Benefit of small shield over a buckler [Archive] - Wizards Community

Benefit of small shield over a buckler [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shifgrethor
03-05-06, 10:12 AM Can anybody clear up if for any other reason than shield bash....a small shield would be better than a buckler?

I always picture blucklers as like a soccer shin pad for your arm. I know they picture them in the book as being ? the same as a small shield, but slightly smaller...

currently I have a 1fighter, 8th cleric with no shield bash ability, I'm a dwarf, and use a dwarven waraxe as a weapon....I chose a small shield over a large one, so that I can cast, but if in some case I would like to 2 hand my axe, I can't do it with a small shield, but can with a buckler, so I was hoping if there is something I'm missing, someone can point it out.

Thanks.
Shaggy_Shaggs
03-05-06, 10:35 AM The fact that a wooden small shield goes for only 20% of the price of a buckler is pretty advantageous for low-level characters, and people outfitting entire armies on a budget.
malignor
03-05-06, 10:43 AM Since a small shield can be used for attacking (and be spiked) it can also be enchanted as a weapon. Nothing like a floating shield +5/+5 of defending, I tell ya. +11 to AC and with both hands free.
draconic_swine
03-05-06, 12:28 PM A light steel shield also has double the hit points of a buckler, so if sundering is a concern, you'd want to go for the light steel shield.
supernerd8916
03-05-06, 01:07 PM if you dont have the coins for a magic weapon, remember that you can use a weapon in your buckler hand at a -1 penalty to attack, or a bow with no penalty, and with a small shield you cant, even with a penalty.
Awesomeforged
03-05-06, 08:03 PM woah woah woah, floating shield? In which book do I find this???
DaMullet
03-05-06, 08:22 PM In the DMG, under magic armor enhancement (near the back).

It's some special ability that can only be applied to shields.
Awesomeforged
03-05-06, 08:34 PM thank you :D
TheUnknownZombie
03-05-06, 09:48 PM Since a small shield can be used for attacking (and be spiked) it can also be enchanted as a weapon. Nothing like a floating shield +5/+5 of defending, I tell ya. +11 to AC and with both hands free.
Yeah, but you'd have to wield the shield (ie use it as a weapon) to gain the +5 from defending.

Animated shields are a personal favourite of mine though.
Awesomeforged
03-05-06, 09:58 PM okay sorry. I can't find it :(

Page number?
draconic_swine
03-05-06, 11:39 PM The enhancement is called animated, and it will be in Chapter 7, in the armour & shield enhancements section. I don't have my DMG on me right now, so I can't post the exact page. You can also find its text here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicArmor.htm#animated)/

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shifgrethor 03-05-06, 10:12 AM	Can anybody clear up if for any other reason than shield bash....a small shield would be better than a buckler? I always picture blucklers as like a soccer shin pad for your arm. I know they picture them in the book as being ? the same as a small shield, but slightly smaller... currently I have a 1fighter, 8th cleric with no shield bash ability, I'm a dwarf, and use a dwarven waraxe as a weapon....I chose a small shield over a large one, so that I can cast, but if in some case I would like to 2 hand my axe, I can't do it with a small shield, but can with a buckler, so I was hoping if there is something I'm missing, someone can point it out. Thanks.
Shaggy_Shaggs 03-05-06, 10:35 AM	The fact that a wooden small shield goes for only 20% of the price of a buckler is pretty advantageous for low-level characters, and people outfitting entire armies on a budget.
malignor 03-05-06, 10:43 AM	Since a small shield can be used for attacking (and be spiked) it can also be enchanted as a weapon. Nothing like a floating shield +5/+5 of defending, I tell ya. +11 to AC and with both hands free.
draconic_swine 03-05-06, 12:28 PM	A light steel shield also has double the hit points of a buckler, so if sundering is a concern, you'd want to go for the light steel shield.
supernerd8916 03-05-06, 01:07 PM	if you dont have the coins for a magic weapon, remember that you can use a weapon in your buckler hand at a -1 penalty to attack, or a bow with no penalty, and with a small shield you cant, even with a penalty.
Awesomeforged 03-05-06, 08:03 PM	woah woah woah, floating shield? In which book do I find this???
DaMullet 03-05-06, 08:22 PM	In the DMG, under magic armor enhancement (near the back). It's some special ability that can only be applied to shields.
Awesomeforged 03-05-06, 08:34 PM	thank you :D
TheUnknownZombie 03-05-06, 09:48 PM	Since a small shield can be used for attacking (and be spiked) it can also be enchanted as a weapon. Nothing like a floating shield +5/+5 of defending, I tell ya. +11 to AC and with both hands free. Yeah, but you'd have to wield the shield (ie use it as a weapon) to gain the +5 from defending. Animated shields are a personal favourite of mine though.
Awesomeforged 03-05-06, 09:58 PM	okay sorry. I can't find it :( Page number?
draconic_swine 03-05-06, 11:39 PM	The enhancement is called animated, and it will be in Chapter 7, in the armour & shield enhancements section. I don't have my DMG on me right now, so I can't post the exact page. You can also find its text here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/magicArmor.htm#animated)/