While trying to tweak game mechanics in the past I've played with active shields for PCs. It was a simple houserule, when attacked shields offer a 2 in 6 chance for the character to be treated with AC equal to Plate +1. This inherently has diminishing returns, as the higher AC your armor provides passively the less often your shield with have a chance to defend the attack. Being in plate and using a shield only gives a chance to be 1 point better, so might as well use the two handed at that point. Mundane shields are unable to help a character in magical plate stop an attack.
When it comes to magical shields with this rule, you can go one of two routes. Magic increases the chance to defend with a shield, +1 being 3 in 6, +2 being 4 in 6, up to a +4 shield always blocking attacks with an AC of plate +1. The other option is to allow the potential bonus of the shield to increase, having a 2 in 6 chance of blocking as plate +2 or plate +3.
Issues with this home rule is that it doesn't work well for mass combat, having to roll for each shielded unit individually, or ruling that a successful roll shields ALL applicable units (which doesn't sit right with me). If using it for the monsters as well it can slow down combat a bit, The DM needs to roll to see if the monster blocked the attack instead of using the time to check the many other things going on in combat. I don't use this rule any more in favor of saving time in combat, but it may be right for your table!
I have long times thought about the relationship of armor and shields, and never ever thought about this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It started as thinking "How much of your body is covered by the shield?" to determine the chance of arrows being blocked. About third is what I settled on, so the mechanic became a 2-in-6 chance. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Delete