Ring of Force Shield and Two-handed weapons

[Gromm]

Thanks for the input in the second half of your post.

In all honestly I don't know where I was going with the first part of it.

I really should have editted the first section out and just left the second. Sorry for the moment of stupidity (though it DOES bug me that people always try to read in things in the rules).

 

[kreynolds]

In all honestly I don't know where I was going with the first part of it.

In all honesty, I don't either, but I think I expressed that already.

I really should have editted the first section out and just left the second.

I'm not too worried about it. I've done it before too.

Sorry for the moment of stupidity (though it DOES bug me that people always try to read in things in the rules).

You misunderstand me. I wasn't simply "reading into the rules". I'm a magic item freak (it's a hobby), and if there is one thing I have learned, it's this: Though they are most certainly connected to the "rules", they are also the most prominent aspect of the game that tend to break the rules. My goal was to figure out what "rules" the Ring of Force Shield was breaking, and determine if the price was justified.

 

[AGGEMAM]

It is a 'normal' shield, it gives +2 armor bonus, that means it is a large shield for all proficiencies and the like.

That said, it's functions in all other ways as a buckler.

You can use it with skill checks and casting spells without penalties.

If you attack with 2-hnd wpn's however, you loose the AC bonus for the entire round, ie up to your next initiative count.

 

[Tony Vargas]

I don't see why you couldn't whack away with your greatsword, then activate your ring and benefit from the AC. You aren't really getting away with all that much - you get a +2 AC (the thing doesn't get enhancement bonuses), but you don't threaten between phases, opening yourself up to grappling, untrained disarm attempts (without the +4 for holding your weapon two handed), and a host of other outre tactics that normally provoke AoOs.

Going with a bastard sword or the like could also work, though you'd be doing less damage overall, and lose the x1.5 STR bonuse between phases, while wielding it one-handed.

I suppose you could also pull this trick with a buckler, with similar results. If someone were frustrated by your slightly higher AC, BTW, they could Ready thier attack and strike as soon as you double-grip your weapon, obviating the shield...

 

[nwn_deadman]

Seems to me that this magic item is meant to be a way for spell casters or other classes that do not get shield proficiency.

The cost of a large shield +2 is about 4000, but you need shield proficiency to be able to use it correctly.

Think of the extra cost as a way around the proficiency limits.

 

[kreynolds]

Seems to me that this magic item is meant to be a way for spell casters or other classes that do not get shield proficiency.

The cost of a large shield +2 is about 4000, but you need shield proficiency to be able to use it correctly.

Think of the extra cost as a way around the proficiency limits.

Damn good point about the shield proficiency. I figure that the additional 4,500gp of the item not only provides the appropriate proficiency, but it also accounts for the complete removal of armor check penalties and arcane spell failure chances.

Best damn argument I've seen yet. Just when I think all hope is lost, nwn_deadman saves the day. Thanks man. That was the missing "rule break" I'd been looking for.

 

[Caliban]

Since it's a free action to create or dismiss the shield, you can theoretically dismiss it at the beginning of your action, attack with your two handed weapon, and then create the shield again at the end of your action.

However, you would not be able to use the two handed weapon to make AoO's while you are using the shield. A weapon such as a bastard sword or waraxe would allow you to make one-handed AoO's while benefiting from the shield AC. Or you can use a weapon that's normally one-handed for you and just make two-handed attacks with it, and one-handed AoO's. Or you could use Monkey-Grip and just have a -2 on all your AoO's.



It really isn't all that great for spellcasters. It won't stack with mage armor or bracers of armor, since it grants an armor bonus like a normal shield.

For melee characters, it's not as effective as a normal shield, since even a +1 large shield provides a better AC.

It only has two real advantages over a normal shield:

1) Since it's force based it will protect against incorporeal attacks.
2) It gives fighters with a two-handed weapon +2 AC when they aren't attacking. But it's really only optimized for characters who can switch between one-handed and two-handed attacks.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Hmm.
You don`t need the Profiency with a Shield or a Armor to be able to use it. You just suffer some penalties.

In case of a Mitrhal Buckler +1, you wouldn´t suffer any penalties, (even as a wizard), and still got a +2 to armor class...

 

[kreynolds]

Since it's a free action to create or dismiss the shield, you can theoretically dismiss it at the beginning of your action, attack with your two handed weapon, and then create the shield again at the end of your action.

However, you would not be able to use the two handed weapon to make AoO's while you are using the shield. A weapon such as a bastard sword or waraxe would allow you to make one-handed AoO's while benefiting from the shield AC. Or you can use a weapon that's normally one-handed for you and just make two-handed attacks with it, and one-handed AoO's. Or you could use Monkey-Grip and just have a -2 on all your AoO's.



It really isn't all that great for spellcasters. It won't stack with mage armor or bracers of armor, since it grants an armor bonus like a normal shield.

For melee characters, it's not as effective as a normal shield, since even a +1 large shield provides a better AC.

It only has two real advantages over a normal shield:

1) Since it's force based it will protect against incorporeal attacks.
2) It gives fighters with a two-handed weapon +2 AC when they aren't attacking. But it's really only optimized for characters who can switch between one-handed and two-handed attacks.

Yup. That's why I'm allowing the ring to grant the AC bonus, even if you take an attack action. Obviously, many disagree with me on this, but oh well.

 

[kreynolds]

Hmm.

Hmm.

You don`t need the Profiency with a Shield or a Armor to be able to use it. You just suffer some penalties.

Yup. It's nice that a shield wouldn't be totally worthless.

In case of a Mitrhal Buckler +1, you wouldn´t suffer any penalties, (even as a wizard), and still got a +2 to armor class...

Mithril does not grant shield proficiencies, so yes, you would still suffer penalties. If you were referring to armor check penalties and arcane spell failure chances, well, that's different.