To get a mix of damage and defense through RAW: Play a Fighter with the Two Weapon Fighting Style. Take the "Tavern Brawler" feat. This allows turn shields into weapons (still only d4s, but legal weapons). Then take the Dual Wielder Feat. This gives a +1 AC when wielding weapons (which tavern brawler has turned your shields into), allows you to wield non-light weapons. I am sure shields are not light or finesse weapons. If playing a variant human, by fifth level you'll have 3 attacks (atk, atk, bonus atk) of 1d4+Str each per-round and your shields bonus to AC. It should also be noted that two shields provide "Cover" bonus. Further increasing your AC, especially if a moving creature provides an AC bonus, then a more steady shield should (PHB 196). Its up to the DM to decide how much cover two shields provides. Since a single shield is equal to half-cover already, I would say three-quarters cover when using two shields (but this is strictly my opinion). If you really want to milk this build. Take the Shield Bash Feat (PHB), the Crusher feat (TCoE), and the fighting Style Feat: Defense (TCoE). Non-RAW, if you can convince your DM to allow you to get enchanted shields to deal magical/elemental damage and/or spiked shields. You might be able to knock the damage up to something reasonable. Just my thoughts. Thanks for the video.
I haven’t tried this in 5e, but I did in 2nd edition. I had a dwarf cleric that was awful in combat, but once, when trapped in a hallway with orcs or maybe goblins at the far end I tried it. They had a barricade with flaming ballistas and just nailed our “tank.” With no other viable option, I stowed my hammer and grabbed his shield. Made a wall with both kind of interlocked and got us down the hallway close enough so my party could climb over me and murder-hobo the bad guys. I think that was the only time I did something like that, but it might have worked several times. Just one of many memorable moments of my favorite character.
My second campaign ever, one of the players was a dual shield user. They didn't do much so I didn't get to see how the build actually worked and it was a club at my university so the campaign ended after the year. I wish I could have seen it better then.
Hello Skullsplitter Dice, I have a solution for you. Shields give you a +2 to AC because they provide half cover. Oversized exist in 5e back in the day it was called Giant kin. Oversized shield would provide a +5 AC because it's now two-thirds cover. To use oversized you have to have a strength score of 18 or higher. Not only do you get a better AC, but you now have a free hand. Thanks for the video you have a wonderful day!
I actually did make a character like this once though there was a lot of homebrewing taking place. Firstly as far a race goes I was already playing a homebrew Ogre race which was being play tested as we where playing, for the "dual shields" it was flavoured as a temple door from a destroyed temple (the character was a paladin) to gain vengeance for the destruction of the temple. Mechanically the DM and I worked out that he could wield them as either dual gauntlet type weapons or one large shield weapon, when in dual mode they only provided +1AC and dealt 2d6 damage which is pretty respectable at earlier levels especially, when in large shield mode it provided a +2 to AC but only 2d4 damage (the reason if being 2dies instead of one is due to the giant weapon rules already in place, the door was a giant weapon that only a large character could wield efficiently which the ogre race was). The character stayed with this weapon throughout the campaign which got better by adding magic coating in adamantane etc. So basically the only way I made it work is cause me and the DM worked together to make it work and have it be balanced. Edit: Now that I'm thinking about it I guess it possible to make it work rules as written if the DM lets you use giant weapons which do double the damage die of the weapon, so with the shield master feat it would be 2d4 instead of 1d4. The downside being that any creature whose size is smaller the the size it was made for has to role with disadvantage, but with the new runeknight subclass you can grow to large size negating this disadvantage (there is also a UA subclass for barbarians that lets you grow,to huge I believe and of course the enlarge spell which the Eldritch knight has access to I believe).
If we pick thri-kreen we can at least also wield normal light weapons and in addition to shield master adding tavern brawler is essential I think. Since only tavern brawler makes you proficient with improvised weapons, the only way you can attack with a shield is as an improvised weapon and attacking with a weapon that you are not proficient in has disadvantage. Using paladin does sound like a good idea (since the smites can make up for the lower damage die) and adding barbarian for reckless attack to crit fish for your smite. Ancestral guardian fits the defensive theme and you can flavor the spirits as the rest of your swarm.
I like the idea that you have this dual shielder character. You play him super aggressively and hopefully they die. Then his twin brother shows up and he's all about 2 swords. Maybe there's ANOTHER twin brother out there who preferse sword & board. Another that uses 2 wands. They all think each other are idiots for their own personal preferences.
Saw this and reminded me of some fun we had a LONggg time ago. We got the idea from the 80's comic "Cerebus the Aardvark." Wish I could recall the exact one, hazy 35+ year memories. Well Cerebus got tired of getting hit and experimented with two shields. This was ok, though during the trials he noticed how chain mail bikini clad maidens had magic armor that stopped every arrow, axe and sword blow. Well thinking outside the turtle shell, the lasses were lighter, good looking and magical.. So he strapped one to each arm and waded into battle an unstoppable juggernaut. Glory to 80's comics and tabletop goodness. -This knocked a bit of the ole nostalgic rust bucket. TYVM
Maybe you can see if your DM would be ok having duel shields count as Half or even 3/4 cover, with some restrictions of course, like only allow the bonus if you you don’t use your action this turn. There are some things you can add to make this more viable. Some food feats to use are Tavern Brawler, crusher to push after a hit, and War Caster so you can use spells. Classes like: The Battle Master for it’s maneuvers, like Commander Strike, Goading Attack, and Riposte. Hexblade to add to damage with Hexblade’a Cure. As well and Ranger so you can hit with automatic damage, like the Hunter’s extra 1d8 in one a turn.
