Hey All!
I have a monk that recently picked up a shield at level 3 to help with the low AC. However, when I enter Gorilla Stance there was some discussion at my table as the stance specifically states that I'm walking on knuckles and hands so I wouldn't be able to use my shield. I understand not being able to shield bash since I can only use unarmed strikes in the stance RAW, but I would like to think I would still be able to use a reaction with my shield when hit and use the action Raise Shield while in the stance as well.
Thank you all in advance!
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Actual requirements are listed under each feat/stance [for instance, Crane Stance has "Requirements You are unarmored."]. Gorilla Stance doesn't require that you have free hands or aren't wearing a shield, so it doesn't require that: there aren't any 'stealth' requirements. If you're not allowed to wear a shield, it's a houserule your group/DM made, not one in the current rules.
graystone has the right of it.
If you're not allowed to wear a shield, it's a houserule your group/DM made, not one in the current rules.
While I have nothing against houserules, there should be a reason for them and there should be some balance considerations taken into account.
Why does Monk need to not be allowed to use a shield?
Is it only for this one stance? Or all of them?
From just what was posted in the OP, I am suspecting that there are some ulterior motives that aren't being addressed. The narrative description of Gorilla Stance is just the excuse being used to mask those actual motivations.
