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The Donning Armor table says that donning a shield is a move action. However, I've seen many GMs rule that you have to spend TWO move actions, one to draw out the shield, and the other to don it.
Um...where exactly are they drawing the shield FROM? It's not like it will fit in a scabbard or in your backpack. In all liklihood, it was slung over your shoulder onto your back. That's practically already on your arm, you only need to slide it back down.
That sure sounds like it would be only a single move action to me (since it would basically be considered part of donning the shield).
Does anyone know where the RAW stands on this? I've always thought that the move action to retrieve things was to retrieve them FROM A CONTAINER, such as a scabbard, backpack, or scroll case. If the item is readily accessible, as a shield pretty much must be to be carried at all, it doesn't even take THAT long (such as switching a weapon from one hand to another, or drawing ammunition for a ranged weapon--both free actions).
I'm no expert, but I always had the impression that most shields didn't even come with straps in real life, and were simply carried or not carried. In fantasy you usually see guys wearing their shield strapped over their back, and I don't see how that would be terribly difficult to draw.
The idea of having a container for your shield is kind of hilarious to try to picture, though. ^__^
EDIT: I've had depicted characters stowing bucklers or very small shields at the hip, but I have no idea how authentic that is.
Also, I think the text for the quickdraw shields sort of implies that it's just a single action, no? It doesn't distinguish at all between drawing and donning.
I've never been happy with item retrieval actions. If it takes a move action to retrieve a wand from a backpack, why can't I keep it on my belt, in a bandana, in a spring-loaded wrist-holster, etc?
@matthew Downie: you can keep a wand in a spring-loaded wrist sheath, my assassin keeps one of lightning bolt in cases that his martial prowess just can't cut it :(
Wrist Sheath
Source Adventurer's ArmoryThis is a sheath designed to be strapped to your forearm and hidden under a long sleeve. The sheath can hold one forearm-length item such as a dagger, dart, or wand, or up to five arrows or crossbow bolts. Alternatively, you may store up to 1 pound of ammunition in a wrist sheath. As a move action, you can bend your wrist to cause some or all of these items to drop into your hand (provoking attacks of opportunity as normal). You have a +2 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks made to oppose the Perception check of someone observing or frisking you regarding items in the sheath. You can only wear one wrist sheath per arm.
Wrist Sheath, spring loaded
Source Adventurer's ArmoryThis item works like a standard wrist sheath, but releasing an item from it is an swift action. Preparing the sheath for this use requires cranking the sheath’s tiny gears and springs into place (a full-round action that provokes an attack of opportunity).
As for the others...I'm sure if you a small convo with your GM about it and maybe quickdraw he could work something out with you...but remember that in that case your GM should allow the same for NPC's and it could turn into a bad deal lol
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Ravingdork, I think donning and readying a shield is a move action; Quick Draw enables you to do it as a free action. Or you can strap it on your hand so it's always ready (and still use that hand for other things, such as carrying a lantern). Anyway, that's how we've always done it; don't remember if these are just house rules, or from 3E rulebooks/FAQ. Regardless of that, I'm fairly confident that it's not a full-round action to ready a shield, and never has been.
A wise man once said "I don't bother really thinking about where I stow some of my equipment. The GM might ask 'where are you keeping that?' and I usually respond 'at the ready!' If he's a GM worth his salt, he'll not take note of it and keep the game moving."
And thus for the most part, I haven't cared myself.
I've never had a DM suggest this. But I imagine if you gave him the same reasons you just suggested, and he persisted, then you can just make a character with a bunch of light shields, quickdraw, and throwing feats. Because f+~* the police.
I LOL'd. Thanks for that.
Anyway, its absurd to arbitrarily require an extra action to draw a shield. It a move action. The rules know the shield isn't in your backback. You dont need to get it out before you don it. Unless its in a bag of holding of course...
I agree it is only one action in Pathfinder.
IRL it is a pain in the butt. I carried one while LARPing for three years. It was super light, made from strong, modern materials and had foam padded edges. My arm still hurt. It got caught on everything. If it wasn't on my arm, someone was trying to steal it. It was too big 2'x 3' for my back to allow me to sit anywhere. When I did "sling" it, I had to run to a clear spot to have enough time to don it or else I was mauled.
I can only imagine how uncomfortable a real one would be.
I actually avoid playing characters with a shield, because I just can't find a place to store it conveniently.
Speaking as a guy who played LARP for a little while, the sword goes into the scabbard (and yes, I find the rule that drawing doesn't provoke and stowing does, to make sense) and the shield is carried or put on the ground.
You *can* put it on your back with a strap, but it doesn't feel very comfortable. Of course, I'm not a level 3 fighter/... :)