A friend and myself, both of us DM we came up with a fighter subclass of this. It does have some fun parts and has not been fully play tested to higher levels. Will be uploading it to DnD beyond in a day or two. Gave abilities that help shield allies. Protect them from death.
I'm perpetual DM. I'd absolutely allow it, AND I'd stack the AC bonuses, let them use their bonus action for offhand shield attack, and apply any +1/+2/+3 magical bonus to the attack roll. I allow Shield Bashing as a BA for anyone proficient in their use; does 1dmg and the target makes a Str save or is knocked back 5ft, 10ft on a failure of 5 or more. The reason I started doing this is there are a lot of classes that really can't do much with a Bonus Action, and it started as a way to let a Paladin in a campaign I was running do a bit more as he was just having to let his BA go most turns, and I don't think that's fun for anyone. The Rule of Cool trumps the Core Rules in my games 99% of the time. Nobody has fun with a Rules Lawyer DM, except for maybe Rules Lawyer players. The guys who play my games are... not rules lawyers at all lol and are constantly trying shenanigans. I have one that likes to try to convince Orcs he's "dungeon inspection" and things like that all the time, he's ridiculous. So I don't mind dealing with player silliness, I enjoy actually homebrewing new rules and such, and I'll try my best to make any character concept work that doesn't break the game by being OP.
My DM allowed me to do a SLIGHT backstep and bring up the 3/3.5e buckler up to 5e. It gives only a 1AC bonus, but since it is strapped to the arm (as opposed to handheld with a forearm strap like most shields) I can use it to gain EITHER the +1 to AC (still not stackable) or a +1 to DMG. The concept works great for my character (Bugbear Psi Warrior 4) as my reach is slightly further than other characters normally, as well as the other racial bonuses Bubears receive.
While it's not as pure as the true two-shielder, the best way I've found was to use a dagger flavored as a spiked buckler alongside a regular shield and use the Defensive Duelist feat to represent blocking with it when something gets past your main, large shield.
I think the best way is to be a human fighter for level 1 Shield Master, take Defence fighting style, at level 3 become Rune Knight, this will give the charactert some nice diverse options outside of combat, as well as incredibly awesome Giant's Might, which first will make your shield into an actual weapon for at least one attack per round, give you a reroll for Athletics checks you'll use to shove enemies with bonus action from Shield Master. Then you can pick Tavern Brawler and other feats like Sentinel, Tough, Skill Expert in Athletics, Crusher. Later levels of Rune Knight will provide you damage resistance and support abilities, if you pick up Animated Shield you can even put your awesome Athletics to use by grappling. I'd play that character.
I think it would be fun to play a lizardfolk with the spiked shield as your melee weapon, and some kind of other shield as your "armor" that you wear on your back. That way your character kinda looks like a tortle, and you'd also look like a Dark Souls character by carrying multiple preposterously huge items at the same time. Or you could just do the same thing with a tortle and make it even more ridiculous by having a creature who wears a shield over his shell which already acts as natural armor. I played as a tortle samurai in a campaign for a while, and I miss that character quite a bit. His name was Kuruzura. Turtle power! 🐢 Edit: obviously the tortle should wear the shield on their belly to act as a second shell, so they're fully protected 🤣🤣
I found really cool art for a kobold using cast iron skillets as shields with the handle sticking forward from the fist. My Dm said I could play him in our next campaign and they would rule them as " +1 ac improvised shields with a 1d6 damage die" essentially making them improvised lantern shields by sharpening the handles into "spikes". Pretty cool way to do it I thought since they said they would allow the two shields ac to stack effectively making them one normal shield. But you get the feel you're looking for and dual wielding damage
Animate Objects spell. Tavern Brawler feat. Maybe a Valor Bard? Assuming they're tiny objects, or even small, a bag of holding full of shields to dump out.
In 3.5 I had a dwarven fighter/ dwarven defender who bore two shields and full plate. The shields were also both razor edged and spiked for an uptick in damage.
Yes, you could "draw" both your shields with Dual Wielder and Tavern Brawler as part of your free object interaction, but unless you've got some Thief Rogue levels, it still takes an Action to Don a shield for the +2 bonus. That being said, there are several magic shields that only require you to hold them rather than wear or don them in order to benefit from their magical effect.
