
item-4=rope,10.0,1,true
item-5=compass,30.0,1,true
item-6=deedStake,30.0,1,true
item-7=crudeAxe,20.0,1,true
item-8=crudeKnife,20.0,1,true
item-9=crudeShovel,20.0,1,true
item-10=saw,10.0,1,true
item-11=crudePickAxe,20.0,1,true
item-12=rake,10.0,1,true
(The handMIrror is just an item that you use upon spawning in to change your appearance, then it disappears before you can even see your inventory. Shouldn't be removed from starter gear or changed at all)
I think you vastly underestimate shields, my friend. They are already the best off-hand option because they are the only way to effectively block arrows. Including from arrow towers. If you are raiding a deed and approaching without a shield, you are a walking pincushion. There's also the unique ability to shield bash which can be useful. Any "nerfs" to shields/buffs to 2h are really just a way of making dual wielding a viable alternative in some cases. To be fair though dual wielding can be nice to maximize damage output for hunting and stuff.
Sadly I'm not sure if taxidermied players will display properly, but if they do that would be hilarious.
I was more trying to buff Studded and Chain and less trying to buff Archery. On second thought maybe Studded is too heavy DR for archers, but realistically why would a melee character ever use studded when Plate/Chain exists, so it ends up being pointless.
Did a little testing and it doesn't seem to lag at all, but who knows how far that will hold true, I only tested for a few players at a time. Fwiw the anti-ore xray doesn't cause any lag whatsoever so that can be enabled all the time.
I'd rather give it to people at the start and not assume that they have that mod or want to use it. With the way Wurm mods work, we should be assuming people might connect to the server with no mods at all, or every possible mod.
Dragon scales and drake hides make the best armor in the game.