Any downside wearing a shield on a caster ?

[PenisDeTable]

My cleric and wizard never use their weapon to actually hit so it wouldnt hurt to lower it by having a shield on offhand right ? or am i missing something ?

[wendigo211]

In tabletop there are wands and staves that act like enhancement bonuses on weapons for spells (add a bonus to hit). So it might be better to give a caster one of those than one handed weapon and shield. But apart from that more AC is better, so add a shield.

[[OTS]EchoZenLogos]

I think you might need proficiency (with shields) to be able to cast spells, so that might work if you multi-class, but I'm not quite sure. Maybe give it a try.

[Mr.Hmm]

Can a wizard use a shield and not have the "unable to cast" or something problem to casting?
Clerics can use shield without problem but i am wondering if wizards/sorcerers can do the same.

[['w']]

gale is running around with a dagger and a shield, works great

[wendigo211]

Originally posted by Mr.Hmm:

Can a wizard use a shield and not have the "unable to cast" or something problem to casting?
Clerics can use shield without problem but i am wondering if wizards/sorcerers can do the same.

I think human and half-elves get shield proficiency for free with "Civil Militia."

[Bloodwest]

if you don't actually basic attack then whatever you're carrying is essentially a statstick. as long as you're proficient, you're free to carry whatever you want, pref something that makes you do your things better. it happens that many unique staves provide interesting boons to casters so that's why many casters end up carrying staff.