D&D (2024) Time to add new Armors to the table.

[Yaarel]

Maybe the body armor bonus keys off of Constitution, but the shield bonus keys off of Strength.

 

[mellored]

It would be great if we could more variety than "Choose a +1 or +2 shield" and each shield had properties that enabled different styles of fighting.

Got any suggestions?

 

[Gorck]

In D&D mechanics, the Heavy shields actually grant Cover.

well, half cover grants a +2 to AC and DEX saves, so the latter could be what separates them from Medium shields.

Light = +1 AC (could be made of wood for Druids)
Medium = +2 AC
Heavy = +2 AC and DEX saves

 

[Yaarel]

well, half cover grants a +2 to AC and DEX saves, so the latter could be what separates them from Medium shields.

Light = +1 AC (could be made of wood for Druids)
Medium = +2 AC
Heavy = +2 AC and DEX saves

This is pretty solid. The Medium shield is moreorless what the typical D&D shield is now, except that it should be Medium, and should interfere with gymnastic Dexterity Dodge bonus.

The Heavy shield can be +2 AC (especially because of bounded accuracy), but the user can definitely hide behind it versus dragon breath and so on, for that archetypal image.

But the Light viking shield is weird. It is basically a buckler, and the user employs its central metal boss to "punch" attacks out of the way. At the same time, it looks like a normal round shield, but its wood beyond the boss is surprisingly thin and flimsy. It is well made but designed for sudden precise reactions. To shield against an arrow the user must see the arrow coming and hold the shield at an angle to deflect it. Where the buckler is a Simple shield that grants +1 AC, the viking shield is something like a Martial shield that grants +2 AC but requires more extensive training. There might also be other properties or prereqs for the viking shield.

 

[Branduil]

Got any suggestions?

I would like the designers to take a look at some of perks shields get in Pathfinder 2e first. Now, I wouldn't copy the "Raise Shield to get AC bonus" thing, because the action economy and math is different in 5e, but shield block would be nice. There could also be other bonuses and reactions depending on the type; the aspis, for example, could grant a bonus to spear attacks. The Roman shield could grant cover like Yaarel suggested. The Viking shield could grant a bonus to shield bash, and maybe some kind of disarm maneuver when used with an axe. The buckler could count as a light weapon and be used for TWF with quick shield bashes.

Another iconic fantasy image that D&D has done poorly is using the shield to block elemental attacks. Like, a knight blocking the firebreath of a dragon with a shield is as iconic as it gets... and it's completely impossible in D&D. So I think using a reaction to block damage from spells which target Reflex saves makes a ton of sense. The larger shields could also have some kind of ability to block projectiles.

 

[mellored]

There could also be other bonuses and reactions depending on the type; the aspis, for example, could grant a bonus to spear attacks. The Roman shield could grant cover like Yaarel suggested. The Viking shield could grant a bonus to shield bash, and maybe some kind of disarm maneuver when used with an axe. The buckler could count as a light weapon and be used for TWF with quick shield bashes.

IMO, Those sound more like fighting styles than shields.

Except maybe the buckler. Which could give +1AC and be a 1d4 weapon. Which could be a nice trade-off.