Dancing Shields, a Shield and Shield spell

[jontherev]

Re: Re: Re: Dancing Shields, a Shield and Shield spell

No, I mean Dancing (from S&F).

So since it provides a cover bonus, and Shield spell provides a cover bonus (still?), they don't stack.
OK.

But it does stack with the normal Large Steel Shield.

Sorry, my bad. Still, though the text is probably only referring to this particular enhancement, I think it is important:"Upon command, an animated shield floats within 2 feet of the wielder, protecting her as if she were using it herself but freeing up both her hands. Only one shield can protect a character at a time." (emphasis mine)

I think it is important because there is essentially no difference between a dancing and an animated shield. Realistically, you could quite easily use another shield in your offhand with either. Balance-wise, I would say that one and only one shield (be it animated, dancing, held or otherwise) can by used by a character. Of course, the Shield spell doesn't follow this rule, as it's a spell. However, the Ring of Force Shield would follow this rule. At least, that's my two gold pieces.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

One point on the cover bonuses not stacking. while the bonuses might not stack, the cover itself might. Lets say you have that dancing shield providing 50% cover vs Mr X. A low wall also separates you from Mr X. While I wouldn't go +4 bonus +4 bonus=+8 bonus i very likely would say 50% cover+50% cover roughly =s 75% cover so a +7 bonus.

 

[reapersaurus]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Dancing Shields, a Shield and Shield spell

Still, though the text is probably only referring to this particular enhancement, I think it is important:"Upon command, an animated shield floats within 2 feet of the wielder, protecting her as if she were using it herself but freeing up both her hands. Only one shield can protect a character at a time." (emphasis mine)

I think it is important because there is essentially no difference between a dancing and an animated shield.

I completely disagree.
One weapon enchantment has nothing to do with another (within reason).

Just because animated shields work a certain way, doesn't say anything about dancing shields.

May I ask : do you know what the Dancing enchantment says?
(it mentions the shield providing a cover bonus, therefore it should stack with a normal shield, right?)
If you don't, why are you answering a rules question?

 

[mkletch]

Armor bonuses do not stack; the "one suit of armor and one shield" is a specific exception. Theoretically, a normal shield would not stack with Mage Armor. So, you only get one of the actual shields (the better item) and the better cover bonus (not both).

As for actual cover stacking, I would probably allow an increase by one degree of cover (3/4 from the shield goes up to 9/10 with the dancing shield).

-Fletch!

 

[jontherev]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Dancing Shields, a Shield and Shield spell

I completely disagree.
One weapon enchantment has nothing to do with another (within reason).

Just because animated shields work a certain way, doesn't say anything about dancing shields.

May I ask : do you know what the Dancing enchantment says?
(it mentions the shield providing a cover bonus, therefore it should stack with a normal shield, right?)
If you don't, why are you answering a rules question?

No, I didn't go back and read the description (probably like all the other posters here) of dancing. I obviously forgot it existed, but since I'm familiar with the weapon enhancement equivalent, I figured I could put my 2 cents in. The rule I quoted above says, "Only one shield can protect a character at a time". Notice, that it did not say 'animated', but just 'shield'...an important distinction. Rules are sometimes found in odd places (see the TWF usable only for melee rule in the heavy xbow description as an example). If you are so sure of the answer, then why are you bothering to post for other peoples' opinions?

In any case, they are 2 different bonuses, so should stack. Except the rule I quoted above says it won't work. Now, if you add a word to the quote, or dismiss the quote as only referring to animated shields, then your idea will work. I will leave that up to the reader, but I find the quote above to be sufficient to back up my opinion. Plus, I don't like the idea of someone having both a Dancing Shield AND an Animated Shield up. I say, one shield per character, period. I think having multiple shields is most likely a little unbalancing, even more abusable than the Wiz 1/Ftr 19 who casts Shield at the start of every battle. Let's see, one shield is +1/100% Fort./Animated, and the other is +4 Dancing. Probably not game-breaking, but a little too much IMO.