What happens if an character not proficient with shields attempts to weild one? There are rules for an character wearing armor they are not proficient with and shields are classed as armor, but at the same time shields in 5e are less worn than they are held and it seems a Bit extreme for an wizard to be completely prevented from casting spells or for an rouge to take a sudden dip in accuracy and movement finesse just becuase they are both holding a heavy Bit of wood
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i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
Armor Proficiency. Anyone can put on a suit of armor or strap a shield to an arm. Only those proficient in the armor's use know how to wear it effectively, however. Your class gives you proficiency with certain types of armor. If you wear armor that you lack proficiency with, you have disadvantage on any ability check, saving throw, or attack roll that involves Strength or Dexterity, and you can't cast spells.
What happens if an character not proficient with shields attempts to weild one? There are rules for an character wearing armor they are not proficient with and shields are classed as armor, but at the same time shields in 5e are less worn than they are held and it seems a Bit extreme for an wizard to be completely prevented from casting spells or for an rouge to take a sudden dip in accuracy and movement finesse just becuase they are both holding a heavy Bit of wood
What you have to realize is that the most common style of shield in history was a center-grip. It was a 3-foot diameter (or larger) circle composed of planks set together and banded. It then had a steel cap in the canter called the buckler, and behind that was a single center-grip handle. The whole point of that center grip was so that the wielder could use the ability to pivot that shield to deflect blows and to hide their own attacks from view until the last instant. It weighed around 6ish pounds total, and would be very unwieldy to someone untrained in its use.
Trust me, if one is not skilled with it, one definitely has a much harder time doing most things while holding one. I had an opportunity to learn that first hand in a spar once. It was far more challenging to use than I would have thought.
If you want to see for yourself, get an old school metal trashcan lid, screw a 3-foot diameter circle of 1-inch plywood to it, hold it out in front of yourself, and just try to walk around your house for a bit. Try pouring and fixing a cup of coffee for yourself with your other hand. Pouring coffee and cream into a cup and stirring in some sugar would probably be a reasonable analog for Material and Somatic spell components. But remember, you cannot put the shield down to open anything, you gotta do it all with your one free hand. Then tell me you don’t feel as though you were at a disadvantage.
My GM & I found a compromise. I'm playing a Mountain Dwarf non-Hexblade Warlock. Mountain Dwarves get Medium Armor proficiency, but not shields. I would have to take the feat Moderately Armored to get Shield proficiency, which is a waste as I'm already proficient in Medium Armor.
The compromise is I can carry the shield, get the armor bonus and can cast spells... but I still take Disadvantage on the skills and saves for not being proficient.
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Carley Simon, thanks for writing that song about me!
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What happens if an character not proficient with shields attempts to weild one? There are rules for an character wearing armor they are not proficient with and shields are classed as armor, but at the same time shields in 5e are less worn than they are held and it seems a Bit extreme for an wizard to be completely prevented from casting spells or for an rouge to take a sudden dip in accuracy and movement finesse just becuase they are both holding a heavy Bit of wood
i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
There you go.
What you have to realize is that the most common style of shield in history was a center-grip. It was a 3-foot diameter (or larger) circle composed of planks set together and banded. It then had a steel cap in the canter called the buckler, and behind that was a single center-grip handle. The whole point of that center grip was so that the wielder could use the ability to pivot that shield to deflect blows and to hide their own attacks from view until the last instant. It weighed around 6ish pounds total, and would be very unwieldy to someone untrained in its use.
Trust me, if one is not skilled with it, one definitely has a much harder time doing most things while holding one. I had an opportunity to learn that first hand in a spar once. It was far more challenging to use than I would have thought.
If you want to see for yourself, get an old school metal trashcan lid, screw a 3-foot diameter circle of 1-inch plywood to it, hold it out in front of yourself, and just try to walk around your house for a bit. Try pouring and fixing a cup of coffee for yourself with your other hand. Pouring coffee and cream into a cup and stirring in some sugar would probably be a reasonable analog for Material and Somatic spell components. But remember, you cannot put the shield down to open anything, you gotta do it all with your one free hand. Then tell me you don’t feel as though you were at a disadvantage.
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I have a proper shield. It's freaking heavy. I'm useless with it.
My GM & I found a compromise.
I'm playing a Mountain Dwarf non-Hexblade Warlock. Mountain Dwarves get Medium Armor proficiency, but not shields.
I would have to take the feat Moderately Armored to get Shield proficiency, which is a waste as I'm already proficient in Medium Armor.
The compromise is I can carry the shield, get the armor bonus and can cast spells... but I still take Disadvantage on the skills and saves for not being proficient.
Carley Simon, thanks for writing that song about me!