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

[RangerWickett]

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.

Actually, total cover gives total protection. Cover (as in, holding up a normal shield, or standing behind a low wall) gives +2 to Reflex.

 

[Kristian Serrano]

Actually, total cover gives total protection. Cover (as in, holding up a normal shield, or standing behind a low wall) gives +2 to Reflex.

I stand corrected, although the point still stands.

 

[SteelDraco]

I stand corrected, although the point still stands.

'course, in order to provide cover, a shield has to be able to stand up against a gout of dragon fire. If they claimed total cover in that manner, I'd probably roll damage against the shield, since they weren't trying to dodge or anything.

Probably not good for the shield.

 

[DestroyYouAlot]

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.

HackMaster (as far as I recall) extends this to the total AC bonus of the shield - but the shield is, of course, going to take damage (and armor hp go away pretty fast in HM).