Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 shintashi Sep 11, 2015 16:22:20	Someone in our group brought up the idea of dual wielding shields, and using big tower shields for shield bash. I always thought a buckler should do no where near what a spartan shield or tower shield should do. So how much damage do tower shields do? Do they cost more than other shields?   Do you get the AC bonus twice if you aren't attacking with them?   do you need Dual wielding to get the double AC bonus?   It's silly, but it kind of makes sense. I imagine your character would probably look like a go-Bot knock off of transformers, but why not, right?
#2 Greenstone.Walker Sep 11, 2015 19:37:46	In my game, I give players bonuses to unarmed damage depending on what they are wearing. Someone in heavy armour does 1d3 damage with an unarmed attack (to model headbutting with a helm or elbow striking with a pauldron). Same for a shield bash - 1d3 + STR. I don't consider a "shield bash" to be a distinct thing in the rules; its is covered by the rules for "unarmed attack". In other words, an unarmed attack is hitting a foe with something other than a weapon, whether that something is a fist or an elbow or a foot or a shield is solely descriptive. Additionally, the shield still provides the +2 AC if you use it to hit someone.   An unarmed attack requires the Attack Action, not a Bonus Action.   A shield is not a weapon, so fighting styles generally don't apply. Two-weapon fighting certainly doesn't apply.   Dual-wielding shields does not double the AC bonus. That's just cheesy.
#3 transcendantviewer Sep 11, 2015 23:34:26	That would come down to your DM. I personally can see the arguments on both sides. Greenstone.Walker is correct in that dual-wielding shields is cheesy, but also would make sense considering how actual fighting works. I'd rule that you'd have to take some sort of custom Combat Style or feat to benefit from wielding two shields, but it'd be doable. Silly, yes, but valid. I'd rule that without that feat or Combat Style, you'd take the bonus to AC granted from the second shield as a constant penalty to attack rolls, ability checks, and Dexterity Saving Throws, since it's just so unwieldly. Also, without training in Unarmed Strikes And Improvised Weapons, you'll only be dealing 1d4 on the Shield Bash. With both, it'd still only be 1d4, but you'd also get a Bonus Action Extra Attack. So, basically, Tavern Brawler with an added bonus for specialization. But this is all houserule. If you're looking for strict answers, as written, you can't use two shields and benefit from both of them. Also, using a shield as an improvised weapon could arguably remove its AC bonus for that turn, since it's now a weapon and not a shield. The rules are intentionally muddy for the specific purpose of giving Adjudicative powers back to DMs.
#4 JackOfAllTirades Sep 11, 2015 23:34:56	PHB p144. You can benefit from only one shield at a time.