D&D 5E (2024) Bring back the small shield (also, a rapier fix)

[UngainlyTitan]

I feel the standard shield should have the "moderate armor" property that reduces the amount of Dexterity AC bonus that a character can benefit from.

Then, the punching buckler has the "light armor" property.

The tower shield has the "heavy armor" property to nullify the Dexterity AC bonus.

It is difficult for me to imagine a hyper-Dexterous character whizzing around with a heavy shield.

True but the intersection between "reality" and "What D&D models" is pretty small. It looks ok at first glance but when you really think about it you discover there is minimal contact.

 

[Yaarel]

True but the intersection between "reality" and "What D&D models" is pretty small. It looks ok at first glance but when you really think about it you discover there is minimal contact.

I agree but having three different kinds of shields can be mechanics that help actualize flavor.

• Light armor (about 1 foot) : historical buckler and viking shield, fantasy D&D Wonder Woman "bracers"
• Medium armor: shield (2 to 3 feet in length: round, heater)
• Heavy armor: longshield (3 to 4 feet in length: Norman leaf-shaped kite shield, Roman rectangular scutum)

The viking shield is extremely light and its metal boss is held like a buckler for punching. It is the same as a buckler, but sacrifices some of its use as a punching weapon for the sake of a bit more coverage. The rest of shield is extremely thin wood held together by leather (and probably glue). It requires training to use effectively, such as holding it at an angle to deflect an incoming arrow, or punching an incoming sword out of the way. Something like:

Martial Melee Weapons
Buckler 1d4 bludgeon: light; special (light armor+1 AC)
Viking shield 1 bludgeon: light; special (light armor +2 AC)

 

[the Jester]

I'm actually playtesting a buckler that functions like you're small shield, as well as helmets and great helms giving +1 to AC and +2 to AC but disadvantage on Perception, in one of my games right now. Seems fine to me.

The rapier on the other hand is working as intended, and I'm against doing things that slap 5e's simplicity in the face, which giving special reactions and the like seem to do. One of 4e's greatest weaknesses was all the little fiddly bits.

 

[aco175]

I'm in favor of a buckler of something for a +1 AC. Traditionally they have the ability to keep your hand free.

 

[Horwath]

Since shield came out of fashion as you got better and better armor, maybe we could get variable shield bonus depending on armor carried.

Buckler: requires light armor proficiency
AC bonus,
+2 with light armor/unarmored
+1 with medium armor
+0 with heavy armor

Shield(default): requires medium armor proficiency
AC bonus,
+3 with light armor/unarmored
+2 with medium armor
+1 with heavy armor

heavy shield/tower): requires heavy armor proficiency
AC bonus,
+4 with light armor/unarmored
+3 with medium armor
+2 with heavy armor

 

[Yaarel]

Since shield came out of fashion as you got better and better armor, maybe we could get variable shield bonus depending on armor carried.

I think it is more like limb armor counts a shield bonus.

For example, a gladiator-style Roman "manica" metal armguard armor, grants a shield bonus.

Torso armor is the base AC. But adding limb armor grants a shield bonus.

 

[Yaarel]

Ideally, the base "naked" armor class of a human is AC 8.

Renaissance "full" plate "suit" is AC 18. If the base is AC 8, then the rest of the armor adds up to +10 AC.

Something like:

• Great helm: +2 AC
• Metal torso armor (cuirass, breastplate): +4 AC
• Both legguards together: +1 AC
• Each armguard: +1½ AC

Note. The 5e "bounded accuracy" compresses the value of armor into a smaller space, making the +½ AC bonus useful to represent higher resolution when quantifying the value of different pieces of armor. Round down if there is an extra ½ left over.



So a manica armguard on one arm (typically the offhand) grants a +1½ armguard bonus. A standard helmet grants +1½ AC helmet bonus, for a total +3 AC to the base naked AC.

While a standard helmet grants a +1½ AC helmet bonus, a great helm grants +2 AC, and other headgear might grant +1 AC.

The armguard armor is a shield bonus doesnt stack with other shield bonuses.

A longshield or tower shield doesnt stack with a leg armor bonus either.

 

[Lojaan]

I really like not having small shield or buckler options. Means you can flavour your shield appearance to match your character.

 

[Olrox17]

I really like not having small shield or buckler options. Means you can flavour your shield appearance to match your character.

Does it really make sense to have a buckler that takes an action to don and doff, or do you also ignore that rule as part of reflavoring?

 

[Horwath]

I really like not having small shield or buckler options. Means you can flavour your shield appearance to match your character.

It's not about the flavor, it's about mechanics and balance.
you can flavor 3 types of shields as much as 1 type of shield.