Vindicator's Shield & Shield Cloak

[Dark Immortal]

I searched several threads, got conflicting views, saw a reference to Jason Buhlman having answered this but could not find it.

When using the Holy Vindicator's Vindicator's Shield ability, what constitutes wearing? If I had a heavy steel shield I was carrying but did not have readied would I get the sacred/profane bonus to ac? Must it be readied?

My cleric is cool. He uses a scythe and a shield cloak. I can activate the cloak and treat it as if it were a light wooden shield-enabling me to channel into it. The bonus lasts until I am hit or for 24 hours. It doesn't seem to end when the cloak is not being used as a shield. Also, I am always wearing the cloak. The ability from the prestige class gives me the benefit of the sacred/profane bonus to ac so long as I am wearing my shield.

Different posts have said you can strap the shield to your back and get the bonus, others have disagreed. If anyone can provide the kink to any developer post or find a definite answer to this, that would be great. It is probably the deciding factor on whether I commit to enter the PRC or not. A cloak adding a useful profane bonus to ac on a scythe wielder is pretty cool, you know. :)

[Diminuendo]

If you are getting the shield bonus from wielding the cloak, you get the bonus from Vindicator’s Shield; seems fair to me.

[Dark Immortal]

I am pretty sure that works. But there is text in Vindicator's shield implying that this bonus may or may not be applicable depending on what I am doing with the shield/cloak. When I wear the cloak am I able to receive the profane bonus? When I carry a shield, do I receive the profane bonus? Those are essentially the same question.

[Chess Pwn]

If it's not equipped giving the shield bonus to AC then it doesn't give the profane bonus.

I feel it can relate to wielding a two-handed weapon. You can hold it in one hand, you just aren't wielding it unless you have two hands. Same for this shield. Unless it's being used to give you the shield bonus you wouldn't receive the profane bonus.

[TGMaxMaxer]

+1 to : if you aren't receiving the shield AC bonus, then no profane/sacred bonus.

It says that it retains the ability even when not being held because with a 24hr. duration power, you might need to put the shield down to say, climb a ladder, and it is just letting you know that when you pick it back up it is still charged and you don't need to burn another channel to get the bonus again.

The shield cloak only functions as a shield when you take the move to hold it and make it harden. When it is loose, it would give no benefits.

[Dark Immortal]

In a few other much older threads the opposite has been stated. One person goes so far as to say there is errata on it from Jason that supports that it's charged and the bonus is always on for you once you do so for 24 hours or until hit. The wording in the ability can be read as the charge stays or the entire effect of the power stays, it is unclear. The intent is not so much my concern because this is for pfs.

I need any raw interpretations or links that might confirm or disprove this.

[Chess Pwn]

By raw, when would a shield be a shield? when it's equipped. It is just worked material if it's sitting in your bag or anywhere else. You're not wearing a shield if you set in on your head, you're not wearing a suit of armor if you sling it over your shoulder. Also, this is the more conservative route, so you wouldn't have to worry about them not allowing it. Now the shield is always charged for you for 24 hours or until hit. So whenever you equip the shield, you'll have the bonus. Anything other then this could be considered "cheese" and potentially not allowed, because that is a very big twist to get worn to mean something else.

[Trekkie90909]

Typically channeling energy into an object charges it with power, granting it special abilities when used. Pursuing that line of reasoning I would say that you only get the bonus when you would normally gain the shield's AC bonus i.e. when it is equipped and readied.

There's enough grey area in there that I'd say it's really up to your DM as far as normal shields go.

In the unique case of the shield cloak, the cloak is not a shield until the user grabs an end and activates it's magical transformative properties. So just wearing it around you would not get the bonus.