I'm presently playing a dual shield wielding Peace Domain Evil Cleric, Took an oath of no weapons to get Dual Wielding Shield Master, Character is all about casting Bonds and being unhittable 5' from the enemy while taking the Help action to give my Warding Bond partner advantage. If I can get my hands on STR magic, like a giant's belt, I'll lay into the shield bashing 100%.. put them prone for the three friggin Rogues in this party :D
Tortle Monk isn't happy I snagged the Gauntlets of Ogre Power tonight, but he likes my Warding Bond and getting healed, so.. it is an "evil" campaign after all ;D
Make a Loxodon triple shielder. Animated shield using the trunk (when not in combat), arrow catcher in the left hand and a spellguard shield in the right.
I thought of this. What do you think? Homebrew Fighting Style: Shield Combatant You have mastered the skill of using shields both for protective and offensive purposes. You gain the following benefits: - You are proficient with shields. - Shields you are wielding count as martial weapons for you. - If you are wielding a shield in one hand, but no more weapons in another hand, your AC increases by 1. - You can make melee attacks with a shield you are wielding. The attack deals Bludgeoning damage equal 1d6 + your strength modifier on hit. If you are not wielding any other weapon, the damage increases to 1d8.
So variant Human, tavern brawler. 2 levels of rogue. You get advantage on dex saves and cunning action. 2 levels fighter gives you shield and dual weapons, action surge and you can wield 2 shields. And then go artificer armorer, this allows you to still keep your stealth dual weapons and at 8 level you take shield master. Plus you can take repulsive shield and put a plus to AC on the other shield. And you now can make all your own shields and armor and do not take negatives to stealth. And this is totally as written in the rules. Buckler shield is considered light, and with the DM's approval you might be allowed to give one of Shields a plus 1 for weapon attacks also. Plus wearing the arcane armor you do not need any other focus, your armor is the focus, for spells. Plus anything you use as an infusion is also a focus. Also a Buckler shield straps to your arm and leaves your hand free or you can hold it in your hand and have a strap attached to your wrist so if you let go it hangs down. One full sized shield and one Buckler and if want you can at level 12 take slasher and do slash damage with the shield also. Or go Rogue 2 and Rune Knight the rest of the way you now have ideas. Go bugbear Rune Knight all the way. Then take dual wielder and at 4 take tavern brawler and at 6 take shield master. This build gives you reach on your turn, advantage on strength and the runes are awesome and easy to use, then at 8 take fighting initiate and Take another style like protector or interceptor, or take the crusher feat. You have many options and opportunities. Your build your way but just remember it's not optimized for damage that is not the reason for this build but with the artificer you have magic and Cantrips that can help.
i'd like to bring up having an Artificer with the Repulsion Shield infusement, which would not only let it become a spellcasting focus which would give reason to not carrying a weapon, it gives a strong reaction and a +3 total extra AC instead of the +2. If paired with another shield you could pick up War Caster for the no-hands and just become a fullcaster with bulk, which is still a plenty effective character with all of the same laughs of two shields. (you could also use Enhanced Defense for +2 AC at lv 10 on the other shield, but im not entirely sure it would give the bonus., but enhanced defense on your armor gives that +2 AC, and if you're an Armorer then this can be even more effective for maximum bulk while still keeping a decent spellcasting DPS.
you can have spikes added to armor or shields to increase their damage potential. an enemy attacking spiked shields (or armor) with a melee attack has to succeed a dex check or take 1d4 piercing damage. its not big but its something.
I guess if you’re dm is nice you could play an artificer with the returning weapon infusion and reflavor one of the shields as an improvised weapon for a captain america shield throw build.
My idea is a centaur with interlocking shields, they'd charge and use that to bludgeon and force the opponent to fall prone before trampling them with hooves, thinking of adding cleats to the hooves. My idea is they would be customer shields, the inner edges would interlock, the outside edge would have a sharp edge with a small dip((think pearing knife)) and she's knock you down stomp you and then cut you when you try to stand. Obviously this would be homebrew but I'm willing to change things to fit whatever the rules are. This was just a weird idea I had
So I was thinking of something. Backstory. During a siege, a young child hides behind a shield. With no weapon in hand, they ran through the battlements trying to stay alive. Somehow they survived this ordeal. As a result, they became obsessed with shields. They equip the heaviest armor and carry two shields. They also perform acrobatics and athletics. Bouncing and dancing about on the battlefield like a ballerina in plate mail, this dual shield wielder is, well a lack luster fighter. They are laughed at and underestimated. Somehow despite wielding a weapon that isn't meant for combat, they always come out on top.
Perhaps something that could make a Duel Shield wielder a bit more viable, if a DM is willing to allow it. You could take the Fighters Unarmed Fighting style and well... attack with your feet and/or head, or if DM allows, have your shields count as sort of "Unarmed" weapons like reinforced gauntlets or oversized brass knuckles. Though would likely have you use the 1d6 damage as you are quite obviously wielding a shield, or well two. Also, with the Animated Shield, I wouldn't really call that Dual Shield Wielding, more like... Triple Shield Wielding. As you have your two shields in your hands and a third floating around in front of you. Also, the idea of using the Fighters Unarmed Fighting style first came to mind as a sort of Captain America build. Though I'm not sure if there are any throwing shields in D&D 5e. I remember there being at least one in 4e and might not be to hard to port it to 5e, but still.
