I am playing a Orc Barbarian and would like to use a shield as a gut plate. But a shield is intended to be used with one hand to block blows so would you count it as half a shield, since you could block some blows?
It could be 1/4 of a breastplate, would that mean Unarmored Defence wouldn't apply anymore?
Or do I just use it as a descriptor of my character and leave it at that?
This is my first time playing D&D and it has been a blast!
I am playing a Orc Barbarian and would like to use a shield as a gut plate. But a shield is intended to be used with one hand to block blows so would you count it as half a shield, since you could block some blows?
It could be 1/4 of a breastplate, would that mean Unarmored Defence wouldn't apply anymore?
Or do I just use it as a descriptor of my character and leave it at that?
This is my first time playing D&D and it has been a blast!
Thanks
If you just want it for character design, use it as descriptor only.
If you want an AC bonus it either has to be a shield on your arm or treated as armor.