Rogue with Shield

[Istar]

I know a little odd, but thinking of having a shield for a defensive option, special shield that I can transfer THP to the rest of the party.

Can a rogue use a shield - light shield - without having a feat to gain proficicney.

I know he doesnt get the benefit of the +1 to ac and reflex, that is clear, but it doesnt say you cant benefit from the magical properties.

Is that about right ?

 

[Aulirophile]

Can't actually find the rules text, oddly enough I believe you can (the -1 to all str/dex based skill checks still applies as well). BUT! shields take up the Arms slot, meaning you don't get Iron Armbands of Power. As a single-target melee striker that is a huge hit and very much not worth it.

 

[DracoSuave]

I know a little odd, but thinking of having a shield for a defensive option, special shield that I can transfer THP to the rest of the party.

Can a rogue use a shield - light shield - without having a feat to gain proficicney.

I know he doesnt get the benefit of the +1 to ac and reflex, that is clear, but it doesnt say you cant benefit from the magical properties.

Is that about right ?

Yeah that seems right, oddly enough. If it were armor, it'd give you -2 to attacks and another -2 to reflex, but... yeah.

Go for it?

 

[renau1g]

Can't actually find the rules text, oddly enough I believe you can (the -1 to all str/dex based skill checks still applies as well). BUT! shields take up the Arms slot, meaning you don't get Iron Armbands of Power. As a single-target melee striker that is a huge hit and very much not worth it.

Not everyone has a DM who gives them this item. I know our DM wouldn't grant them as treasure and doesn't offer a magical emporium where we can buy them. Not that it mattered much as I hate the flavourless item.

Note: There are some options for Blade and Buckler Duelist if you're interested Istar. They're in one of the more recent dragon magazines and are actually pretty good, if you're willing to give up a bit of damage for some more staying power.

 

[Wormwood]

BUT! shields take up the Arms slot, meaning you don't get Iron Armbands of Power.

I could be mistaken, but a *magical* shield takes up the Arms slot. A mundane one doesn't.

 

[renau1g]

OP wants to use a magical shield without being proficient in it as he wants the enchantment on the item.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

I know a little odd, but thinking of having a shield for a defensive option, special shield that I can transfer THP to the rest of the party.

Can a rogue use a shield - light shield - without having a feat to gain proficicney.

I know he doesnt get the benefit of the +1 to ac and reflex, that is clear, but it doesnt say you cant benefit from the magical properties.

Is that about right ?

You can definitely do it. Shield enchantments in general are just inferior to arms slot ones (even IAoP aside). From a build option standpoint I'd look at other arms slot items and see if you don't find something better than any shield. If its for RP purposes then why not take proficiency?

Note that you can also take a spiked shield, that gives you a secondary weapon, which could be handy.

 

[blargney the second]

My general recommendation for rogues that want the defensive bonus of a shield is to take a Rhythm Blade dagger. You effectively get a light shield without spending a feat or using your arms slot. Even better, it stacks with Two Weapon Defense to be as good as a heavy shield. It also works nicely with Two Weapon Fighting for bonus damage.

As for the OP, I haven't checked the errata but it looks like you can use a magic shield's power or properties even if you aren't proficient.

 

[Aulirophile]

Not everyone has a DM who gives them this item. I know our DM wouldn't grant them as treasure and doesn't offer a magical emporium where we can buy them. Not that it mattered much as I hate the flavourless item.

Note: There are some options for Blade and Buckler Duelist if you're interested Istar. They're in one of the more recent dragon magazines and are actually pretty good, if you're willing to give up a bit of damage for some more staying power.

Bracers are nearly universally better then shields anyway, even if you don't go for the best of them because of flavor. Or if your DM won't let have what you want. Either way.

I could be mistaken, but a *magical* shield takes up the Arms slot. A mundane one doesn't.

This is true... but he wants to use a magical shield. Using a non-magical shield you aren't proficient with is nothing but downsides.

 

[Istar]

I can generate up to 24 THP with a magic item on a crit, and the rogue is a crit fisher.

The shield lets me transfer the THP +3

So pretty powerful.

so good skill to have to pull this out when the party is in trouble and needs THP I can switch to healing mode - for a little drop in DPS.