Shield Block: Useful at higher levels?

[KutuluKultist]

My prima facie impression is that shield block beyond the earliest levels in general means: lose your shield to prevent a little damage.
Is that how it plays or am I missing something?

[Darthdavid]

I think once you start getting into beefier shields it will becomes worth it.

[lordcirth]

KutuluKultist wrote:

My prima facie impression is that shield block beyond the earliest levels in general means: lose your shield to prevent a little damage.

Is that how it plays or am I missing something?

Just like any other gear, you will need to get better (magical) shields to keep up.

[rayous brightblade]

KutuluKultist wrote:

My prima facie impression is that shield block beyond the earliest levels in general means: lose your shield to prevent a little damage.

Is that how it plays or am I missing something?

level 10 sturdy shield, hardness 13, hp 104 bt 52. Fire giants (level 10 monsters) do 2d12+13. So average 14 a hit after hardness, so blocks 4 hits before breaking on average. during 10 minutes rest after combat a master level repair fixes 20 hp, 40 on a crit.

Seems fine to me

[Thebazilly]

If you're investing in Shield Block, you're probably going to upgrade into Sturdy Shields as you keep leveling up.

I don't know if anyone's run the math on the forums yet for Sturdy Shields vs expected damage, but I'd suspect the developers have.

[KutuluKultist]

Thanks. That was helpful.

[Zwordsman]

Hmm. I'd love to see the differences between Buckler light or heavy, and Tower.

Buckler is rather neat in that you can still use that hand for other activities, like ranged weaponos and still drop the last act on shield raising.

[Squeakmaan]

I foresee adamantine shields becoming way more popular than in 1st edition

[Eltacolibre]

In general, I would say shield block is so good that if you are a martial... There is almost no reasons to not use it.

A few, monsters not a lot mind you got special actions which breaks or destroy shields (usually involve everything going well.) the adamantine golem is probably the biggest exception since this golem destroy shields and armor on crits (your shield would be destroyed first if you have one) if not you will lose your armor so even in that case having a shield is good idea.