If I'm not mistaken, wizards can use shields, but they can't cast while using them. Can they cast if animated shield is animated, thus freeing their hands?
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Please, for the love of the gods, tell me how am I to balance DnD with the family and my son's travel hockey? HALP!
If I'm not mistaken, wizards can use shields, but they can't cast while using them. Can they cast if animated shield is animated, thus freeing their hands?
Yes, because the shield works "as if" they were wielding it, but not actually wielding it.
Wizards are not proficient with Shields. They get Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, and Crossbows (Light).
One can still use a shield even if one is not proficient, but it imposes penalties, chief of which is that one cannot cast spells while using it while not proficient.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
One can still use a shield even if one is not proficient, but it imposes penalties, chief of which is that one cannot cast spells while using it while not proficient.
That's pretty much a deal-breaker for wizards I would imagine :)
I would think that, as a magic item it is held aloft by...magic...that was already imbued within the shield bfore the players are given/find it. That magic, for the duration, would cause shield to move w/n rng. of the caster, period; it would also logic that, if u Rn't n combat when activating, the shield would stay in whatever position it was held (i.e.) horizontally overhead.) Furthermore, logic would dictate that if the magic item is (more/less) sentient and works on its own once activated, there is no longer a proficiency penalty. Thus, spellcasters and those without a shield prof. should b able to function/cast spells while getting AC +2 max, w/no penalty. (Especially Monk; whom should b able to gain at least light armor &/or shield prof. in order to give "Monk Weapons" more balance.
That's how I've decided to play and I hope you can find the logic sound.
I feel like this explanation would make sense. I’m running into the same issue with my party because I see above that someone in their answer said yes spellcasters can cast spells using this item because this item “frees their hands” but in the same sentence says the penalty still applies.
So in my case, now that my rouge is using the shield, they are getting penalties on strength and dexterity checks because they’re not proficient with shields. Because this is an animated shield wouldn’t it be appropriate to say the penalty doesn’t apply?
I feel like this explanation would make sense. I’m running into the same issue with my party because I see above that someone in their answer said yes spellcasters can cast spells using this item because this item “frees their hands” but in the same sentence says the penalty still applies.
So in my case, now that my rouge is using the shield, they are getting penalties on strength and dexterity checks because they’re not proficient with shields. Because this is an animated shield wouldn’t it be appropriate to say the penalty doesn’t apply?
Going by the Rules as Written, the Animated Shield is considered to be wielded even when it is not in your hands. This means that any disadvantages that normally come with wielding a shield while not proficient (disadvantage on Dexterity and Strength ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls + unable to cast spells) apply while the shield is floating. If you think that you shouldn't have to be proficient in the shield to use it (which is reasonable but technically homebrew) then talk to your DM about it, and make sure to respect their answer.
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Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Rules as Written, the Animated Shield says it "protects you as if you were wielding it" - so that means you get the +2 AC from it.
It does not say "You are considered to be wielding it" or "you are wielding it" or "you get the effects from wielding it" etc etc... so effects of wielding a shield that aren't the "protection" part don't apply. It protects you as if you were wielding it, but it doesn't impair you as if you were wielding it.
The rules say that If you wear armor that you lack proficiency with, you can't cast spells. While you don't wear a shield but wield one, the same consequences apply and according to the Dev, you are wielding a shield nonetheless game-wise otherwise game features wouldn't work with it,.
@TheTLang Would an Animated Shield count, while animated, as wielded for the purpose of Shield Master?
@JeremyECrawford The text of animated shield says the item protects you as if you were wielding it. To Shield Master and the like, you're wielding it.
Anyone that tells you a very rare magic item that you have to attune to imposes the same penalties as a mundane item anyone can buy for 20 gold at a general store isn't someone I would ever want to be in a game with.
Anyone that tells you a very rare magic item that you have to attune to imposes the same penalties as a mundane item anyone can buy for 20 gold at a general store isn't someone I would ever want to be in a game with.
