Monks and shields


Classes


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I'm trying to figure whether shields count as armor for the purpose of using the monk unarmored benefits. and also, if it is neglecting them, can one use a shield only as a weapon for shield bash? it's important for me for a build i'm trying, captain america-typed, using both his shield and limbs for fighting.


matande31 wrote:
I'm trying to figure whether shields count as armor for the purpose of using the monk unarmored benefits. and also, if it is neglecting them, can one use a shield only as a weapon for shield bash? it's important for me for a build i'm trying, captain america-typed, using both his shield and limbs for fighting.

Have you considered doing a Fighter/Monk multiclass with the new multiclass rules? Also, I believe shields count as an armor proficiency but I may be wrong.


At the very least the shield will not be as useful because you have a lower proficiency with the shield than with unarmored.


@Excaliburproxy i've considered that, but than again, if i can't benefit from the extra speed a monk archetype grants with a feat, i don't have much to do with that, except for flurry of blows perhaps.

@Nettah i know that, but i'm going to use a light armor anyway to benefit from the high dex unless i can do the monk unarmored stuff, so either way it'll be trained


The "attached" trait specifically calls out being worn as required for shield boss/spikes attacks. So yes, you'd be stuck with the lower proficiency for armor if you wanted to use a shield solely for attacking. Maybe there's a gimmick somewhere for quickly unequiping things and requipping them, but I haven't seen it.

I also like this sort of build, so I'll keep an eye out and see if I can turn anything up.


You could be an elf monk and use an ancestral feat to get the shield cantrip.


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Nettah wrote:
At the very least the shield will not be as useful because you have a lower proficiency with the shield than with unarmored.

I'm not sure... In Armor and Shields, "If you’re using both armor and a shield, apply the lower of the two proficiency modifiers" is followed immediately by "If you’re not wearing armor, substitute your proficiency in unarmored defense." This is definately an area that could use some tightening up.

Also - sidenote - I really dislike the lower of two proficiency rule for Shields. Why even have Shield proficiency with a clause like that in place?

Liberty's Edge

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The Once and Future Kai wrote:
Nettah wrote:
At the very least the shield will not be as useful because you have a lower proficiency with the shield than with unarmored.

I'm not sure... In Armor and Shields, "If you’re using both armor and a shield, apply the lower of the two proficiency modifiers" is followed immediately by "If you’re not wearing armor, substitute your proficiency in unarmored defense." This is definately an area that could use some tightening up.

Also - sidenote - I really dislike the lower of two proficiency rule for Shields. Why even have Shield proficiency with a clause like that in place?

Tell me about it, this is a case where they SHOULD have stuck with the tried and true rule of the same type of Bonus overlapping instead of PUNISHING almost every Class on their AC if they want to use a Shield they are Trained in. Just let the PC use the higher of the two Training Prof Bonuses, I really don't see a reason why the PCs should be at a disadvantage for wanting to use a Shield.

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