D&D 5E Shield Saltiness

[Rabulias]

I wonder if readying a shield as a bonus action (or even a free action) might be good to add to the Shield Master feat?

 

[Guest 6801328]

There is a bigger issue at play here; why is the Paladin PC walking around town in full plate and with a shield strapped to his arm.

Because if he's attacked, however likely/unlikely that is, he doesn't want to waste an action equipping his shield.

You may as well ask, why are the other characters carrying any weapons at all? Why did the Wizard memorize spells that morning?

Whatever RAW states, I agree that it's seems like one fighting style...sword & board...has penalties that none of the others face. If the reasoning behind it is that sword & board is powerful than the others and needs some kind of penalty to balance it out I could see it. But in the absence of that, it feels arbitrary.

 

[humble minion]

I dont agree with this at all. At that point, you're not wielding a 2 handed axe, you're wielding a Halberd or similar Pole arm.

For mine 'Great axe' is a largish axe that requires two hands to use effectively; something like a Dane Axe (which had hafts around 1.5 meters or 5' in length).

View attachment 129858

A Hand axe for mine is a tomahawk, Viking axe or hatchet in size (max 3' haft). A Great axe is up to 6' in length (think a fire axe or Dane axe). When the haft of the weapon is over 6 foot long, you're firmly in Pole arm territory (Halberd or Pole Axe).

Unless that guy is 9 feet tall, there is no earthly way the haft of that axe is 5 feet long. A 5 ft haft is BIG and unwieldy, and you're never going to carry it slung over your back without continually tripping over it, much less be able to disentangle it from its harness and swing it into action quickly.

(though to be honest, I suspect the D&D 'greataxe' is mostly a fantasy creation or inspired by ornamental or executioner's weapons not intended for combat. Some bardiches, Lochabers etc might come close, but they were hardly commonplace weapons...)

 

[Flamestrike]

Because if he's attacked, however likely/unlikely that is, he doesn't want to waste an action equipping his shield.

Then he can use his Longsword two handed (it is a Versatile weapon after all). Or equip his shield, and use his Bonus action to cast a Smite spell.

It's such a corner case as to not be an issue at all.

 

[Flamestrike]

Unless that guy is 9 feet tall, there is no earthly way the haft of that axe is 5 feet long. A 5 ft haft is BIG and unwieldy, and you're never going to carry it slung over your back without continually tripping over it, much less be able to disentangle it from its harness and swing it into action quickly.

(though to be honest, I suspect the D&D 'greataxe' is mostly a fantasy creation or inspired by ornamental or executioner's weapons not intended for combat. Some bardiches, Lochabers etc might come close, but they were hardly commonplace weapons...)

At a glace I'd say closer to 3 and half to 4' in length. Dane Axes (Axes that require 2 hands to use effectively) had a length of around 4'.

It's something roughly the size of a modern Fire axe or Felling axe. You need 2 hands to use them effectively too.

 

[Shiroiken]

I have moved Donning/Doffing a Shield to a bonus action in my campaign. I did this because no one ever wanted to use a shield due to the restriction, preferring two handed and a few two weapons. It made using a shield slightly more desirable, but the impact has really been minimal. It primarily only comes up when attacked during a long rest.

As for wearing armor and shields in town, in a civilized area it would likely be customary to leave larger armor (definitely heavy, and probably medium) and shields at an inn or wherever the party is staying. Large weapons, especially polearms, would also be expected to remain behind as well. In less civilized locations, no one is going unarmored or unarmed, as it's just not safe. Even in a civilized area, after the first ambush in town I'd go get my stuff and never take it off except to sleep or if forced by local authority (in which case I may leave).

 

[Flamestrike]

Even in a civilized area, after the first ambush in town I'd go get my stuff and never take it off except to sleep or if forced by local authority (in which case I may leave).

Except no-one actually does that.

Like, you might find the odd weirdo in the rear echelon that never takes off his plate carrier and helmet for the months after a mortar attack, but they're the exception.

 

[Shiroiken]

Except no-one actually does that.

Like, you might find the odd weirdo in the rear echelon that never takes off his plate carrier and helmet for the months after a mortar attack, but they're the exception.

I meant only while in that town, or at least until the cause is resolved. Going about unarmored and possibly unarmed after learning that the area is extremely hazardous (such as in Curse of Strahd) is suicidal. Perhaps in an inn or other sanctuary one could relax, but otherwise everyone should be prepared as much as possible.

 

[Baldurs_Underdark]

We never bother with such details. There is one character sheet, and that describes the characters in all situations - in town and in a dungeon. The DM needs to adjust the CR of an encounter to the abilities of the party anyway, so in the end donning and doffing is just a bookkeeping exercise. Taking away an action from one player (in a game where combat often only lasts 2-4 rounds) is petty.

I find that in D&D it is hugely important to keep the pace of the game high. Bookkeeping exercises in the game usually encourage players to start building dice towers.

 

[Flamestrike]

I meant only while in that town, or at least until the cause is resolved. Going about unarmored and possibly unarmed after learning that the area is extremely hazardous (such as in Curse of Strahd) is suicidal. Perhaps in an inn or other sanctuary one could relax, but otherwise everyone should be prepared as much as possible.

If you're in some kind of murder city where people are trying to attack you on a daily basis, then yeah.

I cant see the 'authorities' in Barovia caring one iota if PCs are armed and armored in town, or the locals caring at all about it either.

Barovia is certainly a setting where I'd be in armor near constantly. But a trip to Baldurs Gate in Faerun? Im hitting a warm bath, donning a comfortable set of fine clothes, and leaving the armor behind while in Town.