buckler with two handed weapon

[JiffyPopTart]

So let me see if I get this straight.

Bow + Buckler = Buckler to AC, no penalty to attack.

Longsword (Primary Hand) + Buckler = Buckler to AC, no penalty to attack.

Longsword/ShortSword (PH and OH) + Buckler = NO Buckler to AC if you attack with Short Sword this round, otherwise Buckler to AC, -1 penalty to attacks.

Greatsword + Buckler = Buckler to AC, -1 penalty to attacks.

--fje

Nope...

If you are using a Greatsword....you are using your off-hand to swing the sword around and therefore do not get to use the AC bonus from the buckler.

 

[IcyCool]

You can't, so therefore the penalty must only be for two-weapon fighting and not any other way of fighting.

Exactly. But you can certainly fight with a two handed weapon and not get your buckler's AC bonus.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Exactly. But you can certainly fight with a two handed weapon and not get your buckler's AC bonus.

Oh I see, you're not arguing for a penalty, you're arguing that you can use the two-handed weapon and not even get a penalty since you can "still use the hand". You might have a point. Additionally, I don't even see how the buckler AC bonus would not apply besides what I feel is a loose connection from "off-hand" to fighting with a two-handed weapon.

Ah well, if anyone else has a further interest in 3.0, they can debate it further. I use the 3.5 rules, so my interest is at an end.

 

[dcollins]

Buckler:This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

My reading (same as 3.0):
- You cannot get the buckler AC bonus while doing anything with your off-hand. No shooting a bow, no wielding an off-hand weapon or two-handed weapon.
- You can "carry" a buckler (not wield it for AC bonus) and shoot a bow without penalty, or wield an off-hand weapon or two-handed weapon at -1 penalty.

In other words, having a buckler gives an option each round. You can choose to either (a) defend with buckler for +1 AC, or (b) use a bow (no penalty) or off-hand or two-handed weapon (at -1).

 

[Legildur]

In other words, having a buckler gives an option each round. You can choose to either (a) defend with buckler for +1 AC, or (b) use a bow (no penalty) or off-hand or two-handed weapon (at -1).

Seconded. It seems pretty clear to me, and certainly how I play my elf Ftr/Pal with longsword/buckler combo. Yet to take Power Attack, but occasionally use the ol' two-handed blow with the longsword to leverage some extra damage (-1 penalty to attack is neither here nor there for this character). Even sometimes switching primary weapon to off hand (holding, not wielding) and draw a secondary weapon more appropriate to task. Bucklers are great, but I think that trying to get no attack penalty when wielding a two-handed melee weapon is cheese

 

[Peter Gibbons]

In other words, having a buckler gives an option each round. You can choose to either (a) defend with buckler for +1 AC, or (b) use a bow (no penalty) or off-hand or two-handed weapon (at -1).

Correct.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

Welcome to the boards Kevin-you'll find most people here are pretty helpful.

 

[diaglo]

they have a feat to recover your AC bonus .. Improved Buckler Defense from iirc Complete Warrior.

 

[dagger]

It may be a dumb question but what are the rules about using a two-handed weapon with a buckler ? the players handbook states that you can use a bow and buckler combo.

Improved Buckler Defense is the way to go to solve your problems. If I were you, I would still hold out for an animated shield though.

 

[Legildur]

Except that, if I recall correctly, Improved Buckler Defense only applies when wielding an off-hand weapon. I don't think it works with a two-handed weapon. But I do know that there have been at least one thread on this topic and the final position wasn't necessarily agreed.