Shields and Penalties

[Shadeus]

Do arcane spellcasters suffer the arcane spell failure chance regardless if they are readying the shield? For example, if the shield is slung across their back, do they still suffer the spell failure chance?

Same with the armor check penalty. If the shield is not being actively used, does the penalty still apply?

Currently we play that it does. My DM rationalizes that if you have a large shield strapped to your back, it makes it more difficult to hide, move silently, etc.

Is there a clear rule on this in the books? What do you use?

 

[Darklone]

Common sense. Depending on shield size and weight.

 

[Shadeus]

That's just the problem. A buckler and a masterwork large steel shield have the same armor check penalty. Why would the buckler's -1 penalty apply when its being readied only when its supposed to be equally as encumbering as the large shield (or at least has the same penalty).

It seems pretty inconsistent to me.

 

[kreynolds]

Do arcane spellcasters suffer the arcane spell failure chance regardless if they are readying the shield? For example, if the shield is slung across their back, do they still suffer the spell failure chance?

Same with the armor check penalty. If the shield is not being actively used, does the penalty still apply?

Why would it apply if you're not using it? The same could be said of a +1 greatsword strapped to your back nailing you with a circumstance penalty to Dex skills, but that wouldn't make much sense.

 

[Artoomis]

Re: Re: Shields and Penalties

Why would it apply if you're not using it? The same could be said of a +1 greatsword strapped to your back nailing you with a circumstance penalty to Dex skills, but that wouldn't make much sense.

Actually, it would make a great deal of sense, but it tends to make overly cumbersome rules and such rules are not included in 3e as written. Shields don't affect you for good or ill unless you are using them - except for their weight, of course.

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Re: Shields and Penalties

Actually, it would make a great deal of sense

Only if you're playing GURPS or live-action DnD, and in the case of live-action, well, I think it's safe to say that any armor check penalties will be assigned automatically.

 

[Artoomis]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Shields and Penalties

Only if you're playing GURPS or live-action DnD, and in the case of live-action, well, I think it's safe to say that any armor check penalties will be assigned automatically.

That's, more or less, what I was saying. Making "sense" in a generic sense is one thing, making sense wihtint the context of D&D is another. We agree.

 

[Dingleberry]

I guess we could always look at the PHB (p. 104), which states: "If you are wearing armor and USING a shield, both armor check penalties apply." (emphasis mine)

 

[kreynolds]

I guess we could always look at the PHB (p. 104), which states: "If you are wearing armor and USING a shield, both armor check penalties apply." (emphasis mine)

Yeah, but that would be too easy.

 

[Dingleberry]

I'm a simple fellow.