Two Weapon Defense Series & Ring of Force Shield [Archive] - Wizards Community

Two Weapon Defense Series & Ring of Force Shield [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dimitris6816
08-10-07, 10:57 AM I play a character who prefers the two weapon fighting style, using a double sword. My feat selection includes the two weapon fighting skills & the two weapon defense feats.
My question is does the shield bonus granted by the two weapon defense feats stack with the (force) shield bonus granted by the ring of force shield?

In the lastest FAQ (July 13th) the sage stated that although the DMG is not clear about it, the ring of force shield requires a free hand in order to use the force shield. My DM disagrees with the sage's opinion, stating that the charcaters control over the ring is mental. I am stating this, so as not to answer my that I cant use this ring while carrying an off-hand weapon.

Thanks
Unholy_King
08-10-07, 11:20 AM Shield bonuses do not stack.
Duelpersonality
08-10-07, 11:28 AM If I understand the rules correctly, the two bonuses would not stack as they are both listed as "shield bonus to AC." In the case of two bonuses with the same name, the higher bonus is always applied.

This also makes sense from a logical point of view. How can a person effectively use a weapon for defense when there's a shield in the way?
jaelis
08-10-07, 11:34 AM The bonuses don't stack since they are both shield bonuses.

Another question is whether you can benefit from the ring while TWFing at all. Given the Sage ruling, the intent would seem to be yes, but that you couldn't use your off-hand blade for AoOs.
tarkin
08-10-07, 11:46 AM You should be happy with your blatant house ruling your DM is doing.

Actually, it looks to me that he simply did not even read the description.

The Force ring clearly says:

" can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield"

It does not merely say "it has the same benefit of a heavy shield", instead it says it can be wielded like one.

"Wielded like one" means no, it is not mental. It is wielded, which means it has the exact same penalties as well as the benefits.

The House Rule your DM is doing has rather dramatic consequences, making the Ring of Force Shield far more powerfull

Among other things, this allows the ring to be used as part of a Two handed weapon build, pretty much negating the last reason to take sword and board fighting style.

So forget about the two handed build, you want the Two weapon build - that is what your Power Gamer DM has house ruled into existence as the best build
ZiggZagg
08-10-07, 11:57 AM Thank you Tarkin, for once again opening up your view with unneeded or warranted hostility
tarkin
08-10-07, 01:31 PM Thank you for your offtopic blatant insults towards me. I just know you meant them with love in your heart.

But try to talk about the topic, instead of derailing it for your own purposes.

P.S. I also suggest you do some research on how cold nature of the internet often makes people mistake honest fair disagreement with you for instead hostility. This creates what is called a flame war. Studies routinely show this is usually caused by people MISINTERPRATING the origianl comments, not real hostilitiy.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dimitris6816 08-10-07, 10:57 AM	I play a character who prefers the two weapon fighting style, using a double sword. My feat selection includes the two weapon fighting skills & the two weapon defense feats. My question is does the shield bonus granted by the two weapon defense feats stack with the (force) shield bonus granted by the ring of force shield? In the lastest FAQ (July 13th) the sage stated that although the DMG is not clear about it, the ring of force shield requires a free hand in order to use the force shield. My DM disagrees with the sage's opinion, stating that the charcaters control over the ring is mental. I am stating this, so as not to answer my that I cant use this ring while carrying an off-hand weapon. Thanks
Unholy_King 08-10-07, 11:20 AM	Shield bonuses do not stack.
Duelpersonality 08-10-07, 11:28 AM	If I understand the rules correctly, the two bonuses would not stack as they are both listed as "shield bonus to AC." In the case of two bonuses with the same name, the higher bonus is always applied. This also makes sense from a logical point of view. How can a person effectively use a weapon for defense when there's a shield in the way?
jaelis 08-10-07, 11:34 AM	The bonuses don't stack since they are both shield bonuses. Another question is whether you can benefit from the ring while TWFing at all. Given the Sage ruling, the intent would seem to be yes, but that you couldn't use your off-hand blade for AoOs.
tarkin 08-10-07, 11:46 AM	You should be happy with your blatant house ruling your DM is doing. Actually, it looks to me that he simply did not even read the description. The Force ring clearly says: " can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield" It does not merely say "it has the same benefit of a heavy shield", instead it says it can be wielded like one. "Wielded like one" means no, it is not mental. It is wielded, which means it has the exact same penalties as well as the benefits. The House Rule your DM is doing has rather dramatic consequences, making the Ring of Force Shield far more powerfull Among other things, this allows the ring to be used as part of a Two handed weapon build, pretty much negating the last reason to take sword and board fighting style. So forget about the two handed build, you want the Two weapon build - that is what your Power Gamer DM has house ruled into existence as the best build
ZiggZagg 08-10-07, 11:57 AM	Thank you Tarkin, for once again opening up your view with unneeded or warranted hostility
tarkin 08-10-07, 01:31 PM	Thank you for your offtopic blatant insults towards me. I just know you meant them with love in your heart. But try to talk about the topic, instead of derailing it for your own purposes. P.S. I also suggest you do some research on how cold nature of the internet often makes people mistake honest fair disagreement with you for instead hostility. This creates what is called a flame war. Studies routinely show this is usually caused by people MISINTERPRATING the origianl comments, not real hostilitiy.