Once in a while I find myself making a character who has a hand free to use a shield... Problem is.. I think shields often aren't very fitting to the my character concepts..Typically we're talking agile martial characters like a dex based fighter and I just can't picture them jumping around with a shield in hand.. Shields are more fitting for heavies, not so much switft strikers. So I was thinking, what are some ideas for reflavoring a shield for a nimble character concept?
Not all shields are tower shields. There are many subtle arm shields that have been in use throughout the ages. Captain America has a larger version of what I'm talking about and I think also would count as a very nimble character.
Look up deployable arm shields, they might also work for what you are thinking about.
Not to push back on your idea, but the notion that shields are more suited for heavies than for quick fighters isn’t really accurate: it’s more founded on unrealistic movies and video games than actual fighting. (In fact, the distinction between quick fighters and heavies isn’t accurate either, but that’s fantasy for you.) A character can fight with agility and still make excellent use of a shield. That said, maybe a buckler (small, round “punch shield”) might be a better fit for your idea and makes more sense with a rapier, and it could still have the stats of a regular shield. Or, of course, you could go the route of such legends as Aragorn, Jon Snow, and Geralt and just swing your longsword with two hands.
With all due respect :) This is not a discussion whether or not shields are heavy, it's for suggestions for reflavorings of shields. I appreciate the few people who came with ideas already.
Not to push back on your idea, but the notion that shields are more suited for heavies than for quick fighters isn’t really accurate: it’s more founded on unrealistic movies and video games than actual fighting. (In fact, the distinction between quick fighters and heavies isn’t accurate either, but that’s fantasy for you.) A character can fight with agility and still make excellent use of a shield. That said, maybe a buckler (small, round “punch shield”) might be a better fit for your idea and makes more sense with a rapier, and it could still have the stats of a regular shield. Or, of course, you could go the route of such legends as Aragorn, Jon Snow, and Geralt and just swing your longsword with two hands.
I don't think being based on unrealistic movies and videogames renders it an invalid concern. DnD is meant to simulate the cool stuff from movies and books nearly as often (if not more) than it simulates reality. I think Toast's concern is therfore valid if they think a shield bungles the duelist aesthetic they were going for, though I agree that a smaller shield or buckler would be an ok fix for it.
I myself don't often use shields for the same reason, but I do like to use the Defensive Duelist feat and the Dueling fighting style just to make sure I get something from the trade-off.
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Once in a while I find myself making a character who has a hand free to use a shield... Problem is.. I think shields often aren't very fitting to the my character concepts..Typically we're talking agile martial characters like a dex based fighter and I just can't picture them jumping around with a shield in hand.. Shields are more fitting for heavies, not so much switft strikers. So I was thinking, what are some ideas for reflavoring a shield for a nimble character concept?
Not all shields are tower shields. There are many subtle arm shields that have been in use throughout the ages. Captain America has a larger version of what I'm talking about and I think also would count as a very nimble character.
Look up deployable arm shields, they might also work for what you are thinking about.
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"Play the game however you want to play the game. After all, your fun doesn't threaten my fun."
A parrying dagger or sword-catcher comes to my mind.
EDIT: Or a buckler, which could be small enough to use for fencing, if memory serves me correctly.
Not to push back on your idea, but the notion that shields are more suited for heavies than for quick fighters isn’t really accurate: it’s more founded on unrealistic movies and video games than actual fighting. (In fact, the distinction between quick fighters and heavies isn’t accurate either, but that’s fantasy for you.) A character can fight with agility and still make excellent use of a shield. That said, maybe a buckler (small, round “punch shield”) might be a better fit for your idea and makes more sense with a rapier, and it could still have the stats of a regular shield. Or, of course, you could go the route of such legends as Aragorn, Jon Snow, and Geralt and just swing your longsword with two hands.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
A parrying dagger, tonfa or other one-handed weapon you'd in this case only use for defense.
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Not exactly lumbering hulks.
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With all due respect :) This is not a discussion whether or not shields are heavy, it's for suggestions for reflavorings of shields. I appreciate the few people who came with ideas already.
I don't think being based on unrealistic movies and videogames renders it an invalid concern. DnD is meant to simulate the cool stuff from movies and books nearly as often (if not more) than it simulates reality. I think Toast's concern is therfore valid if they think a shield bungles the duelist aesthetic they were going for, though I agree that a smaller shield or buckler would be an ok fix for it.
I myself don't often use shields for the same reason, but I do like to use the Defensive Duelist feat and the Dueling fighting style just to make sure I get something from the trade-off.