Another Episode of: BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense Once I told him, my DM was game. +4 AC, 1D4 simple weapons and the beer my Character needs, to be stupid and loud enough.
Yeah I was wondering about doing this and If the shield bonuses would stack, but apparently not. Here's my idea as to how it could be useful. Every party needs a tank. What better tank could there be than a double shield welding fighter. All he'd have to do is to waddle up into combat take the dodge action. Never get hit while his companions shot the stuffing out of whatever they were facing.
Until the enemies use the secret technique of just walking around you to kill your squishier allies. At a certain point, high AC makes you a really bad tank.
I went with a Chaotic Good, Tabaxi Paladin, wielding 2 shields with the advantages like night vision, the ability to use claws, move 60 feet in 1instance, speaks Abyssal, and carries 40k ball bearings. And yes, i do go collect them ball bearrings after each fight. The constance Trip Mechanic is hilarious 😂
Home brew vibranianum shields (to absorb physical damage) take arakocra and just drop out of the sky onto your enemy using your fall damage as your attack. Probably could get away with this in a fun one shot but not a real campaign
Why not add a couple of levels of Rogue to add sneak attack from the shield bash? I'm picturing a halfling in ninja garb and blackened shields sneaking around bashing foes from behind then disappearing into the shadows...
Here's an idea I came up with only to later see online that someone else had already proposed it a long while ago. Play a lizardfolk way of mercy monk with a shield on each hand. The +2 of the shiled stacks with the natural armor of the lizardfolk. Now that wouldn't allow you to carry any weapons on your hands, but the lizardfolk's unarmed attack is a bite. Meaning you can use your head for attacks instead of your limbs (literally unarmed fighting). Originally I was gonna use a different subclass, but I found out you can't use martial arts when wielding a shield. So I chose way of mercy for the extra damage at level 3.
Mad I found this topic so late. But if you look into the crafting book from the DM’s guild there are some crafting ideas to make the shields all more of a weapon. Spiked similar to lizard folk, and making it an assault shield… but if you are a cleric, forge cleric, you are basically an ambulance running with 2 shield. Heaters you can plant in the ground like it’s a med tent in battle. Put your holy symbol on your gear and run everywhere
I am thinking about making a half-dragon half-elf character. Just curious about your thoughts on how I would approach the makeup of the character? Or pitch it to a Dm to where it's not overpowering or complicated? Would I use abilities from both races.. or custom linages?
Why stop at "dual shielding"? Let's take it to 5! Wielding 2 shields, while your animated shield floats in front of you and you concentrate on shield of faith and wait to cast shield as a reaction!!! Clearly not very effective as you mentioned....but could be a funny bit of comic relief or quirky NPC with agoraphobia.
I play a Thri-kreen, the 4 armed insect folk (astral adventurer’s guide), and my DM told me to go for it, knowing these rules, but doing his own way. I’m an abjuration wizard cleric multiclass, weilding 3 shields and spells, protecting the party.
I wish to be an egg. Just root myself in the middle on the battlefield and be safe within my little shell of shields. All while buffing my teammates with Bless giving them a 1d4 to their attacks.
Maybe scofflaw would work since they can use improvised weapons and give them finesse for rogue sneak attack. Carry two shields, a +3 and a spell shield for ultimate melee tankiness
Hey how do I get in contact with you on some rly good points making the dualshieder rly strong, i myself have played 3 campaigns with it, and it only needs the dm to bend 1 rule,
A shield isn't a melee weapon. As someone who has been smacked by shields they hurt a lot one time my helmet got bent in word and a concushion also one guy got his arm broken getting bashed
Do you really want do dual shielding? Than picks a race that gave you a way to attack without the hands! Sure you could take tavern brawler feat and shield master, but a this high investment will never repay. Instead if you have some form of natural weapon like horns that you can use that will be more effective. Examples could be: -... OK there aren't good examples so go with path of the beast barbarian! You can use your tail or bite attack (on flavour i think the bite attack could be substitute with horns if you prefer). An other option could be take the unarmed fighting style, literally you are not using a weapon, so you simply use your new d6 dice to attack with your shield. Ps: the truth guys is that you shouldn't play a character like this, you are simply worst on everything point of view, there are no turn back to dual shield and if you really choose to play a garbage character like this you are simply ruining the game to yourself and to your dm, that is probably trying to do his best to run an interesting campaign and worldbuilding. So guys please, before to ask to your dm to play a troll character that is simply bad and ugly, think on this. For the dm's here I have to say to don't accept all the characters idea of your players, if someone comes to you with a gnome barbarian or a dual shielding character, simply tell them: NO. There are tons of possibilities of characters to play, and don't make them waste your time and fatigue with a poor idea like that. Pps: okay... The gnome barbarian could be fun okay? I admit, but guys I don't know, I think it depends on the setting, if is a "comedy" setting okay, do it, but if is a serious campaign don't even try to ask this character-like to your dm. 😂
To get a mix of damage and defense through RAW:
Play a Fighter with the Two Weapon Fighting Style. Take the "Tavern Brawler" feat. This allows turn shields into weapons (still only d4s, but legal weapons). Then take the Dual Wielder Feat. This gives a +1 AC when wielding weapons (which tavern brawler has turned your shields into), allows you to wield non-light weapons. I am sure shields are not light or finesse weapons.
