Clerics (Templars) not proficient with shields?

[S'mon]

Clerics & shields - In our game tonight it came up that the PHB does not list Clerics as having any shield proficiency - I don't play the Cleric, but I assumed they had light shield prof. So I was just looking at the updated/errated version of the standard Cleric at http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/399_CC_Cleric.pdf - I note it still does not list any shield proficiency, but under Equipment it says "A shield helps to increase your Armor Class, but you might want to consider
purchasing a two-handed weapon instead. Otherwise, a mace or a spear is a good choice for a starting character"!

What is going on? Are Clerics supposed to have a shield proficiency, or not?

 

[Dice4Hire]

Not

But it is only a feat if you really want to have it.

 

[Spatula]

Hmm, I wonder if they accidentally copied some of the text from the e-cleric (who does get shield prof, I believe) into the redone PHB-cleric writeup.

 

[S'mon]

Hmm, I wonder if they accidentally copied some of the text from the e-cleric (who does get shield prof, I believe) into the redone PHB-cleric writeup.

Yes, the e-Cleric has heavy shield proficiency, so he has a much better AC, though he doesn't add an attribute mod to his healing words the way the PHB Cleric does.

The player swapped out a feat to give her PC light shield proficiency.

 

[ppaladin123]

The new cleric article earlier this month gave clerics the ability to switch out healing lore for "battle cleric's lore," which gives:

scale proficiency
a +2 shield bonus to AC (but not reflex)
+2 bonus to attack rolls until end of next turn to the target of your healing words

This is probably a better investment than spending a feat on light shield proficiency.