Using Bucklers without proficiency

[Particle_Man]

Its not a bug, its a feature!

I play a rogue that uses a masterwork buckler. Some notes:

1) It does have weight, and that matters when you are trying to keep your encumbrance light. (Oh, for a mithral masterwork buckler!)

2) Minor point, but you can't take any feats that require a proficiency in shield as a prerequisite.

Overall, it has not caused my rogue to outshine everyone, or indeed anyone (my rings of blinking and telekinesis, on the other hand...) . And it sort of fits with the character concept of rogue, IMHO(smallish weapons, smallish shield). Also, weren't thieves allowed to use bucklers in AD&D 1.5 (Unearthed Arcana)? Or maybe my memory betrays me.

As for sorcerors using it, I think the first time a spell fizzles on them they would drop the buckler like a hot potato. But if they want to take that risk, you might as well let them.

 

[nimisgod]

In any game I played in or DMed, Clerics routinely use spells with somatic and material components while juggling a large shield, a mace and/or a holy symbol.

Same story with Wizards/Sorcerers and Quarterstaffs or wands.

In all the games I play, I enforce these rules on PCs and NPCs. The cleric has to drop his weapon, the wizard, temporarily relinquish his two handed grip on the quarterstaff, etc.

Hey, clerics already get to cast spells in armor. Its not like they're losing that much. But its your game, not mine.

Whether the ruling or wrong is not is subjective. Some people don't give a damn what the Sage says. Other people worship him as a gawd. I'm neither. but like I said "If it means anything to you"

-_-'

As for the fencing bit, some people don't seem to notice that I've put the words "some fencers" instead of "all fencers cuz I know you are all wrong". The history channel ain't the be all and end all, I know. I, myself, was thinking of using the buckler for shield punching or for arrow blocking. Okay... now that's out of topic...

 

[daemonslye]

Also, weren't thieves allowed to use bucklers in AD&D 1.5 (Unearthed Arcana)?

That was assassins in 1.0E - they could use shields.

~D

 

[BeauNiddle]

In all the games I play, I enforce these rules on PCs and NPCs. The cleric has to drop his weapon, the wizard, temporarily relinquish his two handed grip on the quarterstaff, etc.

Hey, clerics already get to cast spells in armor. Its not like they're losing that much. But its your game, not mine.

IIRC when using a small shield you can hold something in that hand but not use (manipulate it). As such I have my cleric pass his weapon to the shield hand (free action), cast the spell (standard), move the weapon back (free action), MA if desired.

It limits clerics to small shields (or bucklers) but that's not much of a price and it stops squabbles about whether they had drawn their weapon, where they dropped it, etc.

 

[nimisgod]

Great solution there, BeauNiddle.

I just remembered my friend's Spellsword doing the same, except that he used a buckler. He transferred his Gr. sword to his left hand to cast his spells then transferred it back.

 

[Will]

Personally, I think clerics are powerful enough as is without limiting one of the (very few) limitations on their casting.

A buckler is perfect because, fine, you use that hand and pass on the AC benefit when casting a spell. And then next round, use it as a shield again.