D&D 5E Realistic Shields - New, Revised and Immersive

[James Dodds]

I created supplementary material to 5e to revise the shield system.

I made it free because I what I really want are lots of reviews and ratings right now, so please do so!

Here is the document if you are interested: http://www.dmsguild.com/product/223973/Realistic-Shields

Please post the reviews/ratings on the product page itself

 

[James Dodds]

For those who had left feedback, thank you!

And I will be updating my material for these changes Saturday.

I will post again here when it is ready, hope everyone likes it.

 

[aco175]

I agree that there should be a 'buckler' for +1 ac, but I'm not sold on the large shield for +3, even with the strength 16 requirement. I tend to stay away from giving that much AC boost, especially when tied to plate mail.

 

[James Dodds]

I found it was good for variation between the different types, with just +1 AC to each tier. But I may end up respeccing this to give large a different advantage. Any ideas?

 

[Xeviat]

Weren’t shields and plate armor rarely used together? Or was that more because of the larger weapons required when fighting someone on plate?


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[Caliban]

I found it was good for variation between the different types, with just +1 AC to each tier. But I may end up respeccing this to give large a different advantage. Any ideas?

An extra +1 AC vs ranged attacks only? Or it counts as half Cover for a +2 bonus on Dex saves (only applies to dex saves where having cover would give you a bonus on your save - i.e. no help in avoiding a pit trap, but it would help against a fireball.)

 

[Ed Laprade]

Weren’t shields and plate armor rarely used together? Or was that more because of the larger weapons required when fighting someone on plate?


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They weren't used together because by then the armor itself was so good that a shield wasn't needed. (Contrary to games, movies, etc., you can hack at a man in full plate all day with a sword and you'll just tire yourself out. Yeah, really, the stuff was that good.)

 

[Yaarel]

In reallife, warriors who wore full plate stopped using shields. Many used two-handed swords, or used the free hand for grabbing, pushing, and so on.

In some real sense, the completely covered limbs is already a kind of shield.

In game mechanics, a plate suit (and similar) should be unable to benefit from a shield bonus.

 

[Yaarel]

Make the base natural armor class of a human 8 (not 10). Then make the helmet +2 AC.

So, even a person in leather armor is assumed to be wearing a metal helmet. Even a warrior in cloth armor (gambeson) is assumed to be wearing a metal helmet. If not, the AC is two points lower.

 

[Horwath]

In reallife, warriors who wore full plate stopped using shields. Many used two-handed swords, or used the free hand for grabbing, pushing, and so on.

In some real sense, the completely covered limbs is already a kind of shield.

In game mechanics, a plate suit (and similar) should be unable to benefit from a shield bonus.

I would go with a shield giving +3 AC if no armor/light armor. +2 AC for medium armor, +1 AC for heavy armor.

Buckler could be +1 AC for no armor/light armor only.