D&D 5E How would you make a character who uses a shield like Captain America?

[Afrodyte]

If a player wanted a 1st-level fighter or paladin of any race who could wield a shield just like Captain America, how should I, as DM, go about doing it?

Would the best way be to create a new type of (martial?) weapon based on stats from another weapon that does comparable bashing damage?

Would a feat be the right way to do it? I looked at Shield Mastery, but it doesn't do much in the way of having a shield be used for melee or ranged attacks the way Captain America does.

 

[ambroseji]

At the moment, the only way to effectively attack with a shield to do damage is to pick up the Tavern Brawler feat. Shields aren't weapons according to the RAW, so attacking with one is an improvised weapon attack. Once you have Tavern Brawler you are proficient with improvised weapons. All that's left is a kind DM who is willing to say that a shield does more damage than the standard d4. I would guess vibranium shields do at least a d8

I think the bonus grappling action from Tavern Brawler is very good, especially if you decide to go full Cap style (shield, no other weapon). Smack, grab, throw seems like something Rogers would do.

I don't know any way to make shields thrown weapons, it'd have to be a homebrew feat or ability. Perhaps a custom combat maneuver for a Battle Master fighter?

The rules have an implicit "shields aren't weapons" philosophy, so you'll definitely need a little houseruling and DM buy-in to make it work effectively.

 

[Mouseferatu]

It's not RAW, but as a DM, I'd do it this way:

The shield does 1d6 bludgeoning, as a melee or thrown weapon. Thrown, it has a range of 20/60. This makes it the equivalent of the best weapons with the thrown property.

During his turn, while attacking with the shield, the PC doesn't gain its bonus to AC. So if he draws any attacks of opportunity or some other form of reaction, he's more likely to get hit.

Where you're really going to run into problems is with multiple attacks. In melee, it makes sense, but thrown... I can't think of a way to justify the shield bouncing back fast enough for multiple throws. So I'd allow him to make multiple attacks (assuming he has them available), but only if they're against different creatures (to represent the shield ricocheting from one to another).

I wouldn't require a feat for this, because frankly, there's no mechanical benefit to it. (In fact, given the above restrictions, there are mechanical downsides.) It's just cool flavor.

You know what? I might be persuaded to make the shield d8 damage, just because there is no real advantage.

 

[ambroseji]

You know what? I might be persuaded to make the shield d8 damage, just because there is no real advantage.

But only vibranium shields, right?

 

[Mouseferatu]

But only vibranium shields, right?

Okay, so I love the whole Marvel cinematic universe, and the Cap movies are among my favorites, but it's always bugged the heck out of me...

How do you hit someone harder--or at all--with a metal that absorbs impact?!?!

Ahem. Sorry.

 

[Ravenheart87]

Get a magic/special shield that does that. You won't do that with a normal shield.

 

[Afrodyte]

It's not RAW, but as a DM, I'd do it this way:

The shield does 1d6 bludgeoning, as a melee or thrown weapon. Thrown, it has a range of 20/60. This makes it the equivalent of the best weapons with the thrown property.

During his turn, while attacking with the shield, the PC doesn't gain its bonus to AC. So if he draws any attacks of opportunity or some other form of reaction, he's more likely to get hit.

Where you're really going to run into problems is with multiple attacks. In melee, it makes sense, but thrown... I can't think of a way to justify the shield bouncing back fast enough for multiple throws. So I'd allow him to make multiple attacks (assuming he has them available), but only if they're against different creatures (to represent the shield ricocheting from one to another).

I wouldn't require a feat for this, because frankly, there's no mechanical benefit to it. (In fact, given the above restrictions, there are mechanical downsides.) It's just cool flavor.

You know what? I might be persuaded to make the shield d8 damage, just because there is no real advantage.

This makes sense. To make it a bit simpler, what if this is what a shield used as a weapon would be like?

Shield. Martial melee weapon. 10gp. 1d6 bludgeoning. 6lb. Thrown (range 20/60), special*. *When using a shield as both armor and weapon, its AC bonus is reduced to +1.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

The protection focused Basic fighter would be thematically appropriate. It allows the fighter to give disadvantage on an enemy's attack on an ally, if the ally is within five feet and the fighter is wielding a shield.

 

[Roger]

If a player wanted a 1st-level fighter or paladin of any race who could wield a shield just like Captain America, how should I, as DM, go about doing it?

Improvised thrown weapon: damage 1d4 bludgeoning, thrown (range 20/60). I think that looks about right.



Cheers,
Roger

 

[Stalker0]

Get a magic/special shield that does that. You won't do that with a normal shield.

My thought as well, just make them a magic item.

Heck caps shield pretty much is a magic item in the marvel universe