If you have the `Quick Draw` feat?
If you have the `Quick Draw` feat?
Technically you can, but I would hope a player would not try to game the system and only do so if they intended to use it as a weapon.
I was just thinking of adding such a thing as a class feature for a prestige class I was considering.
I've been posting and thinking about bards, and thinking about a type who would have this ability if she suddenly needed to defend herself.
Weapons must be drawn in order to use them. This is a move action.
Shields must be readied in order to use them defensively. This is a move action.
Quick draw allows you to draw a weapon as a free action, it however does not mention allowing you to ready a shield.
A shield of course is a weapon too, but the "ready" portion of using a shield is unique to the shield.
I would say the character could use quick draw to draw the shield as a free action, but would still require the move action to ready the shield if they wish to gain defensive benefits from it.
If you have the `Quick Draw` feat?
Not really.
Even though a shield can be used as a weapon it is not. A shield is a piece of defensive equipment that is strapped onto the arm as a move action in order to be of use (both defensively and defensively).While not explicitly mentioned in the rules, qickdraw assumes the weapon to be draw is at hand (i.e. sheathed or hanging from a strap within easy reach or in a similar way at hand). I f a weapon is to be retrieved from a backpack sack or similar container in is not actually drawn but rather retrieved.
There are no rules describing how a shield is carried around when not ready. Many players assume it is slung over the back or shoulder from some sort of strap, or just hanging from the saddle. As such it is up to the GM to decide how easy it is to "pull out" the shield. I think most GMs make it a move action to pull out a shield.
Letting a character pull out a shield with the quickdraw feat is in no way unbalancing (especially considering it has to be readied in order to provide AC or to be used for shield bashing. If the shield is drawn and then used for an attack without first readying it, it should be considered an improvised weapon (just as a spear being used to bludgeon someone with, rather than for thrusting).
In my own games I would allow a character to draw a shield with quickdraw if the player can account for an adequate way in which the shield is stored.
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If you have the `Quick Draw` feat?Not really.
Even though a shield can be used as a weapon it is not. A shield is a piece of defensive equipment that is strapped onto the arm as a move action in order to be of use (both defensively and defensively).While not explicitly mentioned in the rules, qickdraw assumes the weapon to be draw is at hand (i.e. sheathed or hanging from a strap within easy reach or in a similar way at hand). I f a weapon is to be retrieved from a backpack sack or similar container in is not actually drawn but rather retrieved.
There are no rules describing how a shield is carried around when not ready. Many players assume it is slung over the back or shoulder from some sort of strap, or just hanging from the saddle. As such it is up to the GM to decide how easy it is to "pull out" the shield. I think most GMs make it a move action to pull out a shield.Letting a character pull out a shield with the quickdraw feat is in no way unbalancing (especially considering it has to be readied in order to provide AC or to be used for shield bashing. If the shield is drawn and then used for an attack without first readying it, it should be considered an improvised weapon (just as a spear being used to bludgeon someone with, rather than for thrusting).
In my own games I would allow a character to draw a shield with quickdraw if the player can account for an adequate way in which the shield is stored.
Which is a whole lotta houserules. By RAW, TM is right...you can quickdraw a shield and shield bash with it...you would not get the AC until you spend a move action to ready the shield however. There is no action penalty for "retreaving" a shield unless you stick in a bag of holding or such. Think of it this way, if you quickdraw your shield, your just grabbing the handle and bashing away...without the arm straped on, you gain no AC bonus.
Which is a whole lotta houserules... Think of it this way, if you quickdraw your shield, your just grabbing the handle and bashing away...without the arm straped on, you gain no AC bonus.
THAT is what I call a houserule.
The basic assumption that a shield must be readied before it can be wielded normally as a weapon, is no more a houserule than you assumption that you can bash with a shield the way you describe it.As I pointed out some aspects of carrying a shiled are not at all described in the rules and are therefore left to GM discretion. Next time you shoot someone with the houserule argument, please be more specific so we can have a constructive discussion about the specifics of it.
I think I am going to say "Yes, but." I don't see why not to allow the player the ability, but would rule that the player would have to have the shield prepared in such a way that it could be deployed at a moment's notice.
I might consider whether a shield that was quick-drawn only grants a +1 shield bonus until a move action is taken to properly deploy it.
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Which is a whole lotta houserules... Think of it this way, if you quickdraw your shield, your just grabbing the handle and bashing away...without the arm straped on, you gain no AC bonus.THAT is what I call a houserule.
The basic assumption that a shield must be readied before it can be wielded normally as a weapon, is no more a houserule than you assumption that you can bash with a shield the way you describe it.As I pointed out some aspects of carrying a shiled are not at all described in the rules and are therefore left to GM discretion. Next time you shoot someone with the houserule argument, please be more specific so we can have a constructive discussion about the specifics of it.
Umm...did you completely miss TM's post? Shield is a weapon, weapons can be quickdrawed...period. The shield must be READIED which costs a move befoe it gives you AC bonus. That is pure RAW.
I actually have to agree with Cold Napalm on this one.
Umm...did you completely miss TM's post? Shield is a weapon, weapons can be quickdrawed...period. The shield must be READIED which costs a move befoe it gives you AC bonus. That is pure RAW.
I suggest you reread my post. Then you would see how I agree/disagree with Treantmonk.
Shields are not "weapons, period". Shields are also protective items aka. "Armor". All armor must be donned (or readied in the case of shields) in order to be fully functional.If you take the time to reread my first post you would see that I am relatively indiferent to the quickdraw part of this issue. My only point this far is the actual functionality of a shield if it is not readied as well. Unlike conventional weapons shields actually have to be readied. And that is RAW.
I suggest you reread my post. Then you would see how I agree/disagree with Treantmonk.
Shields are not "weapons, period". Shields are also protective items aka. "Armor". All armor must be donned (or readied in the case of shields) in order to be fully functional.
Firstly, let me say that I do not want to get into another shield discussion.
Suffice it to say, a shield is both a weapon and armor. Weapons can be fast drawn, therefore a shield can be fast drawn.
However, as I pointed out in my first post, shields must be readied, which is a move action.
It did not occur to me that the shield would need to be readied in order to use it as a weapon - but, now that The Grandfather brings it up, the rules are certainly ambiguous in this regard. I can certainly see making that assumption.
Unless someone can find anywhere in the rules (I doubt it) whether a shield must be readied in order to use it to bash (you can of course use a shield as a weapon if it isn't strapped to your arm - but is it used as a "shield" or an "improvised club"? Can't say I know.) then it ends up in the hands of the individual DM.
I would probably allow it, but I could see going the other way too.
Chances are if you explain to the player that they will not be able to use the shield defensively after a quick draw unless they take the move action to ready it - being able to use it as a weapon will be small consolation anyways.
Firstly, let me say that I do not want to get into another shield discussion...
Hear, hear!
I think it would be much less ambiguous if there had net been a "ready a shield" action but rather a "draw a weapon and shield" action. That would have solved the quickdraw issue as well.
As it is I also think the matter is open to interpretation and left to GM discretion. Personally I think a short clarifying sentence or two under the shield description is in order. It would solve a handfull of problems with shield use.
Shields are weapons.
Shield bash is a thing
Shields are weapons.
Shield bash is a thing
Just because something can be used as a Weapon doesnt make it a weapon-class item.
I can bash you over the head with a Beerstein. That doesnt make Beersteins weapon-class items.
Independent of this Quickdraw Shields are necessary to use Quickdraw with a Shield.
Also, 5-1/2 year necro? Not bad.