Ring of force (shield ring)

[sty]

Can someone use a 2-handed wepon with this ring, and still get the AC bonus??

My point is, the ring is activated/deactivated with a free action and it is at will, so, when you attack, the shield disapear, and when you finsh your attack the ring activate the shield...

Isn´t it reasonable?

Maybe if you suffer an AoOp when attacking, you can´t get the benefit of the shield...

 

[mikebr99]

I'll say yes... just like I did the last time this came up. And it'll create the same multi-page debate again.

The item has the special property of being able to be turned off as a free action, which allows a spellcaster to turn it off, cast his spell, then turn it back on, and still have the benefits for AC (except for AoOs provoked while the thing is off).

So, why can't a Greatsword weilding person have the same benefits?

Let the debate commense...

 

[Henry]

I'll say yes... just like I did the last time this came up. And it'll create the same multi-page debate again.

The item has the special property of being able to be turned off as a free action, which allows a spellcaster to turn it off, cast his spell, then turn it back on, and still have the benefits for AC (except for AoOs provoked while the thing is off).

So, why can't a Greatsword weilding person have the same benefits?

Let the debate commense...

I can see one way to do it...

Ready an action that says, "attack him if he turns his shield ON." Since a readied action happens on the same init and just before the triggering action, then you can make an attack and not have to face the benefit of the shield. Seems an awful lot of work to defeat 2 AC points, though.

 

[Mr.Binx]

Just treat it the same way you treat a buckler without the -1 attack penalty due to weight since the shield is essentially weightless (not to mention the ring can be activated and deactivated as a free action).

 

[mikebr99]

I can see one way to do it...

Ready an action that says, "attack him if he turns his shield ON." Since a readied action happens on the same init and just before the triggering action, then you can make an attack and not have to face the benefit of the shield. Seems an awful lot of work to defeat 2 AC points, though.

Sure Henry... that'l work. But do you agree that a greatsword weilding person can normally hold the sword only in one hand, and on his turn:

move (move equiv.)
turn off ring (free action)
grab sword in two hands (free action)
attack (std. or full depending on amount of movement)
let go of sword from one hand (free action)
turn on ring (free action)

He would gain the AC benefits for the full turn except while the ring is actually off.

 

[Darke]

Wasn't there a limit of one free action per turn?

das Darke

 

[Mr.Binx]

Wasn't there a limit of one free action per turn?

das Darke

No, not unless otherwise stated. Most abilities will state "...once per round, as a free action..." or the like in their description. You can actually take an unlimited number of free actions with the DM being able to arbitrate out the absurd (i.e. "I use quick-draw to pull one arrow as a free action, then I use a free action to drop the arrow, repeat until I've gone through all the arrows in both my quivers.").

 

[mikebr99]

Wasn't there a limit of one free action per turn?

das Darke

Nope.. only one free action SPELL per round.

 

[Pielorinho]

I agree that it works this way. You're paying 8,000 GP (I think) for this shield; if you can't turn it off and back on in the same round, it's way overpriced.

Daniel

 

[Femerus the Gnecro]

This from the SRD:

Force Shield

An iron band, this simple ring generates a large shield-sized (and shield-shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a normal shield (+2 AC). This special creation, since it can be activated and deactivated at will (a free action), has no armor check penalty or arcane spell failure chance.

Caster Level: 9th; Prerequisites: Forge Ring, wall of force; Market Price: 8,500 gp

Wall of force, hmm? Does that mean that you gain some of the extra bennies as per the spell? Can a well placed disintegrate destroy the manifested part of the ring? Can it block magic missiles like the 'shield' spell?



-F