Buckler and Crossbow, do I get the AC Bonus [Archive] - Wizards Community

Buckler and Crossbow, do I get the AC Bonus [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
zerovoid
03-09-05, 12:47 AM When using a buckler in one hand, and a crossbow (or bow) in the other hand, does the buckler still provide its AC bonus in a round that you shoot?

From the SRD:
Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

I am confused by this text, since a crossbow or bow takes two hands to use, but might not count as using a weapon in the off hand like it says above.
Colmarr
03-09-05, 01:08 AM Based on the use of the term "In any case", I would say that the last sentence covers all of the preceding sentences, not just the ones beginning "You can also".

Hence, you lose the shield bonus. (Note that Improved Buckler Defense helps out here).
Lorianne
03-09-05, 06:58 AM As long as you're using the hand for anything but defending, you keep it... You could use a hand crossbow and keep the bonus though.
Clawhound
03-09-05, 10:33 AM I agree. You are either using two hands and get no buckler bonus, or using one hand and getting the buckler bonus. You CAN fire a crossbow one handed but at a penalty. Is that -4?
tarkin
03-09-05, 12:28 PM Bows and crossbows get no penalty to hit when you use the Buckler, but you still do not get any bonus from the buckler, unless you have the feat Improved Buckler Defense.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
zerovoid 03-09-05, 12:47 AM	When using a buckler in one hand, and a crossbow (or bow) in the other hand, does the buckler still provide its AC bonus in a round that you shoot? From the SRD: Buckler: This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a –1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round. I am confused by this text, since a crossbow or bow takes two hands to use, but might not count as using a weapon in the off hand like it says above.
Colmarr 03-09-05, 01:08 AM	Based on the use of the term "In any case", I would say that the last sentence covers all of the preceding sentences, not just the ones beginning "You can also". Hence, you lose the shield bonus. (Note that Improved Buckler Defense helps out here).
Lorianne 03-09-05, 06:58 AM	As long as you're using the hand for anything but defending, you keep it... You could use a hand crossbow and keep the bonus though.
Clawhound 03-09-05, 10:33 AM	I agree. You are either using two hands and get no buckler bonus, or using one hand and getting the buckler bonus. You CAN fire a crossbow one handed but at a penalty. Is that -4?
tarkin 03-09-05, 12:28 PM	Bows and crossbows get no penalty to hit when you use the Buckler, but you still do not get any bonus from the buckler, unless you have the feat Improved Buckler Defense.