The Acaeum Dungeons & Dragons
Collecting Forums

The Acaeum Forums  •   Collecting General
Touch AC
Post new topic Reply to topic Page 1 of 1
Author

User avatar
Deadlord
Grandstanding Collector

Posts: 5885
Joined: Jun 30, 2003
Last Visit: Jul 31, 2026
Location: Cow Hampshire, US

Post Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:29 pm 
 

Easy question: Do you guys count a shield towards Touch AC?


If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.
  

User avatar
dbartman
Sage Collector
Valuation Board

Posts: 2867
Joined: Nov 16, 2002
Last Visit: Aug 05, 2026
Location: Ohio, The land without sun

Post Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2020 9:42 pm 
 

It depends on whether you consider anything connected to you to count from a touch standpoint.  The general consensus is that a shield would not prevent a touch attack.  Only Dexterity bonuses and dexterity enhancing magic items would be allowed typically because they allow you to dodge the touch.  Everything else is essentially armor, including bracers and natural armor.  A monk could be the only exception because of their ability to dodge attacks to avoid damage.
  

User avatar
Deadlord
Grandstanding Collector

Posts: 5885
Joined: Jun 30, 2003
Last Visit: Jul 31, 2026
Location: Cow Hampshire, US

Post Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 3:16 am 
 

I thought the same, then I started thinking about magical armor/shields. A magical sword usually guides your attacks a little (in most games), so wouldn't magical armor/shield say "Oh shit, there's the Hand of Evisceration, better not let it touch me"? If you're wearing +4 splint mail, it isn't adding 20% to your AC because it is crazy hard, so it stands to reason that the bonus comes thru the armor shearing off enemy blows. And if the bonus counts, the shield itself should. The bonus is smart enough to ward off attacks, so it would "move" the shield for the wielder.
Then we get to rings/cloaks of protection. Some DMs say they are invisible armor; others say they deflect blows. So the latter would count towards touch AC. A Shield spell would obviously count.


If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.
  

User avatar
Sir Kill Alot
Verbose Collector
Acaeum Donor
Valuation Board

Posts: 1238
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Last Visit: Jul 20, 2026

Post Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:47 am 
 

Deadlord wrote in Touch AC:A Shield spell would obviously count.


Right, however depending on the type of attack.   Stoneskin does not affect touch either if I remember correctly.

-SKA
  

grodog
Grandstanding Collector

Posts: 5923
Joined: Nov 16, 2002
Last Visit: Jul 31, 2026
Location: Wichita, KS, USA

Post Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 11:37 pm 
 

There is no such thing as a touch AC in AD&D, so I would definitely still count the shield---unless perhaps it was a shocking grasp attack vs. a metal shield! ;)

Allan.


Allan Grohe (grodog@gmail.com)
Greyhawk, grodog Style

Editor and Project Manager, Black Blade Publishing
https://www.facebook.com/BlackBladePublishing/
 WWW  

User avatar
Deadlord
Grandstanding Collector

Posts: 5885
Joined: Jun 30, 2003
Last Visit: Jul 31, 2026
Location: Cow Hampshire, US

Post Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 6:12 am 
 

Good point, Gro. That's how I'll rule then. I actually allow a shield to be used against any attack that it could counter, and step up the bonus based on size (1/2/3 for small/medium/large). I still spar regularly and the idea of a shield adding ONE point to AC to me seems ludicrous. A skilled shield wielder is a defensive juggernaut. However, I cut the exhaustion time by 1/3 for a small and 1/2 for a medium/large.


If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.
  

User avatar
Invincible Overlord
Verbose Collector
JG Valuation Board
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 1624
Joined: Aug 19, 2008
Last Visit: Aug 21, 2023
Location: Chicago, IL

Post Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2020 2:19 pm 
 

grodog wrote in Touch AC:There is no such thing as a touch AC in AD&D, so I would definitely still count the shield---unless perhaps it was a shocking grasp attack vs. a metal shield! ;)

Allan.



Bah!

If you get hit with a Ray of Enfeeblement, [if I hit your shield] I'm going to hit you with the spell. Shield don't (usually) block spells...


RPG’s, D&D in particular has had a major influence in my life. It’s bonded me together with life long friends...it’s that bond in life not just as friends, but in our jokes, our mannerisms, and what we find funny. Invincible Overlord
 ICQ  
Post new topic Reply to topic The Acaeum Forums  •   Collecting General Page 1 of 1