Fantasy Art Staple That's Never Been Represented In-Game

[Presto2112]

At least, not that I've seen.

One of the traditional scenes I see frequently in fantasy art is the fearsome dragon spewing a gout of flame down upon the valiant knight, but the knight is able to protect himself by raising is (possibly enchanted) shield, preventing a possible barbecue. However, the way breath weapons work in D&D, I'm not even sure if this is possible, even if said shield was a tower shield.

Does such a shield exist that is able to block, or even offer partial protection from, a dragon's breath weapon?

 

[Darkwolf71]

I don't know if it's by the rules, but logicaly you could do so with a tower shield. Since you can use said shield to take total cover. This would block Burning Hands so why not a red dragons breath?

Now, the shield may be subject to damage so it's not a fool-proof thing. But, I would probably allow it.

 

[wolff96]

Isn't there a feat for this in Complete Divine or Complete Champion?

The Paladin can spend either Turn Undead or Lay on Hands for temporary saves? I'm pretty sure there's something along those lines for dragonslayers in the Draconomicon as well...

 

[xnosipjpqmhd]

Perhaps it is an artist's representation of the knight making his save.

 

[EricNoah]

Maybe shield bonuses should give a similar bonus to reflex saves for lines and cones?

Maybe only a large or tower shield?

Without facing rules, it's a tough call.

 

[Griffith Dragonlake]

Shields give partial cover bonuses

In Grymwurld™ I allow shields to grant a cover bonus to AC and Ref saves based on the size of the shield. Of course the shield might survive only one firery breath attack but that's besides the point….

 

[TerraDave]

4th ed is supposed to have defensive properties for sheilds beyond AC bonuses.






(I really should start charging Le Rouse for this)

 

[Doug McCrae]

Perhaps it is an artist's representation of the knight making his save.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[Corathon]

In 1st edition (possibly 2e also) the pluses of a magic shield counted on saving throws vs. breath weapon - so this trope has been done in D&D.

 

[Kristian Serrano]

A red dragon's breath weapon is a cone which is a burst effect that does not go around corners. Tower shields provide total cover from such effects, and total cover grants a +2 to reflex saves.

So yeah, the d20 rules to provide mechanics for such circumstances.