3.5 Do you still get Light Fortification ability from +1 Light Fortification Buckler? [Archive] - Wizards Community

3.5 Do you still get Light Fortification ability from +1 Light Fortification Buckler? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Harmor
10-30-04, 12:06 PM I know I get -1 to attacks with the weapon in my off-hand and I don't get the Shield Bonus (in this case +2 Shield Bonus), but does the Light Fortification shield ability still work when I'm using a weapon in my off-hand and do not have the Improved Buckler Defense feat?
Someone
10-30-04, 12:51 PM Yeah, I'm pretty sure you still do. The simple act of putting the magic buckler on causes the crit-blocking force effects to spring up over your vitals.

It should be enough to lose the AC bonus and suffer the -1 to hit for attacking with your off hand.
Inigo Carmine
10-30-04, 12:59 PM No, because you have to actually be using the shield to gain any of the benefits of it. It doesn't work in that case for the same reason it doesn't work if you just strap the buckler to your belt, or have it bouncing around in your backpack.

From the SRD
Use Activated: This type of item simply has to be used in order to activate it. A character has to drink a potion, swing a sword, interpose a shield to deflect a blow in combat, look through a lens, sprinkle dust, wear a ring, or don a hat.

While hats and rings are good to go simply by wearing them, you don't get the benefit from magical weapons/shields by simply having them out; you must be ready to use them (which, when using an offhand weapon, you are not allowed to). This is the same reason you can't carry a dagger of defending in your offhand (or clenched in your teeth) and gain the benefits of it unless you're actually willing to take the TWF penalties for wielding it.

Note, there is a feat in Complete warrior that allows you to still use your buckler even when attacking with an offhand weapon (doesn't negate the -1 to attack though), which would therefore alow you to retain any nifty abilities said buckler has. I feel its a little powerful because of this (as compared to something like Two Weapon Defense) but I admit I've never seen it in action.
tarkin
10-30-04, 01:42 PM Inigio is correct.

To get the benefit of a shield, you must be wielding the shield as a shield. Merely wearing it on your body, whether it is on your back or your arm does nothing.

To get the benefits of a magic weapon you must be wielding it as a weapon (You are not immune to a flaming's sword fire unless it is in your hand - merely touching the blade does not make you immune to the fire)
GoodTeletubby
10-31-04, 05:54 PM Inigio is correct.

To get the benefit of a shield, you must be wielding the shield as a shield. Merely wearing it on your body, whether it is on your back or your arm does nothing.

To get the benefits of a magic weapon you must be wielding it as a weapon (You are not immune to a flaming's sword fire unless it is in your hand - merely touching the blade does not make you immune to the fire)

O.O so if you're holding a flaming sword but not wielding it you're taking fire damage?
Deep Blue 9000
10-31-04, 09:02 PM The Buckler description says that if you weild a weapon in your off hand, then you don't get the bucklers's AC bonus for the rest off the round. This doesn't necessarily mean you're no longer weilding it as a shield. I mean, you still get the Armor Check penalty, for one.

I would say, yes the fortification ability does work.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Harmor 10-30-04, 12:06 PM	I know I get -1 to attacks with the weapon in my off-hand and I don't get the Shield Bonus (in this case +2 Shield Bonus), but does the Light Fortification shield ability still work when I'm using a weapon in my off-hand and do not have the Improved Buckler Defense feat?
Someone 10-30-04, 12:51 PM	Yeah, I'm pretty sure you still do. The simple act of putting the magic buckler on causes the crit-blocking force effects to spring up over your vitals. It should be enough to lose the AC bonus and suffer the -1 to hit for attacking with your off hand.
Inigo Carmine 10-30-04, 12:59 PM	No, because you have to actually be using the shield to gain any of the benefits of it. It doesn't work in that case for the same reason it doesn't work if you just strap the buckler to your belt, or have it bouncing around in your backpack. From the SRD Use Activated: This type of item simply has to be used in order to activate it. A character has to drink a potion, swing a sword, interpose a shield to deflect a blow in combat, look through a lens, sprinkle dust, wear a ring, or don a hat. While hats and rings are good to go simply by wearing them, you don't get the benefit from magical weapons/shields by simply having them out; you must be ready to use them (which, when using an offhand weapon, you are not allowed to). This is the same reason you can't carry a dagger of defending in your offhand (or clenched in your teeth) and gain the benefits of it unless you're actually willing to take the TWF penalties for wielding it. Note, there is a feat in Complete warrior that allows you to still use your buckler even when attacking with an offhand weapon (doesn't negate the -1 to attack though), which would therefore alow you to retain any nifty abilities said buckler has. I feel its a little powerful because of this (as compared to something like Two Weapon Defense) but I admit I've never seen it in action.
tarkin 10-30-04, 01:42 PM	Inigio is correct. To get the benefit of a shield, you must be wielding the shield as a shield. Merely wearing it on your body, whether it is on your back or your arm does nothing. To get the benefits of a magic weapon you must be wielding it as a weapon (You are not immune to a flaming's sword fire unless it is in your hand - merely touching the blade does not make you immune to the fire)
GoodTeletubby 10-31-04, 05:54 PM	Inigio is correct. To get the benefit of a shield, you must be wielding the shield as a shield. Merely wearing it on your body, whether it is on your back or your arm does nothing. To get the benefits of a magic weapon you must be wielding it as a weapon (You are not immune to a flaming's sword fire unless it is in your hand - merely touching the blade does not make you immune to the fire) O.O so if you're holding a flaming sword but not wielding it you're taking fire damage?
Deep Blue 9000 10-31-04, 09:02 PM	The Buckler description says that if you weild a weapon in your off hand, then you don't get the bucklers's AC bonus for the rest off the round. This doesn't necessarily mean you're no longer weilding it as a shield. I mean, you still get the Armor Check penalty, for one. I would say, yes the fortification ability does work.