So basically a Wizard could then wear +2 Plate Mail without penalty with this logic....
Wow you've completely missed the point. Do you really think an attuned item that is specifically described as moving autonomously around its user is even remotely the same as mundane armor with a flat bonus? If so then my logic (which disagrees with the conclusion you imposed on it btw) isn't the problem here.
Wow you've completely missed the point. Do you really think an attuned item that is specifically described as moving autonomously around its user is even remotely the same as mundane armor with a flat bonus? If so then my logic (which disagrees with the conclusion you imposed on it btw) isn't the problem here.
Basically take an VR item that has attunement then and make the same point.
Restrictions are there for a reason no matter whether it is common or legendary.
Seeing as this restriction makes an otherwise cool item functionally useless for 80% of classes I'll take the option that lets my players have more fun. Enjoy your rules.
Seeing as this restriction makes an otherwise cool item functionally useless for 80% of classes I'll take the option that lets my players have more fun. Enjoy your rules.
Absolutely nuts that a shield would be functionally useless for classes that can't use shields!
The fact that the effect ends if you're incapacitated indicates that you still need to directly control it. Even if you drop the penalties, by the evident underlying principle of how it functions it's still useless to a character lacking the proficiency.
The only ones who appear affected are Spellcasters without proficiency in Shields. Regardless of item rarity it's particularly rare for items that normally impose penalties to those without proficiency to not impose it.
The item is still great for casters who do have proficiency either by multi-class dip, subclass benefit or the feat, because it grants benefits to wielders of two handed weapons, dual wielding, grapplers and anything that needs reloading with a second hand.
How does this work thematically? The idea would be that you don't get additional protection by simply strapping a shield on your body. If you did then many adventurers who likely carry their shield on their back when not in use would get the +2AC and have hands free. A shield is something that actually needs to be wielded and moved about to provide the additional protection. In the case of the Animated Shield, it can be wielded without a hand but you're still moving it about (possibly mentally) to provide the additional protection "as if you were wielding it".
As others noted, the point of incapacitation disabling the shield shows that it isn't something completely automated. So while your PC is rolling around in fits of laughter from Tasha's Hideous Laughter, standing there in a daze from the Modify Memory spell, putting up with excruciating pain from the Symbol spell or failing a Rune Knight's Stone Rune function which leaves them standing in a dreamy stupor, the Animated Shield will cease to function and fall to the ground.
Heck, you can still move and talk when incapacitated.
Seeing as this restriction makes an otherwise cool item functionally useless for 80% of classes I'll take the option that lets my players have more fun. Enjoy your rules.
You are of course free to do as you wish as the DM....that is called home brew. However by RAW this is not allowed. Not my rules as I had nothing to do with them.
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If I'm not mistaken, wizards can use shields, but they can't cast while using them. Can they cast if animated shield is animated, thus freeing their hands?
Please, for the love of the gods, tell me how am I to balance DnD with the family and my son's travel hockey? HALP!
Wizards are not proficient with Shields. They get Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaffs, and Crossbows (Light).
Yes, because the shield works "as if" they were wielding it, but not actually wielding it.
One can still use a shield even if one is not proficient, but it imposes penalties, chief of which is that one cannot cast spells while using it while not proficient.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
That's pretty much a deal-breaker for wizards I would imagine :)
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Asked and answered - Thanks so much!
Please, for the love of the gods, tell me how am I to balance DnD with the family and my son's travel hockey? HALP!
I would think that, as a magic item it is held aloft by...magic...that was already imbued within the shield bfore the players are given/find it. That magic, for the duration, would cause shield to move w/n rng. of the caster, period; it would also logic that, if u Rn't n combat when activating, the shield would stay in whatever position it was held (i.e.) horizontally overhead.) Furthermore, logic would dictate that if the magic item is (more/less) sentient and works on its own once activated, there is no longer a proficiency penalty. Thus, spellcasters and those without a shield prof. should b able to function/cast spells while getting AC +2 max, w/no penalty. (Especially Monk; whom should b able to gain at least light armor &/or shield prof. in order to give "Monk Weapons" more balance.
