Shields and item slots

[Dalzig]

Does a non-magical sheild count toward your armslot? i.e. Can you wear a pair of magic bracers and then pick up a mundane sheild for the AC and ref bonus?

Yes, you can have a pair of magic bracers and a mundane shield (or vice versa, if you really wanted). The items slots being discussed are magic item slots. They have little bearing on how much you can physically wear.

PHB 224 - "You can benefit from only one magic item that you wear in your arms slot even if, practically speaking, you can wear bracers and carry a shield at the same time."

 

[-Avalon-]

I believe we have a question for the sage lol... Need to ask the sage if one can wear a set of magical bracers and a mundane heavy shield, and gain the benefits from both

I would really be very interested to see if this would work or not...

I think I shall inquire now...

EDIT: Inquired-
Seeing as how one is limited to gaining the benefits of only one magic item per item slot, would it be possible to wear a perfectly mundane heavy shield while wearing magical bracers, and gain the +2 AC/Reflex from the heavy shield while gaining the benefits of the magical bracers in question? If not, what sort of action would it be to switch between gaining the AC/Reflex and the bracers' ability?

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Page Number: 224
Book Name: Player's Handbook

090107-000472

Who knows, might make things quite interesting... will let you know the answer when I see it =)

 

[Danceofmasks]

From AV p.10:

Spiked Shield: <blah fluff> Although a character cannot use two shields at the same time, a character wielding a spiked shield enchanted as a weapon can employ arms slot items such as bracers.


Make of that what you will, but frankly, the question shouldn't even need asking.

 

[Eldorian]

You can wear magic bracers and gain the benefit of both them and a mundane shield. This was asked of Custserv at least. It also makes sense logically.

The offhand of a light shield cannot be used to wield an item, and every magical weapon or implement must be wielding to get any effects out of them. Basically the only use of this hand is to wear a glove, hold things, and perhaps drink a potion.

Magic bracers prevent you from using a magic shield, and I fail to see how you'd put on a magic shield before putting on magic bracers, so if you wear both, I'd say the bracers are the only ones with any effects.

 

[CapnZapp]

Thanks, all!

From AV p.10:

Spiked Shield: <blah fluff> Although a character cannot use two shields at the same time, a character wielding a spiked shield enchanted as a weapon can employ arms slot items such as bracers.

Shame you didn't quote the "blah fluff", because that's actually rules, and this is the text that you need to make sense out of the item if you don't have AV and only see this post.

(The explanation is: A spiked shield enchanted as a weapon can be considered to be a weapon for all purposes. Thus it's fairly natural it doesn't occupy the arms slot. The only thing "shieldy" about it (in this configuration) is that it is "combined with a light shield". A mundane light shield, I suppose.

Conversely, the spiked shield as-shield can be given magical power as any other light shield, occupies the arms slot, but it does act as if you're holding a light blade in that hand too. A mundane light blade, that is, giving some modest damage if used to attack)

 

[-Avalon-]

Response: (strangely familiar, good job on the answer you gave btw!)

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Thank you for contacting us. While practically speaking, you can wear bracers and carry a mundane shield at the same time, you benefit from the item you put on first; any other item you put in the same item slot doesn't function for you until you take off the first item. This is as the rules are written. Your DM could always make a different call, but that will be up to them. Please let me know if you need anymore help!

Good Gaming!

Marc
Online Response Crew
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[deleteme123456]

It's a standard action to drop or equip a shield. You're not just holding it in your hand--you've got it strapped/buckled/etc. on. If your DM is generous, you might not need a separate minor to pick it up if you're going to spend the standard to attach it anyway.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

I was a bit confused and for some reason was thinking that bracers were the hands slot, not the arm slot (yes I know this makes no sense, blame it on my old-mannedness).

DS