Stupid Suggestion: Shields

[thaelis]

It would be nice if there were a reason for at least some people to use light shields.

In my game I give heavy shields a -1 to hit, and tower shields a -3.

Whilst I realise this doesn't make much sense in terms of realism, it makes even less sense that there are so many enchanted light shields out there that are for the most part redundant. A point of AC is worth far more than a point of check penalty.

[Doubtful]

Light shields should be usable with offhand weapons and bows, folk need bucklers!

[Kitsunestume]

Doubt. . . you are always a wellspring of genius.
Buckers ho!

[BubbaCornbread]

I do not advocate for any changes. You can already use any kind of shield with a sling...go sling!

[Laurk]

If it makes you feel better thaleis, Abby at least uses a light shield because heavy shields mean I can't carry any bandages. Light shields are for those with 8 str who also wear armor.

The other reason for light shields is that don't take a lot away from stealth and rogue abilities. They are the rogue's shield I guess.

Legacy did something interesting where you could actually get a +2 from your light shield/buckler if you had high Dex. Basically it was weapon finesse (light) for shields. So a lightly armored dex based warrior could get a bit more out of their buckler. They were still crap against arrows though. I believe the damage on them was also higher for shield bashing as bucklers were often made as a weapon.

[Farmboy2003]

Light shields should be usable with offhand weapons and bows, folk need bucklers!

Yes!!

Also, the larger shields should have an equip time, like armor based on their size, ACP or AC bomus.

[thaelis]

Legacy did something interesting where you could actually get a +2 from your light shield/buckler if you had high Dex. Basically it was weapon finesse (light) for shields. So a lightly armored dex based warrior could get a bit more out of their buckler. They were still crap against arrows though.

That is an awesome idea! That would be ideal imo

[Laurk]

In fairness though thaelis, Legacy's shield system was alot differant than D&D, and played much more like Dragon Age where shield bashing was a major part of combat. A shield was a much bigger part of your AC in general since armor actually reduced your AC and ony added damage resistance. Also, a heavy shield wasn't much good to you if you weren't strong enough to get the full benfiit of it. But if you were, it was still better than a light shield would be for a dex based warrior. For weaker PCs a heavy shield was actually less effective than a buckler. The amount of benifit you got out of a shield really depended on your str & dex (and level to some degree).

Also, the lighter the shield, the more damage I believe, so bucklers were the shield of choice for skirmishers who wanted to use their shield for a weapon, whereas heavier shields were better for shield walls and defense in general.

When you're talking straight D&D, I don't know that what I suggested would make much sense as it would just make a light shield the equal of a heavy shield to dex based people. Maybe that's not a terrible idea, though I still think they should suck against piercing weapons. There "should" be a benifit to being able to sit behind your shield while arrows bounce off.

If it was a feat you had to take on the other hand, that would make sense.

[gbbishop]

I would be all for light shields getting a boosts. just a small one. but would be cool to give more options for light armor IG. One post mentioned the ac being much more valuable than the loss due to check penalty. Have you seen anyone in chainmail? I haven't. FP is king. Specially now that fighters get better dex our of it.

While on the topic of shields.. I recently revisited a character of mine who has a weapon with the defensive enchantment. It is a (deflection) bonus and thus does not stack with Ring of Prot or cloaks or helms that offer protections. In PNP this was supposed to be a (SHIELD) bonus and act like a shield.

I am guessing the bonus is somehow hard coded *shakes fist at obsidian colored sky* but could there be a work around for this. Would be cool if the weapon slot could stack with other AC bonus items. I.e. make it a dodge bonus.

[thaelis]

I'm afraid in PnP defensive weapons also only provide a deflection bonus not true shield bonus. This is probably for balance reasons, so you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you could get 4 extra attacks from your offhand and still get a shield bonus via a simple enchantment who would use a shield?

Edit: Ok so maybe its not so simple an enchantment, but my point is it would be possible if someone were willing to put in the effort

[gbbishop]

Sorry SRD states... Defending
A defending weapon allows the wielder to transfer some or all of the sword’s enhancement bonus to his AC as a bonus that stacks with all others. As a free action, the wielder chooses how to allocate the weapon’s enhancement bonus at the start of his turn before using the weapon, and the effect to AC lasts until his next turn.

While implementing this ala PNP would be a nightmare... I think that offering a +1 +2 or hell even +3 EB to ac in exchange for a weapon enchantment slot is fair.

I'm afraid in PnP defensive weapons also only provide a deflection bonus not true shield bonus. This is probably for balance reasons, so you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you could get 4 extra attacks from your offhand and still get a shield bonus via a simple enchantment who would use a shield?

Edit: Ok so maybe its not so simple an enchantment, but my point is it would be possible if someone were willing to put in the effort

[Farmboy2003]

As far as I know all item AC enchants are hardcoded, which sucks as deflection sticks to both cloaks, belts, rings and weapons.

I suppose a fix alongs doubts suggestion could be to make all bucklers give monkey grip? But that would mess with enchanting it... Seems a lot of coding otherwise.

[gbbishop]

Could have the enchant give two weapon defense.. or.. idk some how getting a dodge bonus on it would be ideal but if hard coded... F! (seriously obsidian?)

hey what about granting a new feat that would give a dodge bonus?