Can you shoot a bow and wear a shield at the same time?

[cmad1977]

Since donning/doffing a shield takes an action(guess it could be move action/standard action) I'm not sure it really matter.

 

[Noctem]

Since donning/doffing a shield takes an action(guess it could be move action/standard action) I'm not sure it really matter.

standard actions don't exist in 5e. And donning/doffing a shield is specifically stated to take your action for the turn. You can't use an item interaction action, move, bonus or whatever else

 

[cmad1977]

standard actions don't exist in 5e. And donning/doffing a shield is specifically stated to take your action for the turn. You can't use an item interaction action, move, bonus or whatever else

I guess. It says action, doesn't seem to specify what type on the chart.

 

[Noctem]

I guess. It says action, doesn't seem to specify what type on the chart.

here are the types of actions in 5e that you can take on your turn:

Action
Move
Bonus
Item Interaction
Reaction

from there, you have things that can be used as one of the above:

Attack Action
Opportunity Attack Reaction
Perception Action
Stealth Action
Cast a Spell Action
Two-Weapon Fighting Bonus Action
etc..

But all things you can do are basically contained within those top 4. In this case, donning and doffing a shield is considered an Action. You only get one of those per turn unless you can use something like Action Surge (fighter L2 feature). You'll note that Action Surge also gives you another Action for your turn, which allows you to use anything that would require an Action to use. Sometimes you can combine them, like the rule that allows you to draw a weapon (item interaction) when you make an attack (Attack Action). This is the action economy in 5e.

 

[cmad1977]

Oh yeah. I guess move/action aren't exactly interchangeable.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

I guess. It says action, doesn't seem to specify what type on the chart.

There is no chart.

Actions are actions.
Movement is movement (not a move action).
Bonus Actions aren't even a thing until some feature or spell gives you one and tells you how you can use it (extremely different from prior edition's "free actions" and "minor actions")

 

[Noctem]

Oh yeah. I guess move/action aren't exactly interchangeable.

Right, unlike 4th edition where you could downgrade:

Standard -> move
Standard -> minor
Move -> minor

You can't downgrade or swap actions in 5e. So you always have 1 Action, Movement, 1 item interaction, 1 bonus action and 1 reaction. Unless something grants you more

 

[cmad1977]

There is no chart.

Actions are actions.
Movement is movement (not a move action).
Bonus Actions aren't even a thing until some feature or spell gives you one and tells you how you can use it (extremely different from prior edition's "free actions" and "minor actions")

There is a chart regarding time it takes to don/doff various armors. But yeah, actions are things.

 

[JackOfAllTirades]

Considering it is a game of Magic and Miracles, where Herculean feats of strength happen every day, I do not think it would be unreasonable, as long as it met the previously listed requirements of leaving both hands open. I do not doubt that it is next to impossible in the real world though.

Yes, with magic it would be possible. So if someone shows me a character sheet with a magical bow that can be fired accurately with one hand (not listed in the DMG) or a magic shield that requires no hands (DMG p151) that's perfectly reasonable.

But if the only explanation is "Hey it's magic!" or "Well if the wizard gets to do cool stuff then so should I!" then no. Archers get the Sharpshooter feat, a fighting style, extra attacks, magic bows, magic arrows. (And how about an animated shield? Why not?)

They do NOT get a third arm, FFS.

Trout are too small. Smack him with an Aboleth.

 

[Hriston]

In 5e, a buckler strapped to your forearm is a piece of fluff that doesn't add to your AC. It's the same thing as whether you want to describe your character wearing a helmet. It's perfectly acceptable, but there's no mechanical effect unless you house rule it.