Why are shields so mediocre?

[doingwork]

Strangely, to me one of the most unrealistic parts of this game is how ridiculously mediocre shields are. Like, +2 AC for a large shield? The same AC wearing leather armor gives me? Your telling me a shield half the size of my body helps me just as much against an arrow as wearing some leather does to completely avoid any damage?

You cannot use it to assume a blocking/defensive stance, some of the higher-end magical shields have a "shield bash" type ability but all shields should give a bonus action to bash. It should help in push mechanics (easier to push with it, harder to be pushed), etc. They also all seem to give the same AC despite some being made of out makeshift wood and others magical metal. I am aware there are other perks but the Adamantine shield giving the same AC as the scrapwood shield the first goblin drops is kind of hilarious.

Shields are one of the best melee instruments in real combat. Shields being relegated to an AC stick is kind of sad.

[Moonbane]

High end shields can give +3 ac instead of the standard +2 ac.
And you need a feat for what you want
https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Shield+Master
And this is the best shield in the game
https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Viconia's+Walking+Fortress

[deadsanta]

I think the Adamantine shield also has a status inflict on anything that hits you, as well as preventing ANY crits on the user, and may even have a 1 point mitigate (i cant recall), and the +2 AC. It does plenty for a single item slot.

[Moonbane]

The adamantite armor and the grym boss helmet also makes you immune to crits.

[ShadowDark3]

The simple answer is "that's how it is in 5e".

We don't have a definitive underlying answer on why shields are the way they are, but it's most likely to do with balancing. Every point of AC reduces an enemy's chance to hit by 5%, so even a +2 bonus to AC is significant.

[Flan]

Shields in DnD are just thing you can carry for a bit of boost in AC if you don't use 2hand or offhand weapon.

[Underprivileged White Male]

Basically the people that designed D&D weren't very good at understanding weapons and armor.

[Dervish]

If you're a caster, being able to use a shield gives you a decent AC boost

and If you're a half-elf, you get shield proficiency for free

Originally posted by Underprivileged White Male:

Basically the people that designed D&D weren't very good at understanding weapons and armor.

and people who complain don't understand ~game balance~

My cleric already has 23 AC with heavy armor and a shield

[Moonbane]

humans gets shield prof too, very useful for Gale to wield a staff and a shield. Ketheric's shield is superb for him to use with its spell dc bonus.

[doingwork]

I didnt mean "are shields good", I mean they are kinda ridiculous that Dueling and Casters can use them without penalty. I meant, why dont they add any mechanics or change things besides just some AC?

[Underprivileged White Male]

Originally posted by doingwork:

I didnt mean "are shields good", I mean they are kinda ridiculous that Dueling and Casters can use them without penalty. I meant, why dont they add any mechanics or change things besides just some AC?

You also supposed to be able to cast spells without a free hand. Larian just ignores the rules. Hell why do you get shield ac with a bow out? Larian. Even BG1 got that right... 2 1/2 decades ago.

They spent a LOT more time on cutscenes and voice lines than mechanics.

[Metrod125]

Originally posted by doingwork:

I didnt mean "are shields good", I mean they are kinda ridiculous that Dueling and Casters can use them without penalty. I meant, why dont they add any mechanics or change things besides just some AC?

In case you haven't noticed, there's no spell failure when wearing armor. Shields included. This was something present in previous editions of dnd.
Now I can have Gale with ungodly high AC and abjuration stacks. Life is good.

[Underprivileged White Male]

Originally posted by Metrod125:

Originally posted by doingwork:

I didnt mean "are shields good", I mean they are kinda ridiculous that Dueling and Casters can use them without penalty. I meant, why dont they add any mechanics or change things besides just some AC?

In case you haven't noticed, there's no spell failure when wearing armor. Shields included. This was something present in previous editions of dnd.
Now I can have Gale with ungodly high AC and abjuration stacks. Life is good.

Supposed to have a free hand though.

[Metrod125]

Originally posted by Underprivileged White Male:

Originally posted by Metrod125:

In case you haven't noticed, there's no spell failure when wearing armor. Shields included. This was something present in previous editions of dnd.
Now I can have Gale with ungodly high AC and abjuration stacks. Life is good.

Supposed to have a free hand though.

All I have to say is this.
Homebrewed.

[Xiwang]

Originally posted by doingwork:

...

dnd, pathfinder, and most tabletop games think any kind of armor as evasion rating, there is no block, parry, damage mitigation aside resistance or dodge mechanic in the game to partially reduce incoming damage or nullify it.

for computer games i think using other systems is better. there are damage scaling formulas and more that no slaved dm need to handle. i wish some good developer made turn based tactical games using those modern formulas, because as good as the game is i freaking hate that full gothic plate armor is mechanically the same as a naked guy.

[Metrod125]

Originally posted by Xiwang:

Originally posted by doingwork:

...

dnd, pathfinder, and most tabletop games think any kind of armor as evasion rating, there is no block, parry, damage mitigation aside resistance or dodge mechanic in the game to partially reduce incoming damage or nullify it.

for computer games i think using other systems is better. there are damage scaling formulas and more that no slaved dm need to handle. i wish some good developer made turn based tactical games using those modern formulas, because as good as the game is i freaking hate that full gothic plate armor is mechanically the same as a naked guy.

Most of the heavier armors do have minor damage reduction values with the highest being 3 vs all damage, 6 if you've got heavy armor master vs physical damage.