I'm making an arcane dualist bard after reading that bards can cast with a shield. But upon looking this up online I have yet to find a definitive explanation as to what this means. It's my understanding that with a Buckler I could already cast but I would lose my AC Bonus granted by my shield. Would this still apply for a Bard? What about heavier shields?
For example, say I used a light shield. My understanding is that, while I could still cast I would lose my AC bonus from the shield? Or could I keep the AC bonus because I'm specifically able to cast with a Shield?
Currently I'm trying to set my character up with a heavy shield but what's to stop someone from gaining tower shield proficiency and casting behind that? (other than the annoyance of the shield itself)
I've found many thread on nearly similar topics regarding clerics and a few that bring up this ability but this specific question is usually passed over.
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Currently I'm trying to set my character up with a heavy shield but what's to stop someone from gaining tower shield proficiency and casting behind that?
Read up on Arcane Spell Failure if you're interested in using a Tower Shield. I would advise against it.
EDIT: Nevermind. I see what you mean. "A bard can cast bard spells while wearing light armor and use a shield without incurring the normal arcane spell failure chance".
What this means is that you can use a shield (Buckler, Light, Heavy, Tower, Klar, whatever) and not incur the Arcane Spell Failure chance normally associated with doing so.
Ok, so then tis back to the quickdraw light shield for me then. Thanks for clarifying