I have an important question. the animated shield is (very rare). so it's +3? That is to say, an equipped character would have +2 AC (shield base) and +3 for very rare or just +2 base? Thanks for the help.
The very rare designation has no mechanical impact. An animated shield gives you a +2 to AC. That’s all, ever is +2. The benefit comes from not needing to use a hand to wield it, so you can use it while dual wielding, or using a heavy weapon, or ranged weapon, or weapon and spell focus, or something else that requires both hands and still get the armor class bonus from having a shield.
I have an important question. the animated shield is (very rare). so it's +3? That is to say, an equipped character would have +2 AC (shield base) and +3 for very rare or just +2 base? Thanks for the help.
An Animated Shield hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it and othewise doesn't grant any additional AC bonus in itself besides the normal +2 AC.
I have an important question. the animated shield is (very rare). so it's +3? That is to say, an equipped character would have +2 AC (shield base) and +3 for very rare or just +2 base? Thanks for the help.
Think of it this way... each stage of +1 for a weapon increases its rarity, but alternatively, its rarity might be raised by other features. So a +1 weapon is uncommon, but at the same time, a Sentinel Shield is not a +1 weapon, but it gives you advantage on Initiative and Perception Checks, and is also Uncommon. If you were to get a +1 Sentinel Shield, then it would go up into a Rare item... not that there's an accepted system for upgrading magic items, but that's just a shorthand to help understand rarity. I think one comparison you could make is the +1 is the equivalent of taking an ASI on a level up, while if the weapon does something else that's like taking a feat instead.
While holding this shield, you can speak its command word as a bonus action to cause it to animate. The shield leaps into the air and hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it, leaving your hands free. The shield remains animated for 1 minute, until you use a bonus action to end this effect, or until you are incapacitated or die, at which point the shield falls to the ground or into your hand if you have one free.
Nowhere does it state that it has any additional bonuses to AC beyond a regular shield. As opposed to a shield, +3 which states the following:
Armor (shield), very rare
While holding this shield, you have a +3 bonus to AC. This bonus is in addition to the shield's normal bonus to AC.
Just because they’re both “Very Rare” doesn’t mean they both do the same things.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
Not true. You’re penalizing a benefit.
Yes true; Animated Shield's perk is freeing up both hands. If it's treated "as if you were wearing it", then all rules for wearing a shield apply. I've had this debate before, I think someone found an SA supporting it.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
Not true. You’re penalizing a benefit.
Yes true; Animated Shield's perk is freeing up both hands. If it's treated "as if you were wearing it", then all rules for wearing a shield apply. I've had this debate before, I think someone found an SA supporting it.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
Not true. You’re penalizing a benefit.
Yes true; Animated Shield's perk is freeing up both hands. If it's treated "as if you were wearing it", then all rules for wearing a shield apply. I've had this debate before, I think someone found an SA supporting it.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
Not true. You’re penalizing a benefit.
Yes true; Animated Shield's perk is freeing up both hands. If it's treated "as if you were wearing it", then all rules for wearing a shield apply. I've had this debate before, I think someone found an SA supporting it.
The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
Not true. You’re penalizing a benefit.
Yes true; Animated Shield's perk is freeing up both hands. If it's treated "as if you were wearing it", then all rules for wearing a shield apply. I've had this debate before, I think someone found an SA supporting it.
All I saw was you site a sage advice regarding shield master feat and everyone else disagreeing with you regarding what we are talking about now.
How, if you are wielding a shield, do the rules for wielding a shield not apply?
You’re not wielding it. Your gaining the benefits of wielding it because the shield is defending you.
You are incorrect. As stated you gain the benefits, and penalties for wielding a shield. This is clearly supported by not only the SA, but also many others in the linked thread, despite your claims otherwise.
Likewise if you really want to confirm the design intention with this magical item, go ahead and attach it to a character with shield proficiency in the character builder and see what happens. :)
Regardless of how you want to parse the phrase "as if you were wielding it", the RAI on the animated shield is pretty clear that the only benefit of it is to free up your second hand
The shield leaps into the air and hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it, leaving your hands free. The shield remains animated for 1 minute, until you use a bonus action to end this effect, or until you are incapacitated or die, at which point the shield falls to the ground or into your hand if you have one free.
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I have an important question. the animated shield is (very rare). so it's +3? That is to say, an equipped character would have +2 AC (shield base) and +3 for very rare or just +2 base? Thanks for the help.
The very rare designation has no mechanical impact. An animated shield gives you a +2 to AC. That’s all, ever is +2. The benefit comes from not needing to use a hand to wield it, so you can use it while dual wielding, or using a heavy weapon, or ranged weapon, or weapon and spell focus, or something else that requires both hands and still get the armor class bonus from having a shield.
An Animated Shield hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it and othewise doesn't grant any additional AC bonus in itself besides the normal +2 AC.
Think of it this way... each stage of +1 for a weapon increases its rarity, but alternatively, its rarity might be raised by other features. So a +1 weapon is uncommon, but at the same time, a Sentinel Shield is not a +1 weapon, but it gives you advantage on Initiative and Perception Checks, and is also Uncommon. If you were to get a +1 Sentinel Shield, then it would go up into a Rare item... not that there's an accepted system for upgrading magic items, but that's just a shorthand to help understand rarity. I think one comparison you could make is the +1 is the equivalent of taking an ASI on a level up, while if the weapon does something else that's like taking a feat instead.
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The animated shield does exactly what it says it does:
Nowhere does it state that it has any additional bonuses to AC beyond a regular shield. As opposed to a shield, +3 which states the following:
Just because they’re both “Very Rare” doesn’t mean they both do the same things.
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The animated shield is also useful for classes that lack shield proficiency or features that don’t work while wielding a shield.
For example, the animated shield grants its AC bonus to monks, wizards, sorcerers, bards without needing to be actually wielded.
“As if you were wielding it” without actually wielding it.
it can potentially stack with bracers of defense too.
Using up two of your attunement slots just to get +4 AC is a fairly hefty trade-off.
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"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Except the "as if you were wielding it" means you get the penalties if you don't have shield prof as well. Any class can technically equip a shield for the AC, just like any class can technically wear plate armor.
Not true. You’re penalizing a benefit.
Yes true; Animated Shield's perk is freeing up both hands. If it's treated "as if you were wearing it", then all rules for wearing a shield apply. I've had this debate before, I think someone found an SA supporting it.
Edit: Found the post citing the SA ruling
All I saw was you site a sage advice regarding shield master feat and everyone else disagreeing with you regarding what we are talking about now.
How, if you are wielding a shield, do the rules for wielding a shield not apply?
You’re not wielding it. Your gaining the benefits of wielding it because the shield is defending you.
You are incorrect. As stated you gain the benefits, and penalties for wielding a shield. This is clearly supported by not only the SA, but also many others in the linked thread, despite your claims otherwise.
Likewise if you really want to confirm the design intention with this magical item, go ahead and attach it to a character with shield proficiency in the character builder and see what happens. :)
The intent is that you're treated as if you were wielding a shield with everything it entails.
Regardless of how you want to parse the phrase "as if you were wielding it", the RAI on the animated shield is pretty clear that the only benefit of it is to free up your second hand
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)