If playing a variant human, by fifth level you'll have 3 attacks (atk, atk, bonus atk) of 1d4+Str each per-round and your shields bonus to AC. It should also be noted that two shields provide "Cover" bonus. Further increasing your AC, especially if a moving creature provides an AC bonus, then a more steady shield should (PHB 196). Its up to the DM to decide how much cover two shields provides. Since a single shield is equal to half-cover already, I would say three-quarters cover when using two shields (but this is strictly my opinion). If you really want to milk this build. Take the Shield Bash Feat (PHB), the Crusher feat (TCoE), and the fighting Style Feat: Defense (TCoE).
Non-RAW, if you can convince your DM to allow you to get enchanted shields to deal magical/elemental damage and/or spiked shields. You might be able to knock the damage up to something reasonable.
Just my thoughts. Thanks for the video.
I haven’t tried this in 5e, but I did in 2nd edition.
I had a dwarf cleric that was awful in combat, but once, when trapped in a hallway with orcs or maybe goblins at the far end I tried it.
They had a barricade with flaming ballistas and just nailed our “tank.” With no other viable option, I stowed my hammer and grabbed his shield.
Made a wall with both kind of interlocked and got us down the hallway close enough so my party could climb over me and murder-hobo the bad guys.
I think that was the only time I did something like that, but it might have worked several times.
Just one of many memorable moments of my favorite character.
My second campaign ever, one of the players was a dual shield user. They didn't do much so I didn't get to see how the build actually worked and it was a club at my university so the campaign ended after the year. I wish I could have seen it better then.
Hello Skullsplitter Dice, I have a solution for you. Shields give you a +2 to AC because they provide half cover. Oversized exist in 5e back in the day it was called Giant kin. Oversized shield would provide a +5 AC because it's now two-thirds cover. To use oversized you have to have a strength score of 18 or higher. Not only do you get a better AC, but you now have a free hand.
Thanks for the video you have a wonderful day!
Don't forget to take a level one dip into Sorcerer for the Shield spell.
You also have shield of Faith from cleric !)
@@loveforallbxlmannifdivine soul sorc for both options.
you would also need war caster to use that with no free hand unfortunately
I actually did make a character like this once though there was a lot of homebrewing taking place. Firstly as far a race goes I was already playing a homebrew Ogre race which was being play tested as we where playing, for the "dual shields" it was flavoured as a temple door from a destroyed temple (the character was a paladin) to gain vengeance for the destruction of the temple. Mechanically the DM and I worked out that he could wield them as either dual gauntlet type weapons or one large shield weapon, when in dual mode they only provided +1AC and dealt 2d6 damage which is pretty respectable at earlier levels especially, when in large shield mode it provided a +2 to AC but only 2d4 damage (the reason if being 2dies instead of one is due to the giant weapon rules already in place, the door was a giant weapon that only a large character could wield efficiently which the ogre race was). The character stayed with this weapon throughout the campaign which got better by adding magic coating in adamantane etc. So basically the only way I made it work is cause me and the DM worked together to make it work and have it be balanced.
Edit: Now that I'm thinking about it I guess it possible to make it work rules as written if the DM lets you use giant weapons which do double the damage die of the weapon, so with the shield master feat it would be 2d4 instead of 1d4. The downside being that any creature whose size is smaller the the size it was made for has to role with disadvantage, but with the new runeknight subclass you can grow to large size negating this disadvantage (there is also a UA subclass for barbarians that lets you grow,to huge I believe and of course the enlarge spell which the Eldritch knight has access to I believe).
If we pick thri-kreen we can at least also wield normal light weapons and in addition to shield master adding tavern brawler is essential I think. Since only tavern brawler makes you proficient with improvised weapons, the only way you can attack with a shield is as an improvised weapon and attacking with a weapon that you are not proficient in has disadvantage.
Using paladin does sound like a good idea (since the smites can make up for the lower damage die) and adding barbarian for reckless attack to crit fish for your smite. Ancestral guardian fits the defensive theme and you can flavor the spirits as the rest of your swarm.
I like the idea that you have this dual shielder character. You play him super aggressively and hopefully they die. Then his twin brother shows up and he's all about 2 swords. Maybe there's ANOTHER twin brother out there who preferse sword & board. Another that uses 2 wands. They all think each other are idiots for their own personal preferences.
Saw this and reminded me of some fun we had a LONggg time ago. We got the idea from the 80's comic "Cerebus the Aardvark." Wish I could recall the exact one, hazy 35+ year memories. Well Cerebus got tired of getting hit and experimented with two shields. This was ok, though during the trials he noticed how chain mail bikini clad maidens had magic armor that stopped every arrow, axe and sword blow. Well thinking outside the turtle shell, the lasses were lighter, good looking and magical.. So he strapped one to each arm and waded into battle an unstoppable juggernaut. Glory to 80's comics and tabletop goodness. -This knocked a bit of the ole nostalgic rust bucket. TYVM
Maybe you can see if your DM would be ok having duel shields count as Half or even 3/4 cover, with some restrictions of course, like only allow the bonus if you you don’t use your action this turn.
