Animated Shield spell failure?

[Menexenus]

Does an arcane caster with an animated shield still incur spell failure percentage? Since the wording of the item doesn't say otherwise, I assume that the answer is yes, but it's hard to see why, considering that no hands are necessary to hold the shield. So it doesn't seem like it should be interfering with spell casting. I suppose you could say that the shield's movements are getting in the way of the caster's hands - but in that case, why would the material of the shield matter (like mithral vs. steel)?

What have other DMs done about this? Do arcane casters with animated shields incur spell failure penalties or not? If so, is the penalty reduced at all?

 

[Goolpsy]

Yes.
You still get spell failure, according to the "Aminated" description the only this that if different from carrying a shield and having an Animated one, is that you have a free hand.

That was the interpretation, now, "done about this" extended interpretation, rule editing? My answer to such would be: Would it be imbalanced to get the Shield bonus + properties and shield bonus for such a low price? I'd say no. Likewise, Spellfailure removing abilities to Armor shouldn't really exist (And to my knowledge they don't, would be too Imbalanced), there are however some spellfailure decreasing properties out there....

 

[Aaron L]

According to the rules they do, but I really don't understand why a shield floating beside you would interfere with your ability to move your fingers and arms...

I would ignore the spell failure and armor check penalty, if anyone had the bad taste to actually make one of the silly things in one of my games.