New Equipment: Kite Shield

[Shaun]

I noticed that in Pathfinder, there isn't a lot of choice in the area of shields. I wanted something that offers more protection than a large shield, but isn't to the level of a tower shield, which is basically approaching siege equipment with all its rules and drawbacks. Does the following item that I devised seem like it would be balanced?

Shield, kite wooden
Cost: 12 GP
Armor/Shield Bonus: +4
Maximum Dex Bonus: +3
Armor Check Penalty: -4
Arcane Spell Failure Chance: 25%
Speed: N/A
Weight: 15 lbs.

Shield, kite steel
Cost: 36 GP
Armor/Shield Bonus: +4
Maximum Dex Bonus: +3
Armor Check Penalty: -4
Arcane Spell Failure Chance: 25%
Speed: N/A
Weight: 20 lbs.

Shield, Kite; Wooden or Steel: You strap a shield to your forearm and grip it with your hand. A kite shield is so heavy that you can't use your shield hand for anything else. Its tapering point covers the user's foreleg, offering greater protection.

Wooden or Steel: Wooden and steel shields offer the same basic protection, though they respond differently to spells and effects.

Shield Bash Attacks: Due to its tapering, reverse teardrop shape, it is too unwieldy for offense. You cannot bash an opponent with a kite shield.

[Weables]

I'd drop it to +3 AC otherwise it would become the default choice and edge out the heavy shield immediately, which is a sign of imbalance.

[Shaun]

Weables wrote:

I'd drop it to +3 AC otherwise it would become the default choice and edge out the heavy shield immediately, which is a sign of imbalance.

Thanks, that's probably a good edit.

[Saldiven]

You know, I really like the restriction against using the shield for bashing. That, coupled with the reduction to +3 AC makes the shield an option rather than a default. A player can spec for defense with the kite shield, or go for a lesser AC and option to bash with the large shield.

[Castilonium]

D&D 3.5e had the Extreme Shield from Races of Stone, which was the same thing. +3 AC, and couldn't be used for bashing. But it also required a feat, Exotic Shield Proficiency, to use.

[Shaun]

Castilonium wrote:

D&D 3.5e had the Extreme Shield from Races of Stone, which was the same thing. +3 AC, and couldn't be used for bashing. But it also required a feat, Exotic Shield Proficiency, to use.

Ha. And has the silliest name ever. Did it have wheels on the bottom so it could be used as a skateboard and taken the ABSOLUTE XTREME?!?!?

[jeremiah dodson 812]

I think your really on to something.