Two Handed Fighting and a Shield?

[Matafuego]

One of my players say that while fighting with a 2 Handed Weapon you can use a Small Shield (strapped on your arm) with no penalty. I remember reading something like that a while ago but today I woke up wondering

"What is then the advantage of Shield and Sword over Big Large 2 Handed Sword (and a strapped on shield)?"

Is it the ability to use a Large Shield? (only +1 AC)
Am I missing something?
Does it apply to TWF too?

Thanks a lot for the attention =)

 

[Ottergame]

One of my players say that while fighting with a 2 Handed Weapon you can use a Small Shield (strapped on your arm) with no penalty. I remember reading something like that a while ago but today I woke up wondering

"What is then the advantage of Shield and Sword over Big Large 2 Handed Sword (and a strapped on shield)?"

Is it the ability to use a Large Shield? (only +1 AC)
Am I missing something?
Does it apply to TWF too?

Thanks a lot for the attention =)

You can use a BUCKLER with a two handed weapon (or with two weapons), but you get a -1 penalty on attacks while you do so. You CANNOT use a light shield like that. This is all spelled out in the armor chapter, on pages 124 and 125.

 

[Pinotage]

Also, while you can use a buckler and wield a two-handed weapon, you don't get the benefit of the buckler's AC. Here's the relevant bit from the SRD:

Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

Presumably, however, while you don't get AC benefit from the buckler, any special abilities of the shield, such as Acid Resistance, would still apply.

Pinotage

 

[Liquidsabre]

And Improved Buckler Defense only allows two-weapon fighters to use a buckler and wiled both weapons. It doesn't work for 2-handed weapon wielders unfortunately.

 

[Greylock]

Light shield, the PHB is specific. The shield hand can hold one item, such as a lantern, but you may not use it to wield a weapon.

 

[Darmanicus]

Just get yourself an animated tower shield, works for me!

 

[sfedi]

Ok, I'm a two handed weapon wielder, I get my first Animated Shield
either a +1 Animated Large Shield or a +1 Animated Tower Shield (an inccur a -2 penalty to attack rolls).
This will effectively improve my AC by 3.
And I've spent the same as a +3 shield.

A Sword/Shield spending the same money would have a +3 shield,
having 2 more AC than the previous guy.

BUT he won't be able to Power Attack 2-1 as him.

How can the Sword/Shield combination compete?

 

[Telperion]

How can the Sword/Shield combination compete?

Good point . No way that I can see. There are probably a few feats that the sword/shield character can use and your character can't.

Such as:

• Improved Shield Bash
• Shield Charge
• Shield Slam

On the other hand I have yet to see a single character who has actually specialized in using a shield as an offensive weapon. Other than those feats don't see any reason why a warrior type character wouldn't want an animated shield. Having less Dex than 15 isn't even a problem, since using a weapon with both hands is always better than using it with only one hand. Well, light weapons are an exception, but other than that...can't think of any reason why not...

 

[Darklone]

Because animated shields are uncool. And often banned

And not an option in low level games.