Shatter vs. Armor

[Drommon]

Does the shatter spell work on armor and shields?

Drommon

 

[shilsen]

Yes, as long as they are within the weight limit.

 

[Antoine]

Does the shatter spell work on armor and shields?

Drommon

Single non magical object weighing less than 10 lbs per caster level.
If worn, gets the character will save.

Looks like it works to me.

You can also define that a shattered armor still provides some AC bonus since armor is made of many parts. But I'd probably rule it totally ruins a chain shirt for instance.

 

[thorian]

Shatter would work in this situation. The caster would have to use the targeted version of the spell and be high enough caster level (10/lbs per level), which shouldn't be too hard. The spell only effects non-magical materials, so this won't work against a magic shield, suit of armor or sword.

If the item in question is worn (or otherwise attended), the attendee gets a will save vs the shatter.

Antione brings up an interesting point that armor is usually comprised of many pieces, so you can go with a more "realistic" feel by having just the breastplate, pauldron or grieves shattered and then associate a comensurate AC penalty.

 

[0-hr]

Just to quibble:

Shatter creates a loud, ringing noise that breaks brittle, nonmagical objects; sunders a single solid, nonmagical object; or damages a crystalline creature.

So it won't shatter armor, but it will sunder it. IMO at least, sunder implies a single break whereas shattering implies hundreds of tiny pieces. There are some situations where it might make a difference.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So it won't shatter armor, but it will sunder it. IMO at least, sunder implies a single break whereas shattering implies hundreds of tiny pieces. There are some situations where it might make a difference.

Which brings you face to face with the rule from the Combat section: "You can’t sunder armor worn by another character."

-Hyp.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Which brings you face to face with the rule from the Combat section: "You can’t sunder armor worn by another character."

-Hyp.

YOU can't, but the SPELL can

AR

 

[MerakSpielman]

Apparently you can sunder your OWN armor, though. If you've been hit with a Heat Metal spell, it's just about the only way to avoid taking the damage... if a little extreme.

 

[apsuman]

Does the shatter spell work on armor and shields?

Drommon

Would it be more effective to shatter betls, backpacks, boots, or other items?

 

[shilsen]

Depends on the circumstance. Against the big beefy fighter with heavy armor and a shield, using shatter on his full plate might be great. Against the wizard with a masterwork buckler and a belt holding his spell component pouch, go for the belt.