Evasion and shields

[GlassJaw]

I was surprised I couldn't find a clear answer for this in the SRD.

Evasion (Ex): At 2nd level and higher, a rogue can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the rogue is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless rogue does not gain the benefit of evasion.

No mention of shields. Does evasion still work if you are using a shield? What about a tower shield?

The equipment entry for shields also doesn't mention anything about restricting evasion. I guess I'll check the D&D FAQ and see if anything is mentioned.

 

[robberbaron]

Hmm, rogues are not automatically proficient with shields but I would certainly not stop the use of Evasion, and nothing I've read implies that.

I might consider houseruling that they take the shield's armour check penalty to Reflex saves, however, due to the unfamiliar shield slowing them down.
Same thing with tower shields, only with a larger penalty (-10).

 

[GlassJaw]

I thought the same thing but I'm really looking for an "official" ruling on this, if one exists.

 

[AnonymousOne]

Well if you have shield proficiency, from fighter levels, or a feat, I see no reason not to allow Evasion. A armor check penalty might be in order.

 

[Deset Gled]

Evasion lists no limitation on shields, so I see no reason to implement one.

Also, note that non-rogues to not have the armor restriction (when getting the ability from a ring, for example).

 

[TheGogmagog]

Bah, thought there was something about light shields, but it must have been the part about light load, or mental extension of light armor applied to light shields.

 

[hong]

A rogue loses evasion when wearing medium or heavy armour. A shield is neither medium nor heavy armour. Evade away.

 

[Nifft]

Perhaps you could even imagine that the PC is hiding behind the shield to help him evade damage.

Cheers, -- N

 

[BASHMAN]

Which reminds me of a Feat they should have included with the PH2, seeing as how they already put a bunch of "Shields are now officially useful" feats in that book.

Shield Evasion: Seeing the dragon's flaming breath, you lift up your shield after you roll to the side, deflecting the flames away from your body. Prereqs: Heavy Shield Proficiency, Shield Specialization (heavy), Shield Ward. Benefits: Whenever you are using a Heavy Shield, you are treated as if you had the Evasion class feature, taking no damage on a successful Reflex Save if the normal result would have been half damage on a successful save.

 

[Deset Gled]

Which reminds me of a Feat they should have included with the PH2, seeing as how they already put a bunch of "Shields are now officially useful" feats in that book....

I can't say for certain, but I would guess that the reason for not having a feat like that is because Evasion is used as a prerequisite for some PrCs. To keep those balanced, you would have to word the feat so that it worked the same as Evasion, but did not actually provide Evasion for the purposes of prerequisites. As we have seen here, that type of distinction can cause some players' brains to flounder.