| theservantsllcleanitup |
I thought of a simple way to make shield block feel like it has real utility without turning it into some crazy damage soak or redesigning it completely. I haven't done any number crunching or anything, so I figure I'll just set the idea free here and see if it has any legs.
One of the best things shield block can do is prevent effects from getting to you if the damage is low. What if that became a built in effect of the shield regardless of the damage? IE everything behaves as it does now, but if the hit carries a rider, regardless of the damage, the shield could potentially stop it, say a flat DC11 check.
You still take the spillover damage, but this would represent the fact that the damage is being taken *through* the shield and isn't physically connecting with the hero. And the other side of the coin would be the shield deflecting the majority of the attack, but there's still enough grazing contact to make it count.
Real cost/benefit analysis is required in certain situations, like "hmm do I take my chances with the fort save or dent my shield for a chance to avoid it completely?" (additional calculus required when e.g. your fort save is being reduced), and those types of tactical decisions are what this game is all about. I think it adds a lot of value for the skill, but it's also somewhat situational value so it isn't just jacked all the time.
What does the hive mind think?