Grease spell on shield

[Xavram5]

Can this be done to force someone to make a Reflex roll and if they fail, they drop their shield? I know this seems dumb, given that a shield is attached but Pathfinder rules also states that dropping a shield is a "Move" action that doesn't provoke...how unstrapping a shield from your arm doesn't provoke makes about as much sense as using Grease on a shield, so I thought I would ask!

[Cyrad]

If it's strapped to your arm, grease won't make it slip. Besides, you likely cannot see the shield grip anyway. Grease relies on line of sight.

[Archaeik]

Grease wrote:

The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item. A creature wearing greased armor or clothing gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and combat maneuver checks made to escape a grapple, and to their CMD to avoid being grappled.

It doesn't matter that it's strapped on, and per the target line, you only need to see the object, not a specific part.

It's not unreasonable to grant a circumstance bonus to secured items, like a shield, but it doesn't directly detail how much such a bonus should be.

[Mojorat]

The problem is i can repeatedly let go of my shield and... it won fall off. Greas8ng it shoukd do nothing.

[Archaeik]

Logic + Magic is not a good combo.

[Theconiel]

Dropping a weapon is a free action. All you have to do is let go. Dropping a shield is a move action; you must undo the strap before you can let go of the shield. If the target fails his save, I would rule that he does not actually drop the shield, since it is still strapped to his arm. BUT he would lose his grip on the handle, so he would not be able to use the shield. He would need to make another reflex save to use the shield.

But this analysis is not RAW. By RAW, he drops the shield.

[Gator the Unread]

Also depends on if you rule if the shield is wielded, or worn. At least, I'm hoping it matters. If worn items can be slipped off an unwilling target with a grease spell, then no heavily armored opponent is safe.

* I did specify unwilling target; grease plus willing targets are another game

[blahpers]

The strap gets greased, and the shield slips right off like a wedding ring covered in butter. Magic butter.

Edit: Hmm. I ought to make a wizard who uses alternate names for his spells. "I cast butter."

[Xaratherus]

blahpers wrote:

The strap gets greased, and the shield slips right off like a wedding ring covered in butter. Magic butter.

I can't believe it's not magic butter!

As to the original question - yes, I'd say a shield would be affected by RAW. Otherwise, someone wielding a shield as a weapon (which seems to be fairly common in certain builds) would be getting a 'free' immunity to being disarmed by Grease.

At the very least, I'd rule that even if the wielder didn't drop it, he'd lose the AC benefit of the shield.

[Louis Lyons]

Cyrad wrote:

If it's strapped to your arm, grease won't make it slip. Besides, you likely cannot see the shield grip anyway. Grease relies on line of sight.

Well, if you are going to be technical, a wizard usually cannot see the handle or grip of the sword or axe that they are greasing either since it is being gripped by their opponent. But that doesn't stop the grease spell from working as intended.

[Lakesidefantasy]

Yummm...magic butter.

[Xaratherus]

blahpers wrote:

Edit: Hmm. I ought to make a wizard who uses alternate names for his spells. "I cast butter."

Thank you, this totally made my day for some reason. I'm picturing a Wizard with like, Robin Williams or Will Ferrell doing the voice, and 'calling' all of his spells.

[Jiggy]

This is probably relevant.

[Kelarith]

The shield is strapped to the arm, meaning it wouldn't drop to the ground. However, in order to properly use the shield as a weapon, or to block incoming attacks, you need to grip the handle part of the shield as well. That grip would be compromised by the grease spell. Therefore, while the shield isn't technically dropped, it is no longer useful as a shield. That's how I'd play it.

Similar to a weapon with a weapon chain on it. You can't technically lose the sword, but it's not usable.

[blahpers]

Jiggy wrote:

This is probably relevant.

Hmm. Okay, but arguments are going to come up for all the other "worn" weaponry. RAW doesn't really support SKR's position, but it makes sense.