So, I am rolling my Barbarian with the Unarmored feature, and while I know that I can use a shield without penalty, I am wondering about thoughts about wearing a Pauldron instead. Realizing of course that I would have to convince my DM 1) that this is for flavor for my Barbie and 2) I would likely be unable to use the Pauldron with two-handed attacks.
While realistically the pauldron does not take a hand to hold, I think that it would be a bit 'cheap' to have the AC +2 with the Pauldron and still use the two-handed attacks.
I wanted to put this thread out there to get some input and see what others thought about this flavor. When I do searches for Barbie images, many have a Pauldron which is not a full set of armor.
Thanks for any and all insight - this is my first Barbarian character.
The DM may not allow for the Pauldron to boost AC with unarmored defense, since it technically is armor. I wouldn't allow it for my games and wouldn't allow it to work with Bracers of Defense. Having it there as clothing wouldn't be an issue in either case, since it would only be flavor.
The DM may not allow for the Pauldron to boost AC with unarmored defense, since it technically is armor. I wouldn't allow it for my games and wouldn't allow it to work with Bracers of Defense. Having it there as clothing wouldn't be an issue in either case, since it would only be flavor.
If for nothing else, I think that the look of a Pauldron on my unarmored Barbarian would look cool - no AC boost is okay, just needed input. Thank you
What you’re describing is effectively a reskinning of Studded Leather into a Pauldron. That’s armor.
Not really, if he is using leather armor reskinned, he's not using unarmored defense. As long as you're not gaining a mechanical advantage, I'd say it's fine to skin a shield as a pauldron. You'd just have to remember that you don't have an open hand to grab things with (although with shield master, I'd let you "punch" things prone). It's fluff and flavor, it doesn't change anything important other than your image of your character.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
What you’re describing is effectively a reskinning of Studded Leather into a Pauldron. That’s armor.
Not really, if he is using leather armor reskinned, he's not using unarmored defense. As long as you're not gaining a mechanical advantage, I'd say it's fine to skin a shield as a pauldron. You'd just have to remember that you don't have an open hand to grab things with (although with shield master, I'd let you "punch" things prone). It's fluff and flavor, it doesn't change anything important other than your image of your character.
They seemed to be describing a +2 AC and a free hand because it’s strapped to their shoulder and not held. That’s the same benefit as wearing Studded Leather, which should preclude Unarmored Defense.
Now, if it still must be “held” and thereby prevents wielding a two-handed weapon, then yes, it would just be a reskinned Shield.
he said in his original post, he said that he wouldn't be able to hold a great weapon, so that indicated to me that he's aware that he's losing his free hand. Re-skinning just about anything is cool, provided you don't change the mechanics unduly. if he wants a free hand for things, then it has to be studded leather. If he wants to use unarmored defense, he gets no free hand.
If his vision includes his pauldron with unarmored defense AND a two handed sword...sure. You can flavor using your longsword with two hands, just as long as you're rolling a d8 when it comes to damage time I couldn't care less.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
he said in his original post, he said that he wouldn't be able to hold a great weapon, so that indicated to me that he's aware that he's losing his free hand. Re-skinning just about anything is cool, provided you don't change the mechanics unduly. if he wants a free hand for things, then it has to be studded leather. If he wants to use unarmored defense, he gets no free hand.
If his vision includes his pauldron with unarmored defense AND a two handed sword...sure. You can flavor using your longsword with two hands, just as long as you're rolling a d8 when it comes to damage time I couldn't care less.
Yeah, the goal is to wear a pauldron instead of holding a shield. Use of one-handed weapons only, and I love the idea of using the pauldron as a shield master. This
Like I was thinking, I want the Pauldron for the +2 AC for my Barbarian, but I know that a shield take sup a hand. I would like to go from Greataxe down to Battleaxe for the two-handed down to one-handed game-play.
It was an opinion pole, and getting the feedback has been helpful - now I just have to convince my DM of my intentions.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hello, Barbs and Barbs friends,
So, I am rolling my Barbarian with the Unarmored feature, and while I know that I can use a shield without penalty, I am wondering about thoughts about wearing a Pauldron instead. Realizing of course that I would have to convince my DM 1) that this is for flavor for my Barbie and 2) I would likely be unable to use the Pauldron with two-handed attacks.
While realistically the pauldron does not take a hand to hold, I think that it would be a bit 'cheap' to have the AC +2 with the Pauldron and still use the two-handed attacks.
I wanted to put this thread out there to get some input and see what others thought about this flavor. When I do searches for Barbie images, many have a Pauldron which is not a full set of armor.
Thanks for any and all insight - this is my first Barbarian character.
The DM may not allow for the Pauldron to boost AC with unarmored defense, since it technically is armor. I wouldn't allow it for my games and wouldn't allow it to work with Bracers of Defense. Having it there as clothing wouldn't be an issue in either case, since it would only be flavor.
What you’re describing is effectively a reskinning of Studded Leather into a Pauldron. That’s armor.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
If for nothing else, I think that the look of a Pauldron on my unarmored Barbarian would look cool - no AC boost is okay, just needed input. Thank you
Seems to be the consensus. Thank you for your reply.
Not really, if he is using leather armor reskinned, he's not using unarmored defense. As long as you're not gaining a mechanical advantage, I'd say it's fine to skin a shield as a pauldron. You'd just have to remember that you don't have an open hand to grab things with (although with shield master, I'd let you "punch" things prone). It's fluff and flavor, it doesn't change anything important other than your image of your character.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
They seemed to be describing a +2 AC and a free hand because it’s strapped to their shoulder and not held. That’s the same benefit as wearing Studded Leather, which should preclude Unarmored Defense.
Now, if it still must be “held” and thereby prevents wielding a two-handed weapon, then yes, it would just be a reskinned Shield.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
he said in his original post, he said that he wouldn't be able to hold a great weapon, so that indicated to me that he's aware that he's losing his free hand. Re-skinning just about anything is cool, provided you don't change the mechanics unduly. if he wants a free hand for things, then it has to be studded leather. If he wants to use unarmored defense, he gets no free hand.
If his vision includes his pauldron with unarmored defense AND a two handed sword...sure. You can flavor using your longsword with two hands, just as long as you're rolling a d8 when it comes to damage time I couldn't care less.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
That sounds fair.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Yeah, the goal is to wear a pauldron instead of holding a shield. Use of one-handed weapons only, and I love the idea of using the pauldron as a shield master. This
Well then I see no reason that wouldn’t be okay.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Like I was thinking, I want the Pauldron for the +2 AC for my Barbarian, but I know that a shield take sup a hand. I would like to go from Greataxe down to Battleaxe for the two-handed down to one-handed game-play.
It was an opinion pole, and getting the feedback has been helpful - now I just have to convince my DM of my intentions.