D&D 5E Action Economy - Is this Correct?

[guachi]

There are some shield you really could just drop out of your hand easily but there are many others that were strapped to your arm. So it seems like D&D takes the safe route that all shields need to be doffed with an action to be on the safe side.

Though even if you could do this via the rules I'd still say no. Yes, 5e works as if simultaneous events were happening sequentially but I, as a DM, would say you can't simultaneously wield and not wield a shield at the same time.

 

[Shiroiken]

I have to say that I've houseruled that donning and doffing a shield is an item interaction, and have found it to have minimal impact. The only character that even uses a shield is the archer (Eldritch Knight) when forced into melee. He told me after my ruling that by RAW, he'd have just done TWF instead. This thinking is why I made my houserule, because Ive seen far more THF and TWF in 5E than the classic sword and board. Obviously YMMV.

 

[Arial Black]

It would be more like this;

-Bonus Action: Shove via Shield Mastery Feat
-Action: Doff Shield
-Free item interact: Drop Shield

Minor correction here: Shield Master gives you a bonus action shield bash, but in order to generate that bonus action you must use your action to take the Attack action.

You can do the bonus action first, but doing so locks your action as the Attack action. You cannot swap it for a different action (like Doff Shield).

You can choose not to actually execute the attacks allowed by your Attack action, but your action IS 'Attack action' this round, as soon as you execute the bonus action shield bash. Essentially, because that bonus action only exists because you chose that action, then choosing that bonus action is also choosing that action.

Also, dropping a held item doesn't use up your free object interaction, but sheathing a weapon or picking up a dropped weapon would.

 

[Plaguescarred]

Also, dropping a held item doesn't use up your free object interaction, but sheathing a weapon or picking up a dropped weapon would.

Not because it's not listed in the few exemples that dropping an held item can't be an item interaction. It's not an exhaustive list so a DM can always rule that it is afterall.

Minor correction here: Shield Master gives you a bonus action shield bash, but in order to generate that bonus action you must use your action to take the Attack action.

You can do the bonus action first, but doing so locks your action as the Attack action. You cannot swap it for a different action (like Doff Shield).

You're correct i was only telling what each action enonomy represent in the order it was given and not necessarily saying it would be a correct order of operations.

 

[Argyle King]

Do Bucklers not exist in D&D?

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Do Bucklers not exist in D&D?

Not as a specific entry in the tables separate from Shields.

 

[orderofthings]

If someone at my table wanted a buckler, it would allow usage of the hand but only grant +1 to AC

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[Prism]

If someone at my table wanted a buckler, it would allow usage of the hand but only grant +1 to AC

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I never liked that 3e version of the buckler where it was kind of strapped to the arm but left the hand free. It doesn't have real world historical example that I have found.

I might allow a buckler (small shield) with +1 AC to be equipped (and removed) with an interaction as a held object. This seems to fall in line with the historical version of how a buckler was used. However this could run into the same run of events that the OP mentioned, where a PC continually equips and drops it while using a two handed weapon.

 

[Plaguescarred]

Do Bucklers not exist in D&D?

It used to exist at some point during the development cycle of D&D Next. IIRC shield granted +2 AC and buckler +1 AC

If i was to introduce one IMC, it would probably something like this;


Armor Cost AC Strenght Stealth Weight Dondoff time
Buckler Shield 5 gp +1 — — 3 lb Bonus Action

 

[orderofthings]

A quick Google Image search for "buckler shield" and i'm forced to agree. These all appear to be hand held. If anything, they are at least droppable. I guess my mental image was flawed. Now i want to dig out my AD&D 2e arms and equipment guide!

I never liked that 3e version of the buckler where it was kind of strapped to the arm but left the hand free. It doesn't have real world historical example that I have found.

I might allow a buckler (small shield) with +1 AC to be equipped (and removed) with an interaction as a held object. This seems to fall in line with the historical version of how a buckler was used. However this could run into the same run of events that the OP mentioned, where a PC continually equips and drops it while using a two handed weapon.

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