Why no spiked bucklers?

[Darklone]

But you can see the potential for problems or abuse that spiked bucklers could bring up. Which was the point.


^_^

What's the problem with a small shield then? You can still hold something in your hand while using a small shield.

As for that buckler: Have players and DMs who use common sense and it won't be a problem. Aka: No guys with greatswords and two spiked bucklers plus two bladed boots and a horned helmet doing @§§-slam attacks with something sticking in their [ZENSORED]...

 

[Sejs]

What's the problem with a small shield then? You can still hold something in your hand while using a small shield.

No problem at all - while you can hold an item while using a small shield, spiked or not, you cannot wield a weapon in that hand.

 

[krunchyfrogg]

I see no problem with the spiked buckler, especially with the reduced damage proposed (they did 1d4 damage in 1e and 2e, IIRC).

It's a great weapon for a Ranger (3e). You can use your bow, with no penalty, and if you close to melee combat, the choice is yours: an offhand 1d4 weapon, or just fighting with one weapon, and using the buckler for defense.