Using a buckler

[Kae'Yoss]

So you wouldn't let someone who was focused on duel-wielding daggers in your game, Kae-Yoss?

Of course I would. In one hand, he uses a thrown weapon, in the other, a melee weapon. Since a dagger is one-handed, that tactic works. But switching the dagger from "melee-position" to "throwing position" is the same as drawing a weapon.

What about a thri-kreen with a crossbow and 2 melee weapons?

Now you're getting rediculous. We're talking about characters with two arms, not ones with more than that. They can carry a weapon in each arm, but not more than that.

Or someone with a sling in one hand and a shortsword in the other?

Sure. No problem, two one-handed weapons, two hands. Note that two-weapon fighting won't apply to that one (you either need improved twf or armed to the teeth).

There are several ways you can combine melee and ranged combat. Saying you wouldn't allow something because of your interpretation of the intent of the rules is just wrong in my oppinion. If it's not against the rules, I don't think it should be expressly disallowed.

We aren't talking about a ranged weapon in one hand and a melee weapon in the other. We're talking about using both hands with a (very strong) ranged weapon plus another melee weapon in one of the hands already in use. It won't be allowed in my game since it's simply unbalancing. Archers are strong enough as it is, they don't need further bonuses.

Frankly, those remarks were a load of bullpucky. If I were an archer and I knew just how exposed I was (ie, had some idea to how things work in reguards to AoOs, etc), I would WANT to be able to defend myself adequatly in melee should the need arise. It's just like the Rope Trick spell: were I a spellcaster, it would make sense that I would want to have a spell that gives me a reasonably safe, dry, environmental hazard-free place to rest no matter where I was.

Likewise, if I'm a bowman, it's reasonable that you would want to be able to defend yourself, and not be totally squishy and helpless, should some guy come running up with a sword.

Then, as an archer, I'd carry a melee weapon to switch to, if the need arises.

As said before: It's a balance issue.

I stand by my earlier statement on this one. To attack with Armor Spikes, as far as I am concerned, requires a free hand. That's implied when it is stated that you can make a regular melee attack (or off-hand attack).

I second that.

 

[Sejs]

But switching the dagger from "melee-position" to "throwing position" is the same as drawing a weapon.

I was not aware of that. Could you give me a page reference where that would be found? The way I've been doing it was, that if a weapon can be used both melee and thrown (daggers, throwing axes, spears, etc) then you could just throw it as a normal attack, rather than use it in melee.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I was not aware of that. Could you give me a page reference where that would be found? The way I've been doing it was, that if a weapon can be used both melee and thrown (daggers, throwing axes, spears, etc) then you could just throw it as a normal attack, rather than use it in melee.

Yup. Three iterative attacks? Stab, stab, throw is just fine, as far as I know.

-Hyp.

 

[Maitre Du Donjon]

I personaly hope they fix the Buckler in 3.5

There is no reason to spend 15gp on a shield that you are suppose to use with a weapon in that hand but still dont get the AB bonus.

There is no reason to not use a Small shield as you get everything the Buckler gives you and it cost less.

I can count on one hand the number of times I have not attacked useing a 2-H Sword and Buckler to keep the the AC.

Do kotes still exist? OA maybe? I think it was in the 2nd edition fighter guide. They basically were shield bracers that left your hands free.

Maitre D

 

[melkoriii]

Do kotes still exist? OA maybe? I think it was in the 2nd edition fighter guide. They basically were shield bracers that left your hands free.

Maitre D

Im not sure.

My main thing is that the buckler is there to be used with a weapon in your hand but if you use the weapon (as most do) then its just wieght on your arm.

make it so you get a -1 to hit if you use that hand and get a +1 AC all the time. Im mean its just 1 AC and if you spent the gp to enchant it its still only 1 ac. You can get more from a normal shield and can get the Animated enchantment to make it handless.

My 12th lvl Barbarian used a Falchion and Animated Large Shield.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Im mean its just 1 AC and if you spent the gp to enchant it its still only 1 ac.

Huh? Am I missing something?

Doesn't a +3 buckler give a +4 Armor Bonus?

-Hyp.

 

[Camarath]

I stand by my earlier statement on this one. To attack with Armor Spikes, as far as I am concerned, requires a free hand. That's implied when it is stated that you can make a regular melee attack (or off-hand attack). [/B]

How do you attack with a Spiked Chain Shirt? It would seem to me that since the armor only covers your torso, you use your torso to attack. I think armor spikes are a weapon that functions like the monk's unarmed strike.

Hypersmurf, I think melkoriii is talking about custom rules (I might by wrong though).

Maitre Du Donjon there are Dastana in OA which are kind of like what you are talking about. They are not shields but armor bracers that give you +1 (armor bonus) to AC that stacks with your foundation armor (Padded, Leather, and Chain Shirt only). The Chahar-Aina is a mini breast plate that functions in the same way.

 

[Steverooo]

Do kotes still exist? OA maybe? I think it was in the 2nd edition fighter guide. They basically were shield bracers that left your hands free.

Kote? I thought those were for the leg, between the knee and ankle? Maybe I'm misremembering... Anyway, you can get a pair of Dastana (Arms & Equipment Guide, IIRC) which give +1 AC...

 

[Steverooo]

Yep, Bucklers iz Ridiculous!

A "Swash" is a sweeping smash maneuver... When conducted with a Buckler, this maneuver gives rise to a fighting style known as "Swashbuckling".

In 3e, one may not conduct shield bashes with a Buckler (unless it is a magical Buckler of Bashing).

Historically, spiked Bucklers existed. In 1.5e (the ORIGINAL Unearthed Arcana) they also existed. In 3e, they are also disallowed.

 

[Sejs]

Primary Weapon/Longsword (full iterative), Secondary Weapon/Spiked Gauntlet (single attack), Spiked Buckler (left; single attack), Spiked Buckler (right; single attack), Armor Spikes (single attack), Blade Boot (left; single attack), Blade Boot (right; single attack), Dancing Weapon/Longsword (full iterative).

Nah, I don't miss spiked bucklers much.

^_^