Recumbent - Shocks- total newbie question

How important are shocks on a bent? I am looking at a couple of different models... one with shocks, and one without. I will be riding on bike trails and some highway riding.

I have zero experience and I am looking to buy my first bent. Nowhere available to test ride around here, so I am flying blind.

Help!

I'm a newbie myself and don't know about front shocks, but you will find some helpful insights into rear suspension at the following recumbent thread: "Hard tail vs. rear suspension - how important?".

What type of 'bent - SWB or LWB?
With the former you have more weight on the front wheel, so a shock might be more relevant, but most of the weight is your legs and they don't mind some vertical (= effective lateral for the legs) bumps. Not a lot of weight on the front of an LWB, so no point? Whereas at the rear, your torso/neck/head are the main masses, and are more upright (another generalisation...) and don't like vertical bumps (well mine don't) so either wheel suspension, or seat suspension (e.g. hammock type, not hardshell) 'needed', but a bit of frame flex can work wonders - think hardtail MTB's.
Smaller wheels need suspension more than large (they fall further into holes).......
Wheel suspension adds weight and complexity (and can soak up power if the pivot / chain alignment is poor)....
You pays your money...........

Thank you so much! I have learned alot from this forum already! this is great!