There are some things you can add to make this more viable.
Some food feats to use are Tavern Brawler, crusher to push after a hit, and War Caster so you can use spells.
Classes like: The Battle Master for it’s maneuvers, like Commander Strike, Goading Attack, and Riposte. Hexblade to add to damage with Hexblade’a Cure. As well and Ranger so you can hit with automatic damage, like the Hunter’s extra 1d8 in one a turn.
A friend and myself, both of us DM we came up with a fighter subclass of this. It does have some fun parts and has not been fully play tested to higher levels. Will be uploading it to DnD beyond in a day or two.
Gave abilities that help shield allies. Protect them from death.
I definitely want to check this out!
I'm perpetual DM. I'd absolutely allow it, AND I'd stack the AC bonuses, let them use their bonus action for offhand shield attack, and apply any +1/+2/+3 magical bonus to the attack roll.
I allow Shield Bashing as a BA for anyone proficient in their use; does 1dmg and the target makes a Str save or is knocked back 5ft, 10ft on a failure of 5 or more. The reason I started doing this is there are a lot of classes that really can't do much with a Bonus Action, and it started as a way to let a Paladin in a campaign I was running do a bit more as he was just having to let his BA go most turns, and I don't think that's fun for anyone.
The Rule of Cool trumps the Core Rules in my games 99% of the time. Nobody has fun with a Rules Lawyer DM, except for maybe Rules Lawyer players. The guys who play my games are... not rules lawyers at all lol and are constantly trying shenanigans. I have one that likes to try to convince Orcs he's "dungeon inspection" and things like that all the time, he's ridiculous. So I don't mind dealing with player silliness, I enjoy actually homebrewing new rules and such, and I'll try my best to make any character concept work that doesn't break the game by being OP.
My DM allowed me to do a SLIGHT backstep and bring up the 3/3.5e buckler up to 5e. It gives only a 1AC bonus, but since it is strapped to the arm (as opposed to handheld with a forearm strap like most shields) I can use it to gain EITHER the +1 to AC (still not stackable) or a +1 to DMG. The concept works great for my character (Bugbear Psi Warrior 4) as my reach is slightly further than other characters normally, as well as the other racial bonuses Bubears receive.
While it's not as pure as the true two-shielder, the best way I've found was to use a dagger flavored as a spiked buckler alongside a regular shield and use the Defensive Duelist feat to represent blocking with it when something gets past your main, large shield.
I think the best way is to be a human fighter for level 1 Shield Master, take Defence fighting style, at level 3 become Rune Knight, this will give the charactert some nice diverse options outside of combat, as well as incredibly awesome Giant's Might, which first will make your shield into an actual weapon for at least one attack per round, give you a reroll for Athletics checks you'll use to shove enemies with bonus action from Shield Master. Then you can pick Tavern Brawler and other feats like Sentinel, Tough, Skill Expert in Athletics, Crusher. Later levels of Rune Knight will provide you damage resistance and support abilities, if you pick up Animated Shield you can even put your awesome Athletics to use by grappling. I'd play that character.
I think it would be fun to play a lizardfolk with the spiked shield as your melee weapon, and some kind of other shield as your "armor" that you wear on your back. That way your character kinda looks like a tortle, and you'd also look like a Dark Souls character by carrying multiple preposterously huge items at the same time. Or you could just do the same thing with a tortle and make it even more ridiculous by having a creature who wears a shield over his shell which already acts as natural armor. I played as a tortle samurai in a campaign for a while, and I miss that character quite a bit. His name was Kuruzura. Turtle power! 🐢
Edit: obviously the tortle should wear the shield on their belly to act as a second shell, so they're fully protected 🤣🤣
I found really cool art for a kobold using cast iron skillets as shields with the handle sticking forward from the fist. My Dm said I could play him in our next campaign and they would rule them as " +1 ac improvised shields with a 1d6 damage die" essentially making them improvised lantern shields by sharpening the handles into "spikes". Pretty cool way to do it I thought since they said they would allow the two shields ac to stack effectively making them one normal shield. But you get the feel you're looking for and dual wielding damage
Add one level sorcerer for shield spell and the rest rouge to have sneak attack damage
Animate Objects spell. Tavern Brawler feat. Maybe a Valor Bard? Assuming they're tiny objects, or even small, a bag of holding full of shields to dump out.
In 3.5 I had a dwarven fighter/ dwarven defender who bore two shields and full plate. The shields were also both razor edged and spiked for an uptick in damage.
Artificer armorer can utilize two shields. The infiltrator model can use it's ranged weapon on it's chest allowing both hands to be free.
Yes, you could "draw" both your shields with Dual Wielder and Tavern Brawler as part of your free object interaction, but unless you've got some Thief Rogue levels, it still takes an Action to Don a shield for the +2 bonus. That being said, there are several magic shields that only require you to hold them rather than wear or don them in order to benefit from their magical effect.
