Shields

Pictured here: 1) buckler, 2) light wooden shield, 3) light steel shield (with spikes), 4) heavy wooden shield, 5) heavy steel shield, and 6) tower shield.

Shields are a relatively uncommon sight in the Empire, finding relatively little use outside of the Legion.  That being said, some adventurers prefer the improved defensive options that shield offer, as opposed to the versatility of spellcasting, the raw power of a two-handed weapon, or the acrobatic prowess of unarmed fighting.

BUCKLER
Shield Bonus: +1
Maximum Dexterity Bonus: —
Armor Check Penalty: -1
Spell Failure: 5%
Description: 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 (or 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 lose the buckler’s AC bonus until your next turn. You can cast a spell with somatic components using your shield arm, but you lose the buckler’s AC bonus until your next turn. You cannot make a shield bash with a buckler.
Cost: 5 gp
Weight: 5 lbs

LIGHT STEEL SHIELD
Shield Bonus: +1
Maximum Dexterity Bonus: —
Armor Check Penalty: -1
Spell Failure: 5%
Description: You strap a light steel shield to your forearm and grip a cord or handle affixed to the back with your hand. A light steel shield’s weight lets you carry other items in that hand, although you cannot use weapons with it. Whether wooden or steel, a light shield offers the same basic protection and attack benefits, though the two varieties respond differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a light wooden shield, but not a light steel shield.
   You can bash an opponent with a light shield. Used this way, a light shield is a light martial bludgeoning weapon. If you use your shield as a weapon, you lose its AC bonus until your next turn. An enhancement bonus on a shield does not improve the effectiveness of a shield bash made with it, but the shield can be made into a magic weapon in its own right.
Cost: 9 gp
Weight: 6 lbs

LIGHT WOODEN SHIELD
Shield Bonus: +1
Maximum Dexterity Bonus: —
Armor Check Penalty: -1
Spell Failure: 5%
Description: A light wooden shield is essentially the same as a light steel shield, except it responds differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a light wooden shield, but not a light steel shield.
Cost: 3 gp
Weight: 5 lbs

HEAVY STEEL SHIELD
Shield Bonus: +2
Maximum Dexterity Bonus: —
Armor Check Penalty: -2
Spell Failure: 15%
Description: You strap a heavy steel shield to your forearm and grip a cord or handle affixed to the back with your hand. A heavy steel shield is so heavy that you can’t use your shield hand for anything else. Whether wooden or steel, a heavy shield offers the same basic protection and attack benefits, though the two versions respond differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a heavy wooden shield, but not a heavy steel shield.
   You can bash an opponent with a heavy shield. Used this way, a heavy shield is a one-handed martial bludgeoning weapon. If you use your shield as a weapon, you lose its AC bonus until your next turn. An enhancement bonus on a shield does not improve the effectiveness of a shield bash made with it, but the shield can be made into a magic weapon in its own right.
Cost: 20 gp
Weight: 15 lbs

HEAVY WOODEN SHIELD
Shield Bonus: +2
Maximum Dexterity Bonus: —
Armor Check Penalty: -2
Spell Failure: 15%
Description: A heavy wooden shield is essentially the same as a heavy steel shield, except that it responds differently to some spells and effects (such as rusting grasp). A druid can use a heavy wooden shield, but not a heavy steel shield.
Cost: 7 gp
Weight: 10 lbs

TOWER SHIELD
Shield Bonus: +4
Maximum Dexterity Bonus: +2
Armor Check Penalty: -10
Spell Failure: 50%
Description: This massive wooden shield is nearly as tall as its user. In most situations, it provides the indicated shield bonus to your AC. As a standard action, however, you can use a tower shield to grant you total cover until the beginning of your next turn. When using a tower shield in this way, you must choose one edge of your space. That edge is treated as a solid wall for attacks targeting you only. You gain total cover for attacks that pass through this edge and no cover for attacks that do not pass through this edge. The shield does not, however, provide cover against targeted spells; a spellcaster can cast a spell on you by targeting the shield you are holding. You cannot bash with a tower shield, nor can you use your shield hand for anything else.
   When employing a tower shield in combat, you take a –2 penalty on attack rolls because of the shield’s encumbrance.
Cost: 30 gp
Weight: 45 lbs