3.5 Buckler on off-hand with TWF - does Light Fortification still work? [Archive] - Wizards Community

3.5 Buckler on off-hand with TWF - does Light Fortification still work? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Harmor
10-05-04, 12:30 AM I have a +1 buckler with Light Fortification (25% chance to negate a critical).

I'm using dual short swords with the TWF feat.

I know the buckler's AC doesn't help me when I'm TWF'ing and I take a -1 with my off-hand attack.

But does the Light Fortification still work when I get hit?
GnomFoo
10-05-04, 12:41 AM not too sure, but if you have improved buckler defense(IIRC) it should work.
Thorak
10-05-04, 07:14 AM Sure, you're still wearing the item. You're just taking an action that denies you the shield's AC bonus.
sparkster4242
10-05-04, 09:33 AM i would say the difference between wearing a buckler and using it as a shield is analgous to the difference between carrying a weapon in your offhand, and wielding it - either you use it and gain the benefits, or you dont, and gain nothing.

that being the case, if you are not using the shield as a defensive item, then its special defensive properties would not apply (unless they are _designed_ to work when the shield isnt being used - offhand i cant think of any).

i dont think ive ever seen an actual rule that addressed the issue.
Krelios
10-05-04, 09:44 AM I agree. If you wouldn't get the abilities of the item when it was just in your backpack, then you wouldn't get it if you couldn't use it that turn because you were attacking.
tarkin
10-05-04, 10:05 AM Not only do I agree, but I have seen the Sage expressely state that it is true in a Dragon Magazine (forgot which one).

Basically, weapons and shields are magic item's whose powers usually activate when wielded.

If you are not wielding them, you don't get their magical ability.

So no AC bonus, no Fortification.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Harmor 10-05-04, 12:30 AM	I have a +1 buckler with Light Fortification (25% chance to negate a critical). I'm using dual short swords with the TWF feat. I know the buckler's AC doesn't help me when I'm TWF'ing and I take a -1 with my off-hand attack. But does the Light Fortification still work when I get hit?
GnomFoo 10-05-04, 12:41 AM	not too sure, but if you have improved buckler defense(IIRC) it should work.
Thorak 10-05-04, 07:14 AM	Sure, you're still wearing the item. You're just taking an action that denies you the shield's AC bonus.
sparkster4242 10-05-04, 09:33 AM	i would say the difference between wearing a buckler and using it as a shield is analgous to the difference between carrying a weapon in your offhand, and wielding it - either you use it and gain the benefits, or you dont, and gain nothing. that being the case, if you are not using the shield as a defensive item, then its special defensive properties would not apply (unless they are _designed_ to work when the shield isnt being used - offhand i cant think of any). i dont think ive ever seen an actual rule that addressed the issue.
Krelios 10-05-04, 09:44 AM	I agree. If you wouldn't get the abilities of the item when it was just in your backpack, then you wouldn't get it if you couldn't use it that turn because you were attacking.
tarkin 10-05-04, 10:05 AM	Not only do I agree, but I have seen the Sage expressely state that it is true in a Dragon Magazine (forgot which one). Basically, weapons and shields are magic item's whose powers usually activate when wielded. If you are not wielding them, you don't get their magical ability. So no AC bonus, no Fortification.