buckler on archer

[kreynolds]

I think that the fact that a bow makes some use of both hands being equated with a situation where someone is trying to use two weapons to strike opponents is absolutely ludicrous. I’m not saying that it isn’t part of the game, as people clearly think, I’m just giving the opinion that it is a ridiculous idea.

Of course, you have a right to your opinion. Just try to be aware of how strongly you express it.

In game terms, I’m not at all sure I accept using a bow as making attacks with two weapons, one with the off-hand.

Nobody said that. A bow is a two-handed weapon. It requires two hands to properly use. This is clearly stated in the rules. Using a weapon in your off-hand causes you to lose the benefits of your shield for the rest of the round. This is also clearly stated in the rules.

Where is that detailed, or even suggested?

It wasn't. Not once. An example was given. Not a parallel.

Do you apply appropriate penalties to bow attacks to support that view of them?

No. The buckler description specifically states that bows do not suffer said penalty. Other weapons do suffer the penalty. The buckler description also spefically states that _in any case_, using a weapon in your off-hand causes you to lose the benefits of the shield for the rest of the round.

I agree that the bow is held in the off-hand, but not that it is making off-hand attacks.

Nobody said it was. The bow is being used in the off-hand. A bow requires two hands to use. You're attacking with a bow. The bow is in your off-hand...

The attacks are made with the on-hand (?), leaving the buckler able to provide a bit of defense between shots.

You're welcome to your interpretation, but I disagree. I think the rules are very clear on this. That's all.

The rules do not say that you lose the ability to use a buckler simply because you are holding an object in your off-hand, but if you are making attacks with it, quite explicitly.

Again, a bow is a two-handed weapon. It requires to hands to use. You are using a weapon in your off-hand.

Yes, this is a bit of a devil’s-advocate approach, but I do think I may be right, as well.

Devil's advocate is a great thing. It insures that all sides have been covered. With that said, however, I don't think there are any more sides to cover.

 

[Artoomis]

...The rules do not say that you lose the ability to use a buckler simply because you are holding an object in your off-hand, but if you are making attacks with it, quite explicitly...

Incorrect. The rules state (emphasis added):

...In any case, if a weapon is used in the off-hand, the character doesn't get the buckler's AC bonus for the rest of the round.

Nothing about if your are attacking with an off-handed weapon, merely that a weapon is used in the off-hand. Two weapons, two-handed melee weapons and ranged weapons that use two hands ALL are using a weapon in the off-hand.

The rules are quite straightforward on this. Whether or not one thinks this is a good rule is an entirely different discussion.

Now when you have a weapon in your off-hand but don't use it, then you get the AC bonus.