Ranger using Shield

[Cyri'kazzen the Drow]

The ranger in our group has looked into using a Shield as his off hand weapon so that against weaker creatures he can use it as a weapon and against stronger creatures he uses it as protection. I read the PHB on page 106 and sure enough a shield is considered a light weapon. Is there any rule I am missing to would not allow the ranger to do this? If not its not a bad way to go for the ranger in our group because he has a lower AC.

 

[Cyri'kazzen the Drow]

Also.....

Also he has Quick Draw. How would that affect him going from his bow to his long sword and shield? Is the shield considered a weapon in this case?

 

[Terramotus]

As long as the shield is a light shield, he should have no problems alternating between shield bashing and using it for AC. He might want to consider the Improved Shield Bash feat - one of my players swears by it.

As to the use of a longbow, if he has quickdraw, he could conceivably drop his sword and shield as a free action and quickdraw the longbow as a free action, allowing him to change weapons pretty much instantly. Picking them up, however, would be a move-equivalent that provokes and Attack of Opportunity. Personally, as long has he dropped them in the same place and had both hands free, I'd go ahead and let him pick them both up at the same time if he needed to in combat.

 

[paulewaug]

OOhh! I have a "Ranger/TwoWeapon Fighting Style" question too:

If they are using a weapon and a shield and spiked armor,
can they attack with the weapon and the spiked armor and still use the shield for defence (in the same round of course )?

 

[Balgus]

If he is going to use a light shield anyways, he should just buy a buckler. It gives the same bonus, and looks a helluva lot better on a ranger than dropping your bow and pulling out the sword and shield.

Besides, what archer is willing to drop his magical bow? the Rogue in my group would rather take the hits in melee and constantly step back than drop his bow. It's a principle thing.

 

[HeavyG]

Unfortunately, Balgus, you can't shield bash with a buckler.



*goes check*

Nope, still can't.

 

[Plane Sailing]

It is a fine idea, especially if he takes a spiked light shield.

Then he has the AC bonus whenever he is not taking full attacks, which is very helpful. And if he picks up the improved shield bash feat he keeps the AC bonus even on his full attacks too! What's not to like about that

 

[reapersaurus]

It's the Shield Expert feat that allows you to retain the AC bonus from the shield, even if used as a weapon.
Not the Improved Shield Bash - that does the free 5' Bull Rush with an attack.

 

[Pbartender]

It's the Shield Expert feat that allows you to retain the AC bonus from the shield, even if used as a weapon.
Not the Improved Shield Bash - that does the free 5' Bull Rush with an attack.

Read the 3.5 Player's Handbook. Shield Expert was renamed Improved Shield Bash...

From the SRD:

IMPROVED SHIELD BASH [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Shield Proficiency.
Benefit: When you perform a shield bash, you may still apply the shield’s shield bonus to your AC.
Normal: Without this feat, a character who performs a shield bash loses the shield’s shield bonus to AC until his or her next turn.
Special: A fighter may select Improved Shield Bash as one of his fighter bonus feats.

 

[Vysirez]

Read the 3.5 Player's Handbook. Shield Expert was renamed Improved Shield Bash...

And massive confusoin ensued....