That's how I've decided to play and I hope you can find the logic sound.
I feel like this explanation would make sense. I’m running into the same issue with my party because I see above that someone in their answer said yes spellcasters can cast spells using this item because this item “frees their hands” but in the same sentence says the penalty still applies.
So in my case, now that my rouge is using the shield, they are getting penalties on strength and dexterity checks because they’re not proficient with shields. Because this is an animated shield wouldn’t it be appropriate to say the penalty doesn’t apply?
Going by the Rules as Written, the Animated Shield is considered to be wielded even when it is not in your hands. This means that any disadvantages that normally come with wielding a shield while not proficient (disadvantage on Dexterity and Strength ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls + unable to cast spells) apply while the shield is floating. If you think that you shouldn't have to be proficient in the shield to use it (which is reasonable but technically homebrew) then talk to your DM about it, and make sure to respect their answer.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Rules as Written, the Animated Shield says it "protects you as if you were wielding it" - so that means you get the +2 AC from it.
It does not say "You are considered to be wielding it" or "you are wielding it" or "you get the effects from wielding it" etc etc... so effects of wielding a shield that aren't the "protection" part don't apply. It protects you as if you were wielding it, but it doesn't impair you as if you were wielding it.
The rules say that If you wear armor that you lack proficiency with, you can't cast spells. While you don't wear a shield but wield one, the same consequences apply and according to the Dev, you are wielding a shield nonetheless game-wise otherwise game features wouldn't work with it,.
EDIT: Nevermind.
Misunderstood Mr. Crawford's answer.
He is correct.
Anyone that tells you a very rare magic item that you have to attune to imposes the same penalties as a mundane item anyone can buy for 20 gold at a general store isn't someone I would ever want to be in a game with.
So basically a Wizard could then wear +2 Plate Mail without penalty with this logic....
Wow you've completely missed the point. Do you really think an attuned item that is specifically described as moving autonomously around its user is even remotely the same as mundane armor with a flat bonus? If so then my logic (which disagrees with the conclusion you imposed on it btw) isn't the problem here.
Basically take an VR item that has attunement then and make the same point.
Restrictions are there for a reason no matter whether it is common or legendary.
Seeing as this restriction makes an otherwise cool item functionally useless for 80% of classes I'll take the option that lets my players have more fun. Enjoy your rules.
Absolutely nuts that a shield would be functionally useless for classes that can't use shields!
The fact that the effect ends if you're incapacitated indicates that you still need to directly control it. Even if you drop the penalties, by the evident underlying principle of how it functions it's still useless to a character lacking the proficiency.
The only ones who appear affected are Spellcasters without proficiency in Shields. Regardless of item rarity it's particularly rare for items that normally impose penalties to those without proficiency to not impose it.
The item is still great for casters who do have proficiency either by multi-class dip, subclass benefit or the feat, because it grants benefits to wielders of two handed weapons, dual wielding, grapplers and anything that needs reloading with a second hand.
How does this work thematically? The idea would be that you don't get additional protection by simply strapping a shield on your body. If you did then many adventurers who likely carry their shield on their back when not in use would get the +2AC and have hands free. A shield is something that actually needs to be wielded and moved about to provide the additional protection. In the case of the Animated Shield, it can be wielded without a hand but you're still moving it about (possibly mentally) to provide the additional protection "as if you were wielding it".
As others noted, the point of incapacitation disabling the shield shows that it isn't something completely automated. So while your PC is rolling around in fits of laughter from Tasha's Hideous Laughter, standing there in a daze from the Modify Memory spell, putting up with excruciating pain from the Symbol spell or failing a Rune Knight's Stone Rune function which leaves them standing in a dreamy stupor, the Animated Shield will cease to function and fall to the ground.
Heck, you can still move and talk when incapacitated.
You are of course free to do as you wish as the DM....that is called home brew. However by RAW this is not allowed. Not my rules as I had nothing to do with them.