Shields and BT ( and repair a shield )

[HumbleGamer]

Hi everybody,

2 quick questions:

1) If a shield is below its BT, it can't be used at all ( No attacks, no maneuvers, etc... ) or just for the raise shield ( and shield block ) option?

2) I see that "repair an item" is an exploration activity. What about the quick repair feat with Master/Legendary crafting ( 3 or 1 action required )? Are those talent meant to allow a character to repair the shield during a fight ( a skillful crafter with a bandolier for quick repairs during a fight )?

[NielsenE]

For item 1)
"A broken object can’t be used for its normal function, nor does it grant bonuses-with the exception of armor."

Pretty sure that rules out attacking, raising shield, any reactive/auto shield blocks, etc.

(In a home game I would still allow raise shield (no ac bonus), and shield block to soak more damage/perhaps destorying the shield, perhaps reducing the shields hardness, etc. Similarly I might allow attacking with a broken weapon with some chance of destoying it)

For item 2: I'm pretty sure the intent is to allow it in combat. Some quick searches didn't turn up any rule that exploration tag are prohibited in combat. Its just that usually they're nonviable due to needing 10 minutes. If a feat has reduced that down to action-level costs, I don't see any reason why you can't use them.

[HumbleGamer]

Thanks NielsenE ( also for extra tips ) o/

[Draco18s]

HumbleGamer wrote:

Are those talent meant to allow a character to repair the shield during a fight ( a skillful crafter with a bandolier for quick repairs during a fight )?

Even if the answer is "yes" its not worth it. You need to have enough free hands to use the kit (which involves placing the item to be repaired on a flat surface).

So:
(F) Drop shield and weapon
(1) Retrieve pack
(2) Retrieve tools
(3*) Repair shield
(4) Stow tools
(5) Stow pack
(6, 7) Equip shield and weapon

That's seven actions in combat to repair enough shield HP to block 1 hit, maybe 2. Even if we assume you keep your tools in a bandolier and don't need actions (1, 2, 4, 5), that's 3 actions: your whole turn.

You're better off dropping your shield and equipping a new one.

*Assumed 1 action for Legendary, the fastest we can go

[HumbleGamer]

Draco18s wrote:

HumbleGamer wrote:

Are those talent meant to allow a character to repair the shield during a fight ( a skillful crafter with a bandolier for quick repairs during a fight )?

Even if the answer is "yes" its not worth it. You need to have enough free hands to use the kit (which involves placing the item to be repaired on a flat surface).

So:
(F) Drop shield and weapon
(1) Retrieve pack
(2) Retrieve tools
(3*) Repair shield
(4) Stow tools
(5) Stow pack
(6, 7) Equip shield and weapon

That's seven actions in combat to repair enough shield HP to block 1 hit, maybe 2. Even if we assume you keep your tools in a bandolier and don't need actions (1, 2, 4, 5), that's 3 actions: your whole turn.

You're better off dropping your shield and equipping a new one.

*Assumed 1 action for Legendary, the fastest we can go

Indeed, but I am using everstand stance, so it would be just 1 action to unstrap it ( first hand released for free, second hand drop for free), then all the repair I need to perform 1 per action ( from 30 to 60 hp gained per check).

Then 1 action to pick it up and another one to fix it back ( and one more to get my stance back ).

Definitely not the easiest thing, but way better.

I am considering if to buy 2 shields or to have a buckler to cover up for it ( waiting for the indestructible one ).

...

Apart from that, my main issue is that by lvl 10/12 I would be able to just perform from 7 to 12 shieldblock per fight.

[Draco18s]

HumbleGamer wrote:

Indeed, but I am using everstand stance, so it would be just 1 action to unstrap it ( first hand released for free, second hand drop for free), then all the repair I need to perform 1 per action ( from 30 to 60 hp gained per check).

Then 1 action to pick it up and another one to fix it back ( and one more to get my stance back ).

Definitely not the easiest thing, but way better.

Still 5 actions.

[HumbleGamer]

Draco18s wrote:

HumbleGamer wrote:

Indeed, but I am using everstand stance, so it would be just 1 action to unstrap it ( first hand released for free, second hand drop for free), then all the repair I need to perform 1 per action ( from 30 to 60 hp gained per check).

Then 1 action to pick it up and another one to fix it back ( and one more to get my stance back ).

Definitely not the easiest thing, but way better.

Still 5 actions.

I was considering the possibility not to enter the everstand stance ( that's why 1 action less ).

[Draco18s]

Sure, sure. I just think that even at the bare minimum of 3 actions (1 repair, 2 pickup (weapon + shield)) its not worth it.

[HumbleGamer]

Draco18s wrote:

Sure, sure. I just think that even at the bare minimum of 3 actions (1 repair, 2 pickup (weapon + shield)) its not worth it.

I totally agree, but couldn't find an alternative, unless as you proposed, buying another shield.

ps: just to be sure... is there no oil, spell, consumable, magic item, etc meant to deal with a repairing a shield in a quick way?

Apart from mending, which has 10 min casting time and doesn't work on magical stuff, I found nothing.

[Xenocrat]

Mending Lattice, uncommon level 13 talisman costing 525 gp each.

[Draco18s]

Or the...
Fortifying Pebble. 10g that prevents 10 damage to your shield when it would break.

[Mellored]

Viking has a quick second shield option.