Why don't clerics get Shield proficiency?

[Silverblade The Ench]

seems odd, chain mail, yes, they have skill withm but shield...no?!

 

[keterys]

Because many clerics don't use shields, and the ones who do can spend a feat?

 

[Gargoyle]

To differientate them more from paladins I suppose. I picture my cleric with a mace in one hand and a holy symbol in the other anyway.

 

[Stalker0]

To differientate them more from paladins I suppose. I picture my cleric with a mace in one hand and a holy symbol in the other anyway.

More to differentiate than from warlords, who are supposed to be more martial.

 

[phil500]

and also- because they were too uber in 3.5

no one should have been casting save or die effects or d6 per level damage spells in full plate+shield for free.

spending the feats isnt as much as an issue as the prerequisites, imo.

 

[MindWanderer]

To differientate them more from paladins I suppose. I picture my cleric with a mace in one hand and a holy symbol in the other anyway.

Holy symbols don't have to be held to function.

 

[Gloombunny]

So my cleric of the Raven Queen can wield a scythe without wasting a class feature, of course.

 

[Gargoyle]

Holy symbols don't have to be held to function.

Yep, I knew that. As I said, that's just how I picture him.

I guess functionally I'd be better off wearing it and carrying a light source or something though.

 

[Zsig]

Why does priests Clerics can't use shields?

I take it you never played WoW ...

Kidding aside, I have no idea an I found it a bit unfair....
Looking at all classes provided in this first PHB, Clerics are the worst when it comes to AC.

-They have poor Dex/Int, so light armor is not an option for them.
-The only heavy armor they got available is Chain, which is the worst among them, and even if you spend a feat, you might not meet the requirements.
-No shield profeciency.


Given that, I understand that the idea is to be a backliner (just like in... eh... WoW? I kid ,I kid )

 

[Jack Colby]

Because many clerics don't use shields, and the ones who do can spend a feat?

I can't remember ever seeing someone play a cleric without a shield.