light Shield versus heavy Shield

[Baumi]

I have seen that most people automatically assume that a shield Wielder uses a heavy Shield, which I simply don't get since it gives you -2 to several skills and you cannot hold anything in that hand anymore.

So I like to know which Shieldtype get's more love...

 

[Bagpuss]

I wouldn't spend a feat to get Heavy Shield (assuming I already was a class that got light shield). I might consider it for light. But if I already had Heavy Shield prof, I would certainly consider using it, over light or no shield depending on my character build.

This think they are pretty well balanced.

 

[med stud]

One thing that is good with light shields if you can use the hand for grabbing is that you can immobilize opponents when you using a light shield. A grab action needs one hand to use. I assume the first grab is a standard action but to sustain it you only need to use minor actions. A strong fighter can grab for example a skirmisher while he and the group beats on it. It's nice vs kobolds as well.

 

[Mengu]

It largely depends on the class, stats, and chosen skills.

If I had no shield proficiency, I'd consider getting light shield, but would not bother trying to get up to heavy.

If I only had light shield proficiency, that's likely what I would stick with, unless the group had no defender, in which case I might upgrade.

If I had both proficiencies, I'd likely use heavy shield.

For instance, for my Warlord, I'll stick with light shield, and will upgrade my armor from Chain to Scale. It's very clearly the superior way to go.

 

[Dausuul]

My general feeling is that if you have proficiency with heavy shields, and you aren't using a two-handed weapon or dual wielding, you should use a heavy shield. If you aren't proficient with heavy shields, however, it's probably not worth spending a feat to become proficient.

 

[Ginnel]

My Fighter is a true warrior, a walking armory. For long distance marches he'll tend to have his light shield on, nearing known enemy strongholds its heavy shield time, if he's climbing, jumping about a lot light shield again.

Of course he'll also go Longspear when he wants because of his two handed weapon fighting class feature