buckler with two handed weapon

[Kevin2377]

It may be a dumb question but what are the rules about using a two-handed weapon with a buckler ? the players handbook states that you can use a bow and buckler combo.

 

[DanMcS]

Buckler

This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

Which part of that did you have a question about?

 

[Pinotage]

It may be a dumb question but what are the rules about using a two-handed weapon with a buckler ? the players handbook states that you can use a bow and buckler combo.

Welcome to the boards! The rules you're looking for are under the description of the buckler itself:

Buckler

This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.

You can’t bash someone with a buckler.

Pinotage

 

[RigaMortus2]

Which part of that did you have a question about?

Reading is Fundamental

 

[Infiniti2000]

It may be a dumb question but what are the rules about using a two-handed weapon with a buckler ? the players handbook states that you can use a bow and buckler combo.

Welcome, Kevin. Don't let the previous responses deter you from sticking around.

The above (duplicated) quotes are from the 3.5 SRD, which clearly denotes two-handed weapons. The 3.0 rules, however, are not so clear and do not mention two-handed weapons in the same section. Are you using 3.0 perchance? Here's the same section:

Buckler: This small metal shield is strapped to the forearm, allowing it to be worn and still use the hand. A bow or crossbow can be used without penalty. An off-hand weapon can be used, but a -1 penalty on attack rolls is imposed because of the extra weight on your arm. This penalty stacks with those for fighting with the off hand and, if appropriate, for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if a weapon is used in the off-hand, the character doesn't get the buckler's AC bonus for the rest of the round.

It seems like you can't use a buckler with a two-handed weapon in 3.0, not even with a penalty.

 

[IcyCool]

It seems like you can't use a buckler with a two-handed weapon in 3.0, not even with a penalty.

Well, there's the thing. If you are using a two-handed weapon, are you not using a weapon in your off hand?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Well, there's the thing. If you are using a two-handed weapon, are you not using a weapon in your off hand?

Nope. To use a weapon in your off-hand, you would be wielding two weapons (though not necessarily one in your primary hand I suppose). If you wield a two-handed weapon, you don't suffer two-weapon penalties.

I'm not sure that's what you meant, though, so I don't mean to sound patronizing.

 

[IcyCool]

No offense taken, I'll see if I can clarify:

Is a person using two daggers using a weapon in his off hand? Yes

Is a person using a two handed weapon using a weapon in his off hand? Well, he's using it in both hands, so the answer must be yes.

I don't personally rule that way, but there is wiggle room.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Keep in mind that off-hand and two hands have specific game mechanics repercussions. The rule I quoted mentions off-hand and gives penalties associated with that. That's the same off-hand used for two weapon fighting. Two handed weapon fighting has no such term as 'off-hand' so any use of that term must not be attributed to two-weapon fighting. To argue as such, you'd also have to rule that you get half strength bonus, etc., which obviously creates a paradox. In this case, how can you apply a penalty to your off-hand and not your primary hand when you attack with a two-handed weapon? You can't, so therefore the penalty must only be for two-weapon fighting and not any other way of fighting.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

So let me see if I get this straight.

Bow + Buckler = Buckler to AC, no penalty to attack.

Longsword (Primary Hand) + Buckler = Buckler to AC, no penalty to attack.

Longsword/ShortSword (PH and OH) + Buckler = NO Buckler to AC if you attack with Short Sword this round, otherwise Buckler to AC, -1 penalty to attacks.

Greatsword + Buckler = Buckler to AC, -1 penalty to attacks.

--fje