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<blockquote data-quote="FormerlyHemlock" data-source="post: 7159224" data-attributes="member: 6787650">Don't overlook the fact that shields are useful even for PCs who are not proficient in their use. If you've got e.g. a Dex 18 Lore Bard in Mage Armor (AC 17), and you're fleeing on horseback from hobgoblins while hobgoblin archers in fixed fortifications bombard you with arrows, you might be tempted to wish you had the Moderately Armored feat just to boost your AC from 17 to 19... but you don't need it!Donning a shield takes only one action, doesn't prevent you from Dashing, Dodging, awarding Bardic Inspiration, or concentrating on spells that you've already cast. You can get that AC 19 for &quot;free&quot; (in feat terms) just by temporarily giving up the ability to cast spells and spending an action. If there are twenty hobgoblin archers shooting at the softest target they see, that extra +2 AC could be the difference between taking 13.7 points of damage per round vs. only 7. If it takes you 4 rounds to get out of range, having a shield just saved you 26 HP!Just something to bear in mind: carry a shield even if you're not proficient in it.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="FormerlyHemlock, post: 7159224, member: 6787650"] Don't overlook the fact that shields are useful even for PCs who are not proficient in their use. If you've got e.g. a Dex 18 Lore Bard in Mage Armor (AC 17), and you're fleeing on horseback from hobgoblins while hobgoblin archers in fixed fortifications bombard you with arrows, you might be tempted to wish you had the Moderately Armored feat just to boost your AC from 17 to 19... but you don't need it! Donning a shield takes only one action, doesn't prevent you from Dashing, Dodging, awarding Bardic Inspiration, or concentrating on spells that you've already cast. You can get that AC 19 for "free" (in feat terms) just by temporarily giving up the ability to cast spells and spending an action. If there are twenty hobgoblin archers shooting at the softest target they see, that extra +2 AC could be the difference between taking 13.7 points of damage per round vs. only 7. If it takes you 4 rounds to get out of range, having a shield just saved you 26 HP! Just something to bear in mind: carry a shield even if you're not proficient in it. [/QUOTE]

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