Can animal instinct barbarians use shields?

[Ravingdork]

Do animal instinct barbarians violate their "no weapons while raging" anathema when using a shield to defend, since shields are weapons?

[HammerJack]

No. Shields aren't weapons.

[nicholas storm]

shields are not weapons. they aren't listed as weapons. Shield bash is a maneuver you can use with a shield, but if you don't use the maneuver, the shield is not a weapon. It would be the same as saying the animal barbarian can't carry a stick, because it could be used as an improvised weapon.

Shield Bash: A shield bash is not actually a
weapon, but a maneuver in which you thrust or
swing your shield to hit your foe with an
impromptu attack

[citricking]

RAW they can, but I don't think they should conceptually. It's clearly optimal for them to use a shield, but it really seems like it goes against the concept, so I would house rule it if I were you. I hope they errata animal barbs and stance monks being able to use shields.

[Vlorax]

citricking wrote:

RAW they can, but I don't think they should conceptually. It's clearly optimal for them to use a shield, but it really seems like it goes against the concept, so I would house rule it if I were you. I hope they errata animal barbs and stance monks being able to use shields.

It should stay as a house rule since this is just your opinion, there's nothing wrong with animal barbs and stance monks using a shield.

A Shark/Deer barb using a shield and biting/Antlers over the top seems to fit the concept just fine.

[Squiggit]

Agree with Vlorax.

Mechanical options that provide alternatives to shields sound like a good idea, but errata that tells someone else they can't play the character they like because it doesn't fit your vision of the class feels bad and should be avoided.