Enhancing tower shields

[WattsHumphrey]

ok, I know it's there and I'm just not finding it...

Do enhancement bonuses on one's tower shield count toward AC?

I don't think so, but I need the passage to prove it.

-thanks

 

[Number47]

Tower shields do not provide an armor bonus, thus plusses on them do not enhance armor, nor do they provide greater cover. All the pluses do is increase the hardness and hit points of your shield, and allow for other enhancements to be places as well. I particularly recommend Animated.

 

[WattsHumphrey]

Tower shields do not provide an armor bonus, thus plusses on them do not enhance armor, nor do they provide greater cover. All the pluses do is increase the hardness and hit points of your shield, and allow for other enhancements to be places as well. I particularly recommend Animated.

Could you point me toward a convienient passage in the PH or FAQ to this effect?

 

[Mahali]

3.5 will take care of this but in the mean time.

In the FAQ (I think) an enhancement bonus to a tower shield adds to the AC of the shield barer.

If it's not there it was a Dragon Magazine.

 

[dcollins]

The personal reply I got from the Sage indicates that enhancement bonuses on a tower shield do provide an armor bonus to AC.

Let's say someone has a +4 Tower Shield (as is possible via the magic item tables in the DMG, or perhaps through the "magic vestment" spell). Does the enhancement on this shield supply: (A) no AC improvement whatsoever, or (B) a +4 "armor" bonus, or (C) a +4 "cover" bonus beyond whatever's chosen naturally by the bearer (and if so, do opponents get the same enhanced protection)?

A +4 armor bonus for the user. It coes not apply to any cover bonus the shield grants.