Custom Shield Proficiency Feat Ideas

[dinsdale]

One of my PCs is playing a sorcerer and would like to spend a feat to gain proficiency in shields. I believe that the only RAW ways for her to gain shield proficiency are through multi-classing or taking the Moderately Armored feat, which requires proficiency in light armor (which sorcerers do not get).

I am considering creating a custom feat to grant shield proficiency, but feel that it should give additional benefits in order to be balanced. Since the Moderately Armored feat gives three things (+1 to STR or DEX, shield proficiency, and medium armor proficiency), I am leaning towards +1 to STR or DEX, shield proficiency, plus 1 more thing.

Any suggestions on what the 1 more thing should be? Skill proficiency in either athletics or acrobatics?

Alternately, please let me know if this is a terrible idea.

Thanks in advance.

 

[plisnithus8]

A sorcerer can get shield proficiency, but it would take 2 feats: lightly armored and moderately armored.

If you want it in 1 new feat, I might grant:
• Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with shields.
• You can use a shield as a weapon that does 1d4 plus your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage.

 

[jaelis]

Shield proficiency is quite good; I doubt that many people take moderately armored for the actual armor. So I think +1 stat and the proficiency is enough. You got rid of the light armor prereq, after all.

 

[TallIan]

Considering that the best light armour essentially gives you +2 armour and that Lightly Armoured is a feat for classes that shouldn't have armour I think making your custom feat; You gain +1 STR or DEX and proficiency with shields should be fine. Baring magical properties you will have given him the same effect as taking Lightly Armoured.

It's also easier to add something else later if just gaining armour and +1 stat proves to be a bit wet than it is to take away.

EDIT: alternately let him choose shield as one of the "weapons" from the Weapon Master feat

 

[Li Shenron]

Since the Moderately Armored feat gives three things (+1 to STR or DEX, shield proficiency, and medium armor proficiency), I am leaning towards +1 to STR or DEX, shield proficiency, plus 1 more thing.

I think you should design your new feat against Lightly Armored rather than Moderately Armored, because Lightly Armored is worth less than Moderately/Heavily Armored feats in terms of AC boost: they all grant +1 to Str/Dex, but with Lightly Armor you get maximum +2 AC, with Moderately Armored max +5 AC, and with Heavily Armored +3 AC. Apparently the game desigers considered the first AC boost to be more valuable than the following*.

I think it's much better and easier to make either of these available:

Option#1 - gain +1 Str or Dex, and Shield proficiency (this is exactly the same max AC bonus as Lightly Armored, except that shields require a hand to use), but not Light Armor

Option#2 - gain Light Armor and Shield proficiency (meaning a general max boost of +4), but not the ability score bonus

Personally I prefer Option#2, but if the character concept is intended to use shields but no armor ever, then go with Option#1.


*notice how Lightly Armored is a feat really meant for Sorcerers and Wizards (because everyone else already has this proficiency - except Monks but armor is incompatible with their Unarmored Defense feature); Moderately Armored is meant for Rogues, Bards and Warlocks. This is another reason why, if you are designing a feat for a Sorcerer, you should use another feat made for Sorcerers as a baseline

 

[dinsdale]

Good points, everyone. I guess the mystical '3rd thing' I was looking for is really the ability to bypass the normal armor proficiency tiers.

I proposed the +1 to Str or Dex and Shield proficiency feat to the player and she agreed.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

Maybe you could just change lightly armored to provide either proficiency with light armor or shields.

 

[Horwath]

I would include shields in light armor proficiency, not medium.

If you are proficient with armor there is no cost in using it. Unless you are a monk.

Just put it on and get +2 AC.

For +2 AC from shield there is a trade off.

You limit yourself to only one onehanded weapon use. You lose damage with that decision.

 

[TallIan]

I would include shields in light armor proficiency, not medium.

If you are proficient with armor there is no cost in using it. Unless you are a monk.

Just put it on and get +2 AC.

For +2 AC from shield there is a trade off.

You limit yourself to only one onehanded weapon use. You lose damage with that decision.

This would make Lightly Armoured a huge boost for caster classes, essentially giving them +4AC. If you are a primary caster then wearing a shield is not a trade off, as you only need one hand to cast your spells. Unlike martial classes that have to choose between +2 AC or more damage from two handed weapons or two weapon fighting (without raising the debate of how good those options actually are. This is the theory at least).

