View source for Shields Revised (3.5e Variant Rule)

== The Functionality of a Shield ==

A shield is a barrier that you carry with you, to absorb damage. How much damage a shield can absorb depends on how heavy the shield is, what material it is made out of, and the user's [[SRD:Strength|Strength]].

=== {{Anchor|Guard}} ===

A shield confers to its user a [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]]. The user may use his shield to 'block' - that is, put up the guard - against any attack or effect as a [[SRD:Free Action|free action]] usable as many times as he is allowed to make [[SRD:Attacks of Opportunity|attacks of opportunity]] per [[SRD:Round|round]]. As such, dedicated shield users may wish to take [[SRD:Combat Reflexes|Combat Reflexes]] or an equivalent feat.

To be able to guard with a shield, the user must be aware of the attacker and be allowed his [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]] bonus to AC. A [[SRD:Flat-Footed|flat-footed]] defender cannot guard.

When a defender with a shield uses his [[Guard (3.5e Creature Ability)|guard]] against an incoming attack, the damage of that attack is dealt to the guard. If the guard is broken (is reduced to 0 or below), the defender needs to make a [[SRD:Fortitude|Fortitude]] save with a DC equal to 10 + half the enemy's ''proficiency value'' + the enemy's relevant ability score modifier. Here, the ''proficiency value'' is either  [[SRD:Base Attack Bonus|base attack bonus]] for ordinary attacks, [[SRD:Caster Level|caster level]] for [[SRD:Spells|spells]], manifester level for [[SRD:Powers|powers]], initiator level for maneuvers, etc., and the relevant ability score modifier is either [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] in case of physical attacks, or the ability score that determines the power of your spellcasting, manifesting or other form of ability that was being used to break the guard.

The defender can protect himself from more damage if he has a high [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] score, as per the Reduction column on [[#Table: Shields|Table: Shields]] below.

Particularly powerful shields wielded by a highly proficient melee fighter may make their guard nigh invincible, but using guard all the time will wear down your gear. Any damage that is reduced by the guard is dealt to the shield itself (and is reduced by the shield's [[SRD:Hardness|hardness]]). Once the shield's hit points are reduced to 0, it no longer grants its shield bonus to AC and cannot be used to guard anymore until it is repaired.
Author	Sulacu +
Identifier	3.5e Variant Rule +
Rating	Unrated +
Summary	Alters the functionality of shields so they actually act like shields. +
Title	Shields Revised +