D&D 5E is a Fighter/cleric etc less powerful using a shield

[wicked cool]

Maybe its me but whenever I play as a warrior type I look at whether or not the +1 AC is better than a 2 handed warrior and until recently I usually take the 2 hander path


However (cringes at the hate comparison) I've been playing 2 video games (Skyrim and DAI) where the shield adds more than just a +1 or higher AC and in fact can be used as a somewhat effective weapon.


Any tips to make a sword and board warrior more effective/exciting. Tips on how to make the shield more than what it is.

 

[Sacrosanct]

For one, the shield is +2, not +1. And that's not even a magic shield. Secondly, things like shield mastery can make it even better. Really, it's a matter of taste and that's all.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

+2 AC is a bigger buff than it can seem, and can often mean a 20-40% reduction in incoming hits, even more if you're fighting weak minions.

 

[abirdcall]

As has been said, shields provide +2 AC. They are quite good defensively. They shouldn't just be an additional weapon, we have weapons for that.

The Protection Fighting Style is quite strong, and if you use feats so is Shield Master.

 

[Bawylie]

What is powerful? What is effective?

Every attack that misses my fighter's AC is damage not dealt to my fighter or to anyone else in the party.

As an experiment, rack up the amount of damage you don't take due to a shield for a combat or two. Compare it to the amount of damage you deal 2 handed.

For funsies. The comparison is mathematically bad. But it might feel good to know the effects. Then you can decide what feels more satisfying, powerful, or effective.

You may just love smashing. Cool. I love soaking attacks and smashing. But if I have to pick, I'd grab a shield.

And man, if I block an attack on an ally? Shoot. I've saved HP, time spent resting, or resources spent healing.


-Brad

 

[Willie the Duck]

It's going to be very different between a cleric and a fighter. A fighter is attacking every round, and being attacked every round. The cleric is being attacked every round (mostly), and attacking... some of the time. The more you cast spells instead of swing that weapon, the less it matters if the weapon is a longsword or a halberd and the more it matter whether the attacks against you face an AC 18 or an AC 20.

 

[WarpedAcorn]

My current character is a Fighter/Cleric and has been using a Shield about 90% of the time. The only times I've used a 2-Hander is when we were attacked in the middle of the night at an Inn and I ran out (buck-naked of course) and used the Greatsword, and when I was jumped by Thugs in the street and didn't have a Shield with me.

Tips to make the shield better than what it is...well, as is its a pretty good defense tool with the +2 AC and potentially more if you get a Magic one. With the way Attack scaling works in 5th, a high AC doesn't seem to ever degrade in value (as opposed to 3rd when you end up fighting things with +18 Attack).

The Shield Mastery feat has been invaluable for me. Being able to knock down enemies is not only fun, but great from a defensive standpoint because then your teammates can move out of range no problem...and getting Advantage on melee attacks is almost better than rolling a little extra damage via 2-Hander / dual wield.

Speaking of Dual Wield, I saw a recent thread (pre-purge) talking about using the Shield as an Improvised Weapon to make attacks. Combo with the Dual Wielder feat you get bonus AC and can wield 2 regular weapons (so standard Longsword and Shield). Also add in the Dual Wield fighting style and you have a very interesting armored tank that doesn't sacrifice damage. And yes, you retain the AC bonus from the shield even if you attack with it. The drawback is this requires several feats to work, so you have to build for it.

 

[Sacrosanct]

It's going to be very different between a cleric and a fighter. A fighter is attacking every round, and being attacked every round. The cleric is being attacked every round (mostly), and attacking... some of the time. The more you cast spells instead of swing that weapon, the less it matters if the weapon is a longsword or a halberd and the more it matter whether the attacks against you face an AC 18 or an AC 20.

Cleric brings a whole 'nother can of worms to the debate. My tempest cleric has a shield, and is running spirit guardians whenever it's not prudent to have another concentration spell up. That added +2 bonus from the shield makes a world of difference because it increases my front line staying power--attacking is less important since I'm doing damage via spirit guardians anyway.

 

[Devilbass]

I'm running a level 10 Tempest Cleric, and much like Sacrosanct, I'm running alot Spirit Guardians. On top of that I took Magic Initiate and picked up Booming Blade. I draw alot of aggro, so I see my shield as being non optional.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I'm running a level 10 Tempest Cleric, and much like Sacrosanct, I'm running alot Spirit Guardians. On top of that I took Magic Initiate and picked up Booming Blade. I draw alot of aggro, so I see my shield as being non optional.

yep. and if things get a bit hairy, just do an AOE thunder/lightning damage spell and push them all away. Tempest clerics are badarse.