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Mod Note:
Then don't respond. Really. If it isn't worth a response, then just walk away. If the only things left to say are not constructive, there's no point in saying them.
There is nothing to respond to.
So given my scenario before, if a PC or creature picked up a magical shield and used it as a serving platter, you are okay with them gaining any magical bonus or feature associated with the magical shield. I mean, they aren't using it in any defensive manner at all, but the magic of the shield helps prevent attacks from hitting them anyway?The magic shields say “while holding” not any other language that would indicate that it must be equipped, much less properly equipped. That means that regardless of the general rule, each magic shield with that language gives its magical benefits while you hold it, regardless of how you hold it.
But these items must be worn according to their descriptions, and require attunement. So doesn't it seem prone to abuse that a PC without proficiency in shields could just hold a magical shield under their arm and get a magical bonus to their AC?but instead by some manner of projection of protective energy similar to a ring or cloak of spell of protection.
Personally, I don't think it would be fine (and I can always house-rule it away), but if they made it clearer that such was actually the design intent (which admittedly I find really hard to believe...) instead of just poor wording, it would be better.If simply holding a magic shield was enough to benefit from it's magic, that would be fine.
I won't be accepting that SA advice either. I'm saying if it had been that way all along, it would have been fine. Changing it now after all these years is absurd. It clearly was never the design intent.Personally, I don't think it would be fine (and I can always house-rule it away), but if they made it clearer that such was actually the design intent (which admittedly I find really hard to believe...) instead of just poor wording, it would be better.
The DMG rule says that they have to be strapped to the arm.Not all non-strapped shields are been small, but no that isn’t the source of the disconnect, because no one who agrees with JC does so because of how they think shields work.
The magic shields say “while holding” not any other language that would indicate that it must be equipped, much less properly equipped.
Heh... well, one person's 'simple and clear' is another person's 'dumb'. That's why we all get to decide for ourselves which if any of the errata and safe advice rulings we incorporate into our games.I disagree with many design choices in 5e, and I think a lot of stuff said in Sage Advice is dumb. But I don't get the issue with Barkskin. That one is simple and clear. And the Sage Advice reiterates how simple and clear it is. Calculate your AC. Is it less than 16? Then it's 16.
Forget the "wording" in the DMG, I agree that is the strict literal meaning, but you are fine with that intent (you seem to be) or are you simply debating that is a reasonable ruling?