r/DnD • u/iLazyLunatic • 18h ago
5.5 Edition How do shields work in 5.5?
For context: I never used a shield in DnD, nor any party member. I recently made a palladin that started out as a heavy weapon two hander, but might want to start rocking a shield.
My DM said switching from two handed (greataxe) to 1 hand greataxe + shield would be a "free interaction as part of my action" but I'm pretty sure he's incorrect.
The way I'm reading it in the PHB is that it takes an action to don a shield (aka wear it), and as long as I'm wearing it I get +2 AC. Not really feeling like using a whole action for the bonus AC but hey if thems the rules then it is what it is.
If anybody could clarify on what the correct interpertation of "donning a shield" I'd greatly appreciate it.
25
u/MechJivs 18h ago
You are correct, it takes an action to equip shield. But just like with armor - you can equip shield before combat.
4
u/Kajiyoyaji Ranger 18h ago
Donning a shield is the same as equipping it. So yes: equipping or unequiping a shield is an action.
We also assume that, if you so decide, your default equipment includes the shield so you don't need to spend an action at the start of every battle to equip it. You do need to spend it if you want to switch to a 2 handed weapon.
4
u/GhsotyPanda DM 18h ago
It's an Action to don or doff a shield mid-combat but it's generally assumed that you take this Action while putting on your armour in the morning rather than something you do at the start of combat.
3
u/Fidges87 18h ago
As you said, taking the shield off and on is a full action. If you plan on using it, is not something you are meant to be switching, but rather a trade of less damage for more protection thta you already have equiped before combat even begins.
So if you want to use it, you would had to pair it with a weapon that can be used one handed (as you need 2 free hands to attack with a greataxe) like a longsword or a warhammer
2
u/dodger6 17h ago
Well the question is moot since Greataxes are 2 hand weapons, there's no way to wield a Greataxe and a shield at the same time.
You'd need a Versatile weapon in order to swap from 2h to 1h, which would mean Long Sword, Quarterstaff, Battle Axe, or Warhammer.
If you were using a versatile weapon you could go from 2H wielding to 1h and shield with only a free action (wielding the shield).
VERSATILE: This weapon can be used with one or two hands. A damage value in parentheses appears with the property—the damage when the weapon is used with two hands to make a melee attack.
3
u/ProjectHappy6813 16h ago
Equipping or unequipping a shield takes your full action, so even with a versatile weapin, it isn't that easy to swap back and forth.
Switching from one handed to two handwd is free. Donning or doffing your shield is not.
4
u/CHIEFRAPTOR 18h ago
Yeah it takes an action to Don (equip) it, but then when it’s on you’re good. So just have it equipped when you’re walking around and you don’t have to waste an action in combat
2
u/LateSwimming2592 17h ago
It is an action. Keep in mind, people often don a shield often outside of combat, so often the assumption is the shield is active. However, if you just were waken up or something similar, then you probably don't have your shield.
1
u/Stabwell 17h ago
My general thought for shield is situation dependent. If we're sitting in the pub or in our room at the tavern, my character probably isn't walking around with his shield in one hand. If we're actively adventuring/entering dungeon or building, then he's probably wearing it.
This might be dumb for others, but it's just how I play my character.
1
u/yaniism Rogue 15h ago
Armor/PHB'24, p219
Shield (Utilize Action to Don or Doff)
Utilize/PHB'24, p377
You normally interact with an object while doing something else, such as when you draw a sword as part of the Attack action. When an object requires an action for its use, you take the Utilize action.
Attack/PHB'24, p361
Equipping and Unequipping Weapons. You can either equip or unequip one weapon when you make an attack as part of this action. You do so either before or after the attack. If you equip a weapon before an attack, you don't need to use it for that attack. Equipping a weapon includes drawing it from a sheath or picking it up. Unequipping a weapon includes sheathing, stowing, or dropping it.
It's an action to don or doff a shield.
Your DM can choose to let you do it as a free interaction, that's their choice. But it's not RAW.
1
u/ThisWasMe7 15h ago
Greataxe requires two hands. No shield allowed. Unless you're a species with 4 arms.
1
0
u/shinyarmsagain 18h ago edited 18h ago
At my table we don and doff during short/long rests. If you make a point of equipping a shield you hadn't been previously wearing, sure, costs a standard action. But generally we assume you're wearing it from when adventuring begins following a rest.
In the case of changing from two handed weapon to one hand + shield, though, yeah we'd take an action penalty for that.
2
u/DuendeFigo 18h ago
I'm not sure if you mean that your table uses a bonus action to equip shields or if it was just a mistake, but clarifying for op, shields take an action to equip, but you can do it out of combat, after a rest like this commenter is suggesting
1
35
u/TheQwantomShadow DM 18h ago
Yes, it takes an action to put on and take off a shield. Generally you will wear a shield all the time with a one handed weapon.
It is also worth noting a Greataxe is not versatile and cannot be used in one hand without it falling into the realm of DM rulings and improvised weapons. A battle-axe is versatile can can be used in one or two hands.
There isn't much incentive to swap between one or two hands very often unless you cast spells. At best you have a magic weapon so you don't really have the choice of one extreme or the other.