Didn't find much in terms of discussion on character shields from the monsters point of view, so let me ask...
So I was thinking of having a monster try to rip away a players shield, and I’m thinking what kind of rolls I’d do to do this. I feel like there would be an attack roll to see if the monster can grab the shield, though I feel that using the player’s DC makes it harder than it should be to get ahold of a shield the player holding in front of them facing the attacker. I’m thinking that rather than using AC to Hit for the monster, it probably makes more sense to use a a d20+Dex roll with a DC value, depending on the shield and the way the player is using it, from 10 to 18. If they grab the shield it is considered ‘grappled/restrained’ and provides one less value to the players AC. Player can make strength check to remove the attackers hold on it, and attacker can do the same to try and take it from the player.
I'm not sure the disarm rules would work completely for a shield, as they are generally strapped to the arm (hence it taking an action to doff a shield, rather than being able to just drop it like a weapon).
I the idea of using a grapple to grab hold of the shield*, but to remove it would then take either the monster reaching behind to undo or cut the straps (a fairly difficult dex, maybe sleight of hand, check?), or a really difficult strength check to "rip" it off.
I'd probably go down the route of grapple>Contested Strength>DM rolls to see if the shield comes off or not. If the player wins, no issue. If the monster wins, it's either going to throw the shield or throw the shield with them still attached (effectively a shove).
I do like the idea of disadvantage to disarm the shield given the method in which it equipped, so that's in. But that begs the question what should the DC be then? Maybe 10?
I also like the idea of the 'throw with player attached' aka Shove.
I think this line of thought also opens up feats or magical items designed to disarm an enemy of his or her shield. Like an ability to very briefly planeshift an object. Or a 'dissolve leather' ability. Which makes me think that Crit's on shields that have leather bindings have some %chance of possibly breaking the leather bindings.
All interesting concepts of how intelligent creatures or uniquely crafted monsters (rust monster) might handle a shield, in an attempt to add unique flavor and more fun to that aspect of gameplay.
I do like the idea of disadvantage to disarm the shield given the method in which it equipped, so that's in. But that begs the question what should the DC be then? Maybe 10?
The current optional Disarm rules from the DMG is a contested roll, not a static DC.
Didn't find much in terms of discussion on character shields from the monsters point of view, so let me ask...
So I was thinking of having a monster try to rip away a players shield, and I’m thinking what kind of rolls I’d do to do this. I feel like there would be an attack roll to see if the monster can grab the shield, though I feel that using the player’s DC makes it harder than it should be to get ahold of a shield the player holding in front of them facing the attacker. I’m thinking that rather than using AC to Hit for the monster, it probably makes more sense to use a a d20+Dex roll with a DC value, depending on the shield and the way the player is using it, from 10 to 18. If they grab the shield it is considered ‘grappled/restrained’ and provides one less value to the players AC. Player can make strength check to remove the attackers hold on it, and attacker can do the same to try and take it from the player.
I usually go with the disarm rules:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/dungeon-masters-workshop#Disarm
I'm not sure the disarm rules would work completely for a shield, as they are generally strapped to the arm (hence it taking an action to doff a shield, rather than being able to just drop it like a weapon).
I the idea of using a grapple to grab hold of the shield*, but to remove it would then take either the monster reaching behind to undo or cut the straps (a fairly difficult dex, maybe sleight of hand, check?), or a really difficult strength check to "rip" it off.
Disarm with Disadvantage? Let's not try to complicate things for no reason.
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Yeah, I guess that could work
I'd probably go down the route of grapple>Contested Strength>DM rolls to see if the shield comes off or not. If the player wins, no issue. If the monster wins, it's either going to throw the shield or throw the shield with them still attached (effectively a shove).
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I do like the idea of disadvantage to disarm the shield given the method in which it equipped, so that's in. But that begs the question what should the DC be then? Maybe 10?
I also like the idea of the 'throw with player attached' aka Shove.
I think this line of thought also opens up feats or magical items designed to disarm an enemy of his or her shield. Like an ability to very briefly planeshift an object. Or a 'dissolve leather' ability. Which makes me think that Crit's on shields that have leather bindings have some %chance of possibly breaking the leather bindings.
All interesting concepts of how intelligent creatures or uniquely crafted monsters (rust monster) might handle a shield, in an attempt to add unique flavor and more fun to that aspect of gameplay.
Watch how far you go with this. Frequent theft or destruction of equipment is not something most players will appreciate.
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The current optional Disarm rules from the DMG is a contested roll, not a static DC.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/dungeon-masters-workshop#Disarm
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I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
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Well I was thinking of the 'To Hit', not the disarm.
It's all one contested roll, there isn't a separate "To Hit" and "Disarm" roll.
Canto alla vita
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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!