Level Up (A5E) Bucklers

[TheDungeonMathster]

The Adventurer's Guide mentions bucklers only once (page 317), but gives no specifics about them. Are these official items in A5E? If so, how do they work (e.g., do they take a hand?)?

 

[Distracted DM]

I assume that this was old language and they were renamed to Light shields.
Per a5e.tools you can see "range from a dueler's fencing buckler to tower shields" and the smallest shield present is Light.

Multiple entries in the MM cite "buckler shield" and get the relevant +1AC bonus from small shields.

 

[Selganor]

The normal light shield uses your hand but you can modify a light shield for +25gp "hands free" to have the shield hand "free" (you can't wield weapons with this hand or throw the shield)