Difference between revisions of "Shields Revised (3.5e Variant Rule)"

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== The Functionality of a Shield ==
 
== The Functionality of a Shield ==
  
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A shield is a barrier that you carry with you, to absorb damage. How much damage a shield can absorb depends on three things; the shield's [[#Stability|stability]] rating, its [[#Reduction|reduction]] value, and the amount of time the character has available to renew his guard. A shield in the hand of a [[SRD:Shield Proficiency|proficient]] user blocks incoming attacks, taking less damage from them. However, to be able to block with a shield, the user must be aware of the attacker and be allowed his [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] bonus to AC.  
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A shield is a barrier that you carry with you, to absorb damage. How much damage a shield can absorb depends on how heavy the shield is, what material it is made out of, and the user's [[SRD:Strength|Strength]].
  
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=== {{Anchor|Guard}} ===
  
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=== {{Anchor|Stability}} ===
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A shield confers to its user a [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]]. The user may use his shield to 'block' - that is, put up the guard - against any attack or effect as a [[SRD:Free Action|free action]] usable as many times as he is allowed to make [[SRD:Attacks of Opportunity|attacks of opportunity]] per [[SRD:Round|round]]. As such, dedicated shield users may wish to take [[SRD:Combat Reflexes|Combat Reflexes]] or an equivalent feat.
  
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Stability is the amount of damage a shield can absorb. Smaller shields like bucklers or light shields only take one strong hit to penetrate and only reduce a small portion of incoming damage, yet heavy shields and tower shields can greatly diminish the user's damage taken. Whenever a character using a shield gets hit by a blow, the damage is dealt to the shield's stability. A shield cannot absorb more damage than it has stability remaining. Any damage dealt over the shield's remaining stability is dealt undiminished to the user.  
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To be able to guard with a shield, the user must be aware of the attacker and be allowed his [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] bonus to AC. A [[SRD:Flat-Footed|flat-footed]] defender cannot guard.
  
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Note that stability is relative to the user and not the shield. When the user exchanges shields, the amount of stability damage he has taken is preserved. If he switches to a weaker shield, this stability damage can become negative until replenished. Likewise, any character receiving a used shield from another character starts at full stability.
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When a defender with a shield uses his [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]] against an incoming attack, the damage of that attack is dealt to the guard. If the guard is broken (is reduced to 0 or below), the defender needs to make a [[SRD:Fortitude|Fortitude]] save with a DC equal to 10 + half the enemy's ''proficiency value'' + the enemy's relevant ability score modifier. Here, the ''proficiency value'' is either  [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] for ordinary attacks, [[SRD:Caster Level|caster level]] for [[SRD:Spells|spells]], manifester level for [[SRD:Powers|powers]], initiator level for maneuvers, etc., and the relevant ability score modifier is either [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] in case of physical attacks, or the ability score that determines the power of your spellcasting, manifesting or other form of ability that was being used to break the guard.
  
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==== Stability Rating ====
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The defender can protect himself from more damage if he has a high [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] score, as per the Reduction column on [[#Table: Shields|Table: Shields]] below.
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Each shield has a ''stability rating''. The stability rating determines the base amount of stability a shield has. A shield's stability equals its stability rating times the user's [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]].
 
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To wield a shield effectively against powerful attacks, a character also needs [[SRD:Strength|Strength]]. Any damage dealt to a shield's stability gets reduced by an amount up to its wielder's [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] bonus.
 
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''Example:'' A shield with a stability rating of 5 used by a level 5 [[SRD:Fighter|fighter]] with a [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] of 18 has a stability of 25 in that fighter's hand. If that fighter blocks a successful attack against him that deals 20 damage, his [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] bonus of +4 reduces the damage to his shield's stability to 16.
 
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==== Recovering Stability ====
 
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A shield passively recovers stability at a rate of the wielder's [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]] bonus per round. Furthermore, he may regain additional stability by 'resting', expending certain actions to do nothing. A [[SRD:Move Action|move]] recovers an amount of [[#Stability|stability]] equal to the wielder's [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]], and a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]] recovers an amount of stability equal to twice the wielder's BAB. A [[SRD:Full-Round Actions|full-round action]] combines the former two, recovering three times the user's BAB. Stability regained over the shield's maximum is lost. Using the Total Defense action counts as using a [[SRD:Full-Round Actions|full-round action]] to recover stability.
 