As a variant human light armour and shield proficiency and +1 DEX would be a no brainer pick for 17AC.

 

[Sadras]

I would include shields in light armor proficiency, not medium.

If you are proficient with armor there is no cost in using it. Unless you are a monk.

Just put it on and get +2 AC.

For +2 AC from shield there is a trade off.

You limit yourself to only one onehanded weapon use. You lose damage with that decision.

I agree with [MENTION=6853819]TallIan[/MENTION]. This would become a must have feat for wizards and sorcerers.

Best suggestion so far (along with reasons) has been option #1 by [MENTION=1465]Li Shenron[/MENTION]

 

[ro]

One of my PCs is playing a sorcerer and would like to spend a feat to gain proficiency in shields. I believe that the only RAW ways for her to gain shield proficiency are through multi-classing or taking the Moderately Armored feat, which requires proficiency in light armor (which sorcerers do not get).

I am considering creating a custom feat to grant shield proficiency, but feel that it should give additional benefits in order to be balanced. Since the Moderately Armored feat gives three things (+1 to STR or DEX, shield proficiency, and medium armor proficiency), I am leaning towards +1 to STR or DEX, shield proficiency, plus 1 more thing.

Any suggestions on what the 1 more thing should be? Skill proficiency in either athletics or acrobatics?

Alternately, please let me know if this is a terrible idea.

Thanks in advance.

This is a great idea, and you are right on track for making a balanced feat.

The simplest way is to combine the ideas you presented. I have worked on a feat called Trained that is a 10-point buy, with an ASI worth 5, shield proficiency worth 3, and a skill worth 2. This lines up nicely with the balance of features of 1st level Cleric domains, and it matches all of the Unearthed Arcana Feats for Skills that were floated a few months ago.

I feel like Athletics fits well with shields, but Acrobatics not as much.

Your simple, balanced feat would be:

Shielded

Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20.
You gain proficiency with shields.
You gain proficiency with the Athletics skill. If you are already proficient with Athletics, you instead gain advantage on Athletics checks.​

 

[Sadras]

Shielded

Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20.
You gain proficiency with shields.
You gain proficiency with the Athletics skill. If you are already proficient with Athletics, you instead gain advantage on Athletics checks.​

SHIELDED = Attributed Boost (+1 STR or DEX) + Shield Proficiency (usually +2AC benefit) + Skill Proficiency (Athletics)

Now measure your homebrew feat against

SKILLED = You gain proficiency in any combination of three skills or tools of your choice.

 

[5ekyu]

I would go with... Prof in shields plus one of the following - use bonus as d4 bash attack, draw/sling shield as interaction like weapons.

Sent from my VS995 using EN World mobile app

 

[ro]

SHIELDED = Attributed Boost (+1 STR or DEX) + Shield Proficiency (usually +2AC benefit) + Skill Proficiency (Athletics)

Now measure your homebrew feat against

SKILLED = You gain proficiency in any combination of three skills or tools of your choice.

Skilled is a very weak feat that almost nobody ever selects. Nothing should be weighed against it. It should at least have a +1 ASI attached to it.

I would go with... Prof in shields plus one of the following - use bonus as d4 bash attack, draw/sling shield as interaction like weapons.[/URL]

I like the latter idea. I would leave shield-bashing to a Shield Master variant. Armor proficiency feats don't give additional bonuses to the armor, so I think we should be careful here.

Shielded

Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
You gain proficiency with shields.
You can draw and don or doff and stow a shield as easily as a weapon.​

 

[Sadras]

Skilled is a very weak feat that almost nobody ever selects. Nothing should be weighed against it. It should at least have a +1 ASI attached to it.

Personally that is too much.

Shielded

Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
You gain proficiency with shields.
You can draw and don or doff and stow a shield as easily as a weapon.​

Much better

 

[ro]

Personally that is too much.

I agree. Two skills and a +1 would be better balanced. (I'd say that 2.5 skills = +1 ASI.)

Much better

I'm glad you like it!

 

[jgsugden]

Hoplite Training

You gain Str +1, Proficiency with Shields, Proficiency with Spears, and treat Spears as d8 damage weapons (d10 versatile).