Small Shields

[Gunslinger]

I have never used a small shield or seen anyone use one in the year I have been playing D&D, with 4 different groups. Have you or anyone you have played with used one? What was the reasoning behind it?

 

[John Smallberries]

I've only seen one character use a Small Shield, and only because he can hold something in his hand while using it:

Fighter, wields a Glaive, Small Shield and a Long Sword.

Uses the Glaive two handed with the shield strapped to his left arm (Loosed).

When he's done with the Glaive, he uses a MEA to Ready the shield, a free action to transfer his grip on the Glaive (to his shield hand), then Quick Draw his Long Sword.

It's not very efficient, but there you go.

 

[Willtell]

Yes

Some rogues use a masterwork small shield which they can use without a Atk penalty, without having a shield proficiency. Some of my characters start a fight use combat reflexes and a longspear - If they have to move in later they then use the longsword and the buckler.

 

[DM with a vengence]

The big advantage of a small shield is that you are able hold things (like torches or holy symbols) in your hand while still being able to make shield bash attacks.

At higher levels of course, if you need light you just cast a Light spell, and if you want to shield bash then you're so tricked out that way you'd never go with the lower damage. And if you just want AC, then you take a buckler or large shield.

So basically they're useless unless your playing with all the rules.

 

[Darklone]

Simply weight? Ok, it's not much... but we had a character with strength about 10 and he wanted to avoid the medium encumbrance at all costs... (Dex 20).

 

[RedSwan78]

There really is no reason to use a small shield. Granted I've never looked at sheild bashing, so there MAY be a use there, but honestly, you're best to just go with a Buckler as the rules are written.

Personally, I think they screwed up when doing shields.. they ***should*** have done it this way:

Buckler +1
Small Shield +2
Large Shield +3

Then people might actually have a REASON to use a small shield instead of the buckler all the time. I do agree with what someone said up above, if you're a Rogue, MasterWork Buckler is THE way to go if you're using a one-handed weapon and not TWF.