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=== {{Anchor|Reduction}} ===
 
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Shields reduce incoming damage by a certain percentage. Heavier shields generally reduce more damage than lighter ones.
 
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A shield has reduction values for specific types of damage. Mundane shields usually only have physical reduction.
 
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*''Physical Reduction:'' The percentage of [[SRD:Bludgeoning Weapon|bludgeoning]], [[SRD:Piercing Weapon|piercing]] and [[SRD:Slashing Weapon|slashing]] damage that is reduced.
 
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*''Magic Reduction:'' The percentage of damage from non-elemental [[SRD:Spells|spells]] and [[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|spell-like]] effects that is reduced.
 
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*''Elemental Reduction:'' The percentage of energy damage ([[SRD:Acid Effect|acid]], [[SRD:Cold Effect|cold]], [[SRD:Electricity Effect|electricity]] and [[SRD:Fire Effect|fire]], each taken individually) that is reduced. [[SRD:Sonic Effect|Sonic]] damage is not reduced by shields, as it is generally unaffected by physical barriers.
 
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''Example:'' The shield of the fighter mentioned above reduces physical damage by 50%. He takes 10 points of damage from the total 20.
 
  
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Particularly powerful shields wielded by a highly proficient melee fighter may make their guard nigh invincible, but using guard all the time will wear down your gear. Any damage that is reduced by the guard is dealt to the shield itself (and is reduced by the shield's [[SRD:Hardness|hardness]]). Once the shield's hit points are reduced to 0, it no longer grants its shield bonus to AC and cannot be used to guard anymore until it is repaired.
  
 
== Revised Shield Statistics ==
 
== Revised Shield Statistics ==
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|+ {{Anchor|Table: Shields}}
 
|+ {{Anchor|Table: Shields}}
 
|-
 
|-
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! align="left" rowspan="2" | Shield  
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! align="left" rowspan="2" | Shield Type
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! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Armor Qualities#Cost|Cost]]<sup>4</sup>
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! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Shield Bonus|Shield Bonus]]
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! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Armor Qualities#Armor/Shield Bonus|Armor/]]<br/>[[SRD:Shield Bonus|Shield Bonus]]<sup>1</sup>
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! colspan="4" | [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|Guard]]
−
! rowspan="2" | [[#Stability|Stability]] Rating
+
! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Hit Points|Hit Points]]<sup>2</sup>
−
! colspan="6" | [[#Reduction|Reduction]] Percentage<sup>2</sup> (%)
+
! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Hit Points|Hardness]]<sup>2</sup>
−
! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Armor Qualities#Maximum Dex Bonus|Maximum]]<br/>[[SRD:Armor Qualities#Maximum Dex Bonus|Dex Bonus]]
 
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! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Armor Qualities#Armor Check Penalty|Armor Check]]<br/>[[SRD:Armor Qualities#Armor Check Penalty|Penalty]]
 
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! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Armor Qualities#Arcane Spell Failure|Arcane Spell]]<br/>[[SRD:Armor Qualities#Arcane Spell Failure|Failure Chance]]
 
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! rowspan="2" | [[SRD:Armor Qualities#Weight|Weight]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
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! P !! M !! [[SRD:Acid Effect|A]] !! [[SRD:Cold Effect|C]] !! [[SRD:Electricity Effect|E]] !! [[SRD:Fire Effect|F]]
+
! Type !! Guards Against !! Value !! Reduction<sup>1</sup>
 
|-
 
|-
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Buckler|Buckler]] || 25 gp || +0 || 3 || 20 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || –1 || 5% || 5 lb.
+
| align="left" | [[SRD:Buckler|Buckler]] || +1 || Targeted || Physical || 0 || ½&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 5 (+5) || 10 (+2)
 +
|-
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Light Shield|Light wooden shield]] || +1 || Targeted || Physical, [[SRD:Electricity Effect|Electricity]] || 0 + ½ [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || ½&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 7 (+10) || 5 (+2)
 
