Animated Shields and Mystic Wanderers

[Muggernaut]

Long time lurker, first time poster

I'm making a character based on Captain America. Basically he's going to be a monk (1) cleric (the rest) and is going to get all the shield type feats. I also plan to get at least 1 level of Mystic Wanderer later on.

Now I accept that monks can't use shields and retain their Wis bonus to AC. It is also obvious that Mystic Wanderers can't use shields and retain their Chr modifier to their AC. However when I get an animated shield, can I apply both my Wis and Chr bonuses to my AC? I think it is clear that the monk can use an animated shield without penalty, but can a Mystic Wanderer?

The reason I ask is that the Chr bonus that the Mystic Wanderer gets is a sacred bonus. Thus, the MW's God is giving the ability to the MW. Under the special ability description, it also states that the MW can't use a shield because of movement reasons, and vanity reasons. Freedom of movement is needed, and the MW also needs to look good to benifit from the ability.

Now if the MW uses an animated shield, will he be denying his God? After all, any God will know that a MW is actually 'using' a shield. Secondly, will the MW look silly using such a shield?

I think it's ok, and that a MW can use an animated shield. However another player in my group thinks a MW can not use such a shield, and my DM is unsure.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[Artoomis]

I'd say no. You're right about one thing for sure - he'll still look "silly." And, of course, "god" still knows what you are doing.

ed: For an even simpler reason - he is specifcally prohibited from using shields, is he not? Is an animated shield a shield?

 

[hong]

IMO the mystic wanderer is irretrievably silly anyway. It really should be renamed the Groupie prestige class. The concept of building a Captain America-lookalike using this class is ... interesting.

 

[Artoomis]

Oh, and by the way, the matter of whether Monks can use shields is between you and your DM. Strictly read, the class description seems to disallow armor only, though the Sage has said that shields are included, and Monte seems to feel this way to, indicating that the lack of a specific mention of shields is little more than a editorial oversight.

Me? I'd allow them, but this is not really the place for that debate. See the link in my signature for my reasoning and for that of those opposed to me.

I'd definately allow it for a "Captain America" type character, though I can't figure out why you'd be a cleric for that.

 

[Zhure]

from the psionics SRD:
"Ranged
The wielder of this shield can throw it in combat, with a range increment of 30 feet. While in the air, the shield is treated in all ways as a ranged weapon and cannot be blocked or grabbed except by appropriate feats. No matter the size of the wielder, a small shield deals 1d6 points of damage and a large one 1d8. The wielder’s Strength modifier (if within 30 feet of the target) and the shield’s enhancement bonus, if any, add to the base damage.

Whether it misses or strikes its target, the shield returns through the air to the wielder that threw it. It returns on the next move-equivalent action of the wielder, who can also take a move-equivalent action as the shield returns. If no clear route exists back to the wielder, the shield falls to the ground.

Manifester Level: 5th; Prerequisites: Craft Psionic Arms and Armor, far hand; Market Price: +1 bonus.
"

Gotta get one of them
Greg

 

[Artoomis]

Yep - for the Captain America character you'd want the Ranged shield for sure.

You'd also want Reflection, I think.

 

[Muggernaut]

I picked a cleric as the base class because they get the shield type feats the quickest (divine shield escpecially). The cleric also has a whole heap of buffing type spells later on, to make him half decent in combat. While I think cleric may not be the class that best fits (paladin is probably a little better), it is the most powerful option. And in my group, if your not powerful, ya won't last long. 100+ hit dice elementals really hurt.

I'm going for Mystic Wanderer for (a) power reasons and (b) I think it'll fit aswell. That class is all about posing and looking good- something that all super heros do for a job. In any case, I'll only take 1 or 2 levels in it. If you guys know of a more fitting prestidge class, then yell out- it'll be appreciated.

I'm certainly going to get all those shield enchantments. Captain America wouldn't be Captain America without them. I'm also going to get a blue Skin of the Heros (rather fitting for a Super Hero I think).

Back to the initial question however. I'll leave your first argument alone for a bit, Artoomis (I think it is still unclear). However your second argument is interesting (and will prove fatal to me if you are right). Are you really 'using' an animated shield if you are not holding it. You are benifiting from its effects, but you are not concentrating on making it work. If you are correct, Monks (in Monte's and the Sage's world at least) have become a little worse.

 

[Iku Rex]

Are you really 'using' an animated shield if you are not holding it. You are benifiting from its effects, but you are not concentrating on making it work.

An Animated Shield protects you "as if [you] were using it [yourself]". So, unless you rule that Animated Shields are somehow different (not an unreasonable ruling, but potentially unbalancing) you are consciously using the shield. (And you suffer the all the normal penalties invilved.)