I'm presently playing a dual shield wielding Peace Domain Evil Cleric, Took an oath of no weapons to get Dual Wielding Shield Master, Character is all about casting Bonds and being unhittable 5' from the enemy while taking the Help action to give my Warding Bond partner advantage. If I can get my hands on STR magic, like a giant's belt, I'll lay into the shield bashing 100%.. put them prone for the three friggin Rogues in this party :D
Tortle Monk isn't happy I snagged the Gauntlets of Ogre Power tonight, but he likes my Warding Bond and getting healed, so.. it is an "evil" campaign after all ;D
animated shield for the three shielder !!!
Make a Loxodon triple shielder. Animated shield using the trunk (when not in combat), arrow catcher in the left hand and a spellguard shield in the right.
I thought of this. What do you think?
Homebrew Fighting Style: Shield Combatant
You have mastered the skill of using shields both for protective and offensive purposes. You gain the following benefits:
- You are proficient with shields.
- Shields you are wielding count as martial weapons for you.
- If you are wielding a shield in one hand, but no more weapons in another hand, your AC increases by 1.
- You can make melee attacks with a shield you are wielding. The attack deals Bludgeoning damage equal 1d6 + your strength modifier on hit. If you are not wielding any other weapon, the damage increases to 1d8.
So variant Human, tavern brawler. 2 levels of rogue. You get advantage on dex saves and cunning action. 2 levels fighter gives you shield and dual weapons, action surge and you can wield 2 shields. And then go artificer armorer, this allows you to still keep your stealth dual weapons and at 8 level you take shield master. Plus you can take repulsive shield and put a plus to AC on the other shield. And you now can make all your own shields and armor and do not take negatives to stealth. And this is totally as written in the rules. Buckler shield is considered light, and with the DM's approval you might be allowed to give one of Shields a plus 1 for weapon attacks also. Plus wearing the arcane armor you do not need any other focus, your armor is the focus, for spells. Plus anything you use as an infusion is also a focus. Also a Buckler shield straps to your arm and leaves your hand free or you can hold it in your hand and have a strap attached to your wrist so if you let go it hangs down. One full sized shield and one Buckler and if want you can at level 12 take slasher and do slash damage with the shield also.
Or go Rogue 2 and Rune Knight the rest of the way you now have ideas.
Go bugbear Rune Knight all the way. Then take dual wielder and at 4 take tavern brawler and at 6 take shield master. This build gives you reach on your turn, advantage on strength and the runes are awesome and easy to use, then at 8 take fighting initiate and Take another style like protector or interceptor, or take the crusher feat.
You have many options and opportunities. Your build your way but just remember it's not optimized for damage that is not the reason for this build but with the artificer you have magic and Cantrips that can help.
i'd like to bring up having an Artificer with the Repulsion Shield infusement, which would not only let it become a spellcasting focus which would give reason to not carrying a weapon, it gives a strong reaction and a +3 total extra AC instead of the +2. If paired with another shield you could pick up War Caster for the no-hands and just become a fullcaster with bulk, which is still a plenty effective character with all of the same laughs of two shields. (you could also use Enhanced Defense for +2 AC at lv 10 on the other shield, but im not entirely sure it would give the bonus., but enhanced defense on your armor gives that +2 AC, and if you're an Armorer then this can be even more effective for maximum bulk while still keeping a decent spellcasting DPS.
you can have spikes added to armor or shields to increase their damage potential. an enemy attacking spiked shields (or armor) with a melee attack has to succeed a dex check or take 1d4 piercing damage. its not big but its something.
I guess if you’re dm is nice you could play an artificer with the returning weapon infusion and reflavor one of the shields as an improvised weapon for a captain america shield throw build.
Boomerang shield magical item
My idea is a centaur with interlocking shields, they'd charge and use that to bludgeon and force the opponent to fall prone before trampling them with hooves, thinking of adding cleats to the hooves.
My idea is they would be customer shields, the inner edges would interlock, the outside edge would have a sharp edge with a small dip((think pearing knife)) and she's knock you down stomp you and then cut you when you try to stand. Obviously this would be homebrew but I'm willing to change things to fit whatever the rules are. This was just a weird idea I had
Yoooooo this idea absolutely rules and I definitely want to try this out at my own table.
@@pfergee I'm honored
So I was thinking of something. Backstory. During a siege, a young child hides behind a shield. With no weapon in hand, they ran through the battlements trying to stay alive. Somehow they survived this ordeal. As a result, they became obsessed with shields. They equip the heaviest armor and carry two shields. They also perform acrobatics and athletics. Bouncing and dancing about on the battlefield like a ballerina in plate mail, this dual shield wielder is, well a lack luster fighter. They are laughed at and underestimated. Somehow despite wielding a weapon that isn't meant for combat, they always come out on top.
