Can a Large creature weild a Tower shield?

[reapersaurus]

This is probably pretty basic, but damned if I see the references in the books.

Does being Large change the effectiveness of using a Tower shield?
I don't see any sizes listed for shields, so does a tower shield work any differently for a Large creature?

 

[Vaxalon]

Yes, a large creature can use a tower shield, but it would be scaled up. See the sidebar on page 105.

A tower shield for a tiny creature would cost 15gp, and weighs 4.5 lb.

A tower shield for a large creature would cost 60gp, and weigh 90lb.

 

[reapersaurus]

no no no.

Thanks for reminding me that Tower shields supposedly cost double for a Large creature, but what I mean is

does a tower shield work any differently for a Large creature?

I don't know how else I can ask this.

If you're Large size, you may use a medium-size weapon as an off-hand weapon (considered light).
I'm wondering if it's easier for a Large creature to carry a Tower Shield around and move with it in combat.

I don't believe that a Large creature would have to size up the Tower Shield to get any benefit from it: they already get a size penalty, why would they be douible-penalized?
Shouldn't they be able to use a normal-sized Tower Shield and get the normal benefits from it?

 

[mikebr99]

maybe a tower shield (normal sized) in the hands of a giant would be considered a small or large shield... depending on the relative size between them.

 

[Vaxalon]

Shouldn't they be able to use a normal-sized Tower Shield and get the normal benefits from it?

No, of course not. Could a horse hide itself behind a phone booth?

Could an elephant hide itself behind a subcompact?

 

[reapersaurus]

you're double-dipping with the penalties there then.

The Large guy already gets a minus to AC because of size.
The small guy already gets a bonus to hit because he's smaller.

Since the small guy is shorter, and the Tower shield is just as large as it is when weilded by a medium size guy, why would the tower shield provide any less benefit just because the weilder is Large?
It blocks the smaller guy just as well - it's not like a tower shield is tiny on a large creature - there's only so much facing a medium creature has - he can't threaten against a Large creature's entire body at once.
It should be just as easy to interpose the Tower shield between the medium (or small) combatant and a Large shield-holder.

The question is (again) :
shouldn't it be easier for a Large creature to lug around a Tower shield (which is quite big for a medium sized guy)?

 

[Vaxalon]

Those arguments make sense, but they don't matter.

The rules are pretty clear.

Armor scales with the wearer, shields are armor.

 

[reapersaurus]

Could a horse hide itself behind a phone booth?

Actually, yes it could.
Especially when the phone booth is in-between he and his opponent, AND the horse can move the phone booth around pretty easily.

Well, thanks for your input, Vaxalon.
I'm surprised at noone coming up with rules quotes to my latest questions.
?

Just because it says you pay double for armor for Large creatures doesn't get to the conclusion you are guessing, Vaxalon. (unless I'm missing a rules quote)

 

[Thanee]

Cover relates to size. A large creature needs about twice as much cover for the same bonus as a medium creature and about four times as much as a small creature.

And large creatures have several benefits, so a 'double penalty' here is not at all wrong. Check the grapple rules, for example. Ever tried to grapple with a small-sized character against a large creature?

Of course, a large creature can wield a tower shield more easily, but it cannot hide itself behind it, because it's so large, that too many parts of it are sticking out and could still be easily hit. Use it like a large shield, that makes sense to me.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Vaxalon]

I have an image in my head of a cloud giant using a giant-sized frying pan as a "tower shield" against a medium-size PC.