Boring shields

[Stalker0]

You could factor in TWF with the new advantage system.

TWF Version 1: When you make an attack, you can use either weapon. When rolling with advantage, if both die hit than you deal damage as if both weapons hit.

TWF Version 2: When you make an attack, you can use either weapon. When rolling with advantage, gain a +2 to attack rolls.

 

[Mattachine]

Perhaps there could be a fighting style/combat training wherein you got an additional bonus to AC for using a shield.

 

[Raith5]

I think for the basic framework rules these bonuses are all you are likely to see but I think a tactical module for DDN could add various forms of depth to shield via various powers and abilties. A power to parry attacks or use a shield to act as damage reduction make sense as others have alluded to.

But one thing that limits the defense of a shield is actually attacking! So +2 to AC might not be totally unreasonable when you are attacking, but when you fight defensively/ full defence the utility of a shield should be more than doing so without a shield.

 

[Warbringer]

I would love them to keep the 4e rule about adding shield bonus to dexterity saving throws (at least where it would be appropriate). I thought it really helped to bring shields to where they should be.

Or they grant advantage to those saves ....