|-  
 
|-  
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Light Shield|Shield, light wooden]] || 20 gp || +1 || 4|| 30 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 20 || 0 || — || –1 || 5% || 5 lb.
+
| align="left" | [[SRD:Light Shield|Light steel shield]] || +1 || Targeted || Physical, [[SRD:Fire Effect|Fire]] || 0 + ½ [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || ½&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 10 (+10) || 10 (+2)
−
|-
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|-
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Light Shield|Shield, light steel]] || 30 gp || +1 || 4 || 30 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 20 || — || –1 || 5% || 6 lb.
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Heavy Shield|Heavy wooden shield]] || +2 || Targeted || Physical, [[SRD:Electricity Effect|Electricity]] || 5 + ½ [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || ½&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 15 (+10) || 5 (+2)
 +
|-  
 +
| align="left" | [[SRD:Heavy Shield|Heavy steel shield]] || +2 || Targeted || Physical, [[SRD:Fire Effect|Fire]] || 5 + ½ [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || ½&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 20 (+10) || 10 (+2)
 +
|-
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| align="left" | [[Greatshield (3.5e Equipment)|Greatshield, wooden]] || +3 || Total || Physical, [[SRD:Electricity Effect|Electricity]] || 10 + ½ [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || 1&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 25 (+15) || 5 (+2)
 
|-  
 
|-  
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Heavy Shield|Shield, heavy wooden]] || 40 gp || +2 || 5|| 50 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 30 || 0 || — || –2 || 15% || 10 lb.
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| align="left" | [[Greatshield (3.5e Equipment)|Greatshield, steel]] || +3 || Total || Physical, [[SRD:Fire Effect|Fire]] || 10 + ½ [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || 1&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 30 (+15) || 10 (+2)
−
|-
 
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Heavy Shield|Shield, heavy steel]] || 60 gp || +2 || 5 || 50 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 30 || — || –2 || 15% || 15 lb.
 
 
|-  
 
|-  
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Tower Shield|Shield, tower]] || 200 gp || +4 || 10 || 100 || 0 || 50 || 50 || 50 || 50 || +2 || –10 || 50% || 45 lb.
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| align="left" | [[SRD:Tower Shield|Shield, tower]] || +4 || Total || Physical, [[SRD:Fire Effect|Fire]], [[SRD:Electricity Effect|Electricity]] || 10 + [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|BAB]] || 1&times;[[SRD:Strength|Str]] || 40 (+20) || 10 (+2)
 
|-
 
|-
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| class="foot" colspan="14" |
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| class="foot" colspan="8" |
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# Applies to AC and touch AC, but only against ranged attacks.
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# Damage to the guard is reduced by this amount.
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# In order: '''P'''hysical, '''M'''agical, '''A'''cid, '''C'''old, '''E'''lectricity, '''F'''ire.
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# Increases per point of magical enhancement bonus are in parentheses.
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# Hand not free to cast spells.  
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
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=== [[SRD:Masterwork|Masterwork]] Shields ===
 
=== [[SRD:Masterwork|Masterwork]] Shields ===
  
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A [[SRD:Masterwork|masterwork]] shield increases the effective [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] of its user by 1 point for the purpose of total [[#Stability|stability]] and its recovery.
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A [[SRD:Masterwork|masterwork]] shield increases the effective [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] of its user by 2 only for the purpose of reducing [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]] damage (see the Guard Reduction column in the above [[#Table: Shields|table]]). It also has +5 extra hit points and +2 hardness.
  
 
A masterwork element for a shield adds 300 gp to the price.
 
A masterwork element for a shield adds 300 gp to the price.
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=== [[SRD:Magic Armor|Magic]] Shields ===
 
=== [[SRD:Magic Armor|Magic]] Shields ===
  
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A magic shield increases the effective [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] of its user by 1 point per point of base [[SRD:Enhancement Bonus|enhancement bonus]] for the purpose of total [[#Stability|stability]] and its recovery. This overwrites the bonus from [[SRD:Masterwork|masterwork]]. Furthermore, each point of enhancement bonus increases the shield's Magic [[#Reduction|reduction]] by 10%, and its [[SRD:Shield Bonus|shield]] bonus to AC against ranged attacks by 1.
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A magic shield increases the effective [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] for the purpose of determining [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]] strength and the effective [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] score for the purpose of reducing [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]] damage by +2 per point of [[SRD:Enhancement Bonus|enhancement bonus]]. This overwrites the bonus from [[SRD:Masterwork|masterwork]].
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== Notes ==
 
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This variant rule should be mechanically functional, but is still subject to change. Please direct any questions and suggestions to the Talk page.
 
