Tower Shields

SamuraiY · Feb 26, 2003

I have a dwarf with a tower shield in my party. they are extremely low level, and he is almost impossible to hit. MAybe I should just accept this, but I feel the compulsion to make SOMETHING actually threaten him. I eventually had a SKELETON try to disarm him i was so frustrated. I've been having creatures go behind his shield while invisible, everything! I don't think that I should do this, but I don't want him to be near invulnerable at 2nd level! Both instructions to accept his high AC and advice on how to actually hit him once in a while would be welcome.

P.S. His saves are also very high, so magic is also difficult to get through, and he is almost always against a wall, so I can't attack him from behind.

La Bete · Feb 26, 2003

remember that tower shilds are cover, so his opponents also get the ac bonus vs. his attacks.

arwink · Feb 26, 2003

Flank him. Tower shields are basically a lesser form of cover, so he can't protect himself from two opponents at the same time. A pair of goblin rogues with tumble should make his life very difficult.

Kwalish Kid · Feb 26, 2003

Well, the dwarf can't be doing much, can he? His opponents get the same cover bonus from the tower shield. Plus it's no protection from targetted spells, as the description points out. So ranged touch attacks (sans saving throws), magic missiles, they're all good.

SamuraiY · Feb 26, 2003

All good points. We've been playong with out the cover bonus to his enemies too. i feel really stupid and really relieved at the same time

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If the tower shield is pointed forward, how many squares does it provide cover against?

Kilmore · Feb 26, 2003

Good question, one that I don't believe is explicitly laid out in the rules, so I guess we'll have to come up with something (maybe something for 3.5 to fix). I would say you should have the dwarf declare which way his shield is facing and let him have whatever cover he desires in the spaces to the front of the shield, much like the portable wall that it is.

Other than that, there's always the possibility of attacks from above or below.

Tewligan · Feb 26, 2003

Kilmore said:
Good question, one that I don't believe is explicitly laid out in the rules, so I guess we'll have to come up with something (maybe something for 3.5 to fix). I would say you should have the dwarf declare which way his shield is facing and let him have whatever cover he desires in the spaces to the front of the shield, much like the portable wall that it is.

Other than that, there's always the possibility of attacks from above or below.

I believe Sage Advice had a big thing on the tower shield some time ago. You determine the facing for it every round, I think. It boils down to the tower shield being an enormous pain in the ass.

John Smallberries · Feb 26, 2003

You choose the shield's facing as a free action, on your turn only.

I always considred the Tower shield useful for combat Clerics, since it allows spellcasting w/limited immunity to Attacks of Opportunity.

Mik · Feb 28, 2003

Don't forget, also, that the cover the tower shield gives to opponents prevents the dwarf from making attacks of opportunity.

Dr. Strangemonkey · Feb 28, 2003

Also, never forget that all low level players should live under the fear of the four bastards.

Illegitmate halfling rogues who attack under cover of fog, darkness, invisbility, and an overpowering stench of cheese. They appear among you already flanking everyone and booming down with the flanking attacks of opportunity. The fear! The horror!

As hubris and the ire of the gods to the Greeks so the four bastards to the munchkin.

Tower Shields

SamuraiY

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La Bete

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arwink

Clockwork Golem

Kwalish Kid

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SamuraiY

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Kilmore

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Tewligan

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John Smallberries

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Mik

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Dr. Strangemonkey

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