Animated Shield and proficiency? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animated Shield and proficiency? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Toxaur
03-02-06, 12:31 PM I would think, that since you don't actually use an animated shield yourself, that you don't have to be proficient in it, and you don't receive penalties for not being proficient with it. This would also mean that you couldn't use feats related to using a shield without holding the shield. With an animated shield, the Magic uses it for you, and you don't even touch it or direct it, It's completely autonomous once you utter the command word.

Is this true? Am I right? I am considering getting an animated shield made for my warlock. Hopefully intelligent to make things more interesting.
Seeker95
03-02-06, 01:17 PM You would not need to be proficient with a dancing shield to gain its benefits *while it is dancing*.
Toxaur
03-02-06, 01:24 PM gracias!
jaelis
03-02-06, 01:29 PM Seeker is right of course, but animated is not dancing. A dancing shield could attack for you but would provide no defense. (I think.)

As for animated:

Animated: Upon command, an animated shield floats within 2 feet of the wielder, protecting her as if she were using it herself but freeing up both her hands. Only one shield can protect a character at a time. A character with an animated shield still takes any penalties associated with shield use, such as armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, and nonproficiency.

Seems pretty clear you need to be proficient to avoid the penalty.
Toxaur
03-02-06, 01:49 PM ahhhh thank you. I hadn't read up on it in a while.
Seeker95
03-02-06, 03:12 PM jaelis, thank you very much for not making me look bad when I did a good enough job of it on my own! :tiphat:
rkr1970
03-05-06, 01:54 PM The way it's written, it's hard to use and even harder to understand for many players, so rather than explain why an animated shield interferes with spell casting while floating around you, I just gave it a 5 round duration each time it's activated. I use the house rule that, unless the shield is actively animated (a standard action that provokes an AoO), then all penalties apply normally. While activated, it provides the normal protection, but no penalties accrue. This stops a lot of whining... ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Toxaur 03-02-06, 12:31 PM	I would think, that since you don't actually use an animated shield yourself, that you don't have to be proficient in it, and you don't receive penalties for not being proficient with it. This would also mean that you couldn't use feats related to using a shield without holding the shield. With an animated shield, the Magic uses it for you, and you don't even touch it or direct it, It's completely autonomous once you utter the command word. Is this true? Am I right? I am considering getting an animated shield made for my warlock. Hopefully intelligent to make things more interesting.
Seeker95 03-02-06, 01:17 PM	You would not need to be proficient with a dancing shield to gain its benefits while it is dancing.
Toxaur 03-02-06, 01:24 PM	gracias!
jaelis 03-02-06, 01:29 PM	Seeker is right of course, but animated is not dancing. A dancing shield could attack for you but would provide no defense. (I think.) As for animated: Animated: Upon command, an animated shield floats within 2 feet of the wielder, protecting her as if she were using it herself but freeing up both her hands. Only one shield can protect a character at a time. A character with an animated shield still takes any penalties associated with shield use, such as armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, and nonproficiency. Seems pretty clear you need to be proficient to avoid the penalty.
Toxaur 03-02-06, 01:49 PM	ahhhh thank you. I hadn't read up on it in a while.
Seeker95 03-02-06, 03:12 PM	jaelis, thank you very much for not making me look bad when I did a good enough job of it on my own! :tiphat:
rkr1970 03-05-06, 01:54 PM	The way it's written, it's hard to use and even harder to understand for many players, so rather than explain why an animated shield interferes with spell casting while floating around you, I just gave it a 5 round duration each time it's activated. I use the house rule that, unless the shield is actively animated (a standard action that provokes an AoO), then all penalties apply normally. While activated, it provides the normal protection, but no penalties accrue. This stops a lot of whining... ;)