Buckler and Two-Handed Weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

Buckler and Two-Handed Weapons [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
deep_grave
03-12-06, 12:50 PM I am playing a barbarian for the first time, and since I am going to be my party's only fighter, I am going to use a greatsword. However, I also want some AC help, so I wanted to get a shield. Can I use a two handed weapon if I'm using a buckler in my offhand? What happens as far as attack roll penalties and AC? Thanks for your help...
Crash01234567890
03-12-06, 01:03 PM Well there is a bit of an arguement on this issue.
You can use a two-handed weapon while using a buckler, but you take a -1 penalty to hit.

The big arguement comes up with the part in the buckler description that says. "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,"(PHB pg. 124 Buckler).
This seems pretty simple, and most would interpret it as meaning a two-handed weapon would loose the AC bonus also since the weapon is in the off-hand and primary hand, it doesn't say if you wield an off-hand weapon, but instead it says if you use a weapon in your off-hand.

Now there is a feat called Improved Buckler Defense in the complete Warrior on Pg.100 that says. "When you attack with a weapon in your off-hand, you may still apply your buckler's shield bonus to your Armor Class." It uses the same terms, but many people claim that it doesn't work with two handed weapons. The problem here is consistency.

Either
A.) The buckler never looses it's bonus when used in with a two-handed weapon.
B.) The two-handed weapon is in fact in the off-hand, and therefore the bonus is lost, but Imp. Buckler Defense can be taken to offset this.

The easiest thing to do is present this arguement to your DM and ask which way he wants to rule it.
Vahenir
03-12-06, 02:37 PM I'm in the bucklers provide no bonus while using a two-hand weapon, but they do if you have Improved Buckler Defense camp.
ClementWillowbreaker
03-12-06, 04:52 PM That's a very good camp. And for everyone crying about THFing getting "teh cr4zy m4|) AC", don't forget Improved Buckler Defense helps out archers proportionally more, since they usually have lower AC with which to start.
Crash01234567890
03-12-06, 08:13 PM Archers are the main reason I'm in the same camp.
It seems too overpowered to give it to 2HFs for free, but archers deserve a little love.
pres_man
03-12-06, 10:14 PM You don't find it too powerful for achers since they don't take the -1 penalty when attacking.
Crash01234567890
03-13-06, 01:09 AM Why would they be overpowered? Give me one reason.

They do less damage on average and have to spend amazing amount of feats to be truly effective.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
deep_grave 03-12-06, 12:50 PM	I am playing a barbarian for the first time, and since I am going to be my party's only fighter, I am going to use a greatsword. However, I also want some AC help, so I wanted to get a shield. Can I use a two handed weapon if I'm using a buckler in my offhand? What happens as far as attack roll penalties and AC? Thanks for your help...
Crash01234567890 03-12-06, 01:03 PM	Well there is a bit of an arguement on this issue. You can use a two-handed weapon while using a buckler, but you take a -1 penalty to hit. The big arguement comes up with the part in the buckler description that says. "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,"(PHB pg. 124 Buckler). This seems pretty simple, and most would interpret it as meaning a two-handed weapon would loose the AC bonus also since the weapon is in the off-hand and primary hand, it doesn't say if you wield an off-hand weapon, but instead it says if you use a weapon in your off-hand. Now there is a feat called Improved Buckler Defense in the complete Warrior on Pg.100 that says. "When you attack with a weapon in your off-hand, you may still apply your buckler's shield bonus to your Armor Class." It uses the same terms, but many people claim that it doesn't work with two handed weapons. The problem here is consistency. Either A.) The buckler never looses it's bonus when used in with a two-handed weapon. B.) The two-handed weapon is in fact in the off-hand, and therefore the bonus is lost, but Imp. Buckler Defense can be taken to offset this. The easiest thing to do is present this arguement to your DM and ask which way he wants to rule it.
Vahenir 03-12-06, 02:37 PM	I'm in the bucklers provide no bonus while using a two-hand weapon, but they do if you have Improved Buckler Defense camp.
ClementWillowbreaker 03-12-06, 04:52 PM	That's a very good camp. And for everyone crying about THFing getting "teh cr4zy m4\|) AC", don't forget Improved Buckler Defense helps out archers proportionally more, since they usually have lower AC with which to start.
Crash01234567890 03-12-06, 08:13 PM	Archers are the main reason I'm in the same camp. It seems too overpowered to give it to 2HFs for free, but archers deserve a little love.
pres_man 03-12-06, 10:14 PM	You don't find it too powerful for achers since they don't take the -1 penalty when attacking.
Crash01234567890 03-13-06, 01:09 AM	Why would they be overpowered? Give me one reason. They do less damage on average and have to spend amazing amount of feats to be truly effective.