  
  

Latest revision as of 15:41, 19 June 2018

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Author: Sulacu (talk)
Date Created: May 4, 2015
Status: Penguin
Editing: Clarity edits only please
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Shields Revised[edit]

Shields are kind of a main staple of the whole medieval fantasy warrior thing that a lot of D&D campaigns are built around. That said, the way shields are implemented in core D&D, their functionality is more like a second source of armor. This leaves some things to be desired.

This transformational variant rule intends to fix some of these things, making shields more than simply an additional source of AC. Plus, with many variant rules in existence that smoothes over character progression (such as Scaling Benefits), I don't feel this game benefits much from shields as just another numerical bonus to your defenses.


The Functionality of a Shield[edit]

A shield is a barrier that you carry with you, to absorb damage. How much damage a shield can absorb depends on how heavy the shield is, what material it is made out of, and the user's Strength.

Guard[edit]

A shield confers to its user a guard. The user may use his shield to 'block' - that is, put up the guard - against any attack or effect as a free action usable as many times as he is allowed to make attacks of opportunity per round. As such, dedicated shield users may wish to take Combat Reflexes or an equivalent feat.

To be able to guard with a shield, the user must be aware of the attacker and be allowed his Dexterity bonus to AC. A flat-footed defender cannot guard.

When a defender with a shield uses his guard against an incoming attack, the damage of that attack is dealt to the guard. If the guard is broken (is reduced to 0 or below), the defender needs to make a Fortitude save with a DC equal to 10 + half the enemy's proficiency value + the enemy's relevant ability score modifier. Here, the proficiency value is either base attack bonus for ordinary attacks, caster level for spells, manifester level for powers, initiator level for maneuvers, etc., and the relevant ability score modifier is either Strength in case of physical attacks, or the ability score that determines the power of your spellcasting, manifesting or other form of ability that was being used to break the guard.

The defender can protect himself from more damage if he has a high Strength score, as per the Reduction column on Table: Shields below.

Particularly powerful shields wielded by a highly proficient melee fighter may make their guard nigh invincible, but using guard all the time will wear down your gear. Any damage that is reduced by the guard is dealt to the shield itself (and is reduced by the shield's hardness). Once the shield's hit points are reduced to 0, it no longer grants its shield bonus to AC and cannot be used to guard anymore until it is repaired.

Revised Shield Statistics[edit]

Table: Shields
Shield Type Shield Bonus Guard Hit Points2 Hardness2
Type Guards Against Value Reduction1
Buckler +1 Targeted Physical 0 ½×Str 5 (+5) 10 (+2)
Light wooden shield +1 Targeted Physical, Electricity 0 + ½ BAB ½×Str 7 (+10) 5 (+2)
Light steel shield +1 Targeted Physical, Fire 0 + ½ BAB ½×Str 10 (+10) 10 (+2)
Heavy wooden shield +2 Targeted Physical, Electricity 5 + ½ BAB ½×Str 15 (+10) 5 (+2)
Heavy steel shield +2 Targeted Physical, Fire 5 + ½ BAB ½×Str 20 (+10) 10 (+2)
Greatshield, wooden +3 Total Physical, Electricity 10 + ½ BAB 1×Str 25 (+15) 5 (+2)
Greatshield, steel +3 Total Physical, Fire 10 + ½ BAB 1×Str 30 (+15) 10 (+2)
Shield, tower +4 Total Physical, Fire, Electricity 10 + BAB 1×Str 40 (+20) 10 (+2)
  1. Damage to the guard is reduced by this amount.
  2. Increases per point of magical enhancement bonus are in parentheses.


Masterwork Shields[edit]

A masterwork shield increases the effective Strength of its user by 2 only for the purpose of reducing guard damage (see the Guard Reduction column in the above table). It also has +5 extra hit points and +2 hardness.

A masterwork element for a shield adds 300 gp to the price.

Magic Shields[edit]

A magic shield increases the effective base attack bonus for the purpose of determining guard strength and the effective Strength score for the purpose of reducing guard damage by +2 per point of enhancement bonus. This overwrites the bonus from masterwork.


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AuthorSulacu +
Identifier3.5e Variant Rule +
RatingUnrated +
SummaryAlters the functionality of shields so they actually act like shields. +
TitleShields Revised +