Perhaps something that could make a Duel Shield wielder a bit more viable, if a DM is willing to allow it. You could take the Fighters Unarmed Fighting style and well... attack with your feet and/or head, or if DM allows, have your shields count as sort of "Unarmed" weapons like reinforced gauntlets or oversized brass knuckles. Though would likely have you use the 1d6 damage as you are quite obviously wielding a shield, or well two. Also, with the Animated Shield, I wouldn't really call that Dual Shield Wielding, more like... Triple Shield Wielding. As you have your two shields in your hands and a third floating around in front of you.
Also, the idea of using the Fighters Unarmed Fighting style first came to mind as a sort of Captain America build. Though I'm not sure if there are any throwing shields in D&D 5e. I remember there being at least one in 4e and might not be to hard to port it to 5e, but still.
Another Episode of:
BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense
Once I told him, my DM was game.
+4 AC, 1D4 simple weapons and the beer my Character needs, to be stupid and loud enough.
Yeah I was wondering about doing this and If the shield bonuses would stack, but apparently not. Here's my idea as to how it could be useful. Every party needs a tank. What better tank could there be than a double shield welding fighter. All he'd have to do is to waddle up into combat take the dodge action. Never get hit while his companions shot the stuffing out of whatever they were facing.
Until the enemies use the secret technique of just walking around you to kill your squishier allies. At a certain point, high AC makes you a really bad tank.
Love the idea.
Perhaps some fuckery could be done with the pact of the blade warlock using a shield as your pact weapon. Also the crusher feat could be useful.
That is a very interesting idea. We like it!
I went with a Chaotic Good, Tabaxi Paladin, wielding 2 shields with the advantages like night vision, the ability to use claws, move 60 feet in 1instance, speaks Abyssal, and carries 40k ball bearings. And yes, i do go collect them ball bearrings after each fight. The constance Trip Mechanic is hilarious 😂
Well, at least an attempt was made.
Why Not Use 2 Dwarfven
Spiked Shields, With The
Tortle Race ???
I can use this.
Home brew vibranianum shields (to absorb physical damage) take arakocra and just drop out of the sky onto your enemy using your fall damage as your attack. Probably could get away with this in a fun one shot but not a real campaign
Why not add a couple of levels of Rogue to add sneak attack from the shield bash? I'm picturing a halfling in ninja garb and blackened shields sneaking around bashing foes from behind then disappearing into the shadows...
i wish dual sheilding was a thing
The Iron giant poster in the back ground has a date of Aug 6th. The Iron Giant released July 31st 1999!!! I need answers!!!!
Apparently the movie premiered in LA on July 31st, and opened in theaters nationwide (US) on August 6th.
Entertaining!
Here's an idea I came up with only to later see online that someone else had already proposed it a long while ago. Play a lizardfolk way of mercy monk with a shield on each hand. The +2 of the shiled stacks with the natural armor of the lizardfolk. Now that wouldn't allow you to carry any weapons on your hands, but the lizardfolk's unarmed attack is a bite. Meaning you can use your head for attacks instead of your limbs (literally unarmed fighting). Originally I was gonna use a different subclass, but I found out you can't use martial arts when wielding a shield. So I chose way of mercy for the extra damage at level 3.
did 5th ed remove shield spikes / armor spikes? makes armor into a weapon, ready go
Capt america did it
Hellbat in StarCraft 2 did it
Gundam did it
Mad I found this topic so late. But if you look into the crafting book from the DM’s guild there are some crafting ideas to make the shields all more of a weapon. Spiked similar to lizard folk, and making it an assault shield… but if you are a cleric, forge cleric, you are basically an ambulance running with 2 shield. Heaters you can plant in the ground like it’s a med tent in battle. Put your holy symbol on your gear and run everywhere
I am thinking about making a half-dragon half-elf character. Just curious about your thoughts on how I would approach the makeup of the character? Or pitch it to a Dm to where it's not overpowering or complicated? Would I use abilities from both races.. or custom linages?
yes Yes YES... My 1st Character dual shield. thank you so much. I could talk you ear off but thank you :)
You’re welcome 😊
Why stop at "dual shielding"? Let's take it to 5! Wielding 2 shields, while your animated shield floats in front of you and you concentrate on shield of faith and wait to cast shield as a reaction!!! Clearly not very effective as you mentioned....but could be a funny bit of comic relief or quirky NPC with agoraphobia.
Pasivis cleric
I play a Thri-kreen, the 4 armed insect folk (astral adventurer’s guide), and my DM told me to go for it, knowing these rules, but doing his own way. I’m an abjuration wizard cleric multiclass, weilding 3 shields and spells, protecting the party.
I wish to be an egg. Just root myself in the middle on the battlefield and be safe within my little shell of shields. All while buffing my teammates with Bless giving them a 1d4 to their attacks.
Maybe scofflaw would work since they can use improvised weapons and give them finesse for rogue sneak attack. Carry two shields, a +3 and a spell shield for ultimate melee tankiness
Hey how do I get in contact with you on some rly good points making the dualshieder rly strong, i myself have played 3 campaigns with it, and it only needs the dm to bend 1 rule,
Would you allow to use a warhammer and just role play it as if it was a shield?
1d8 b dmg and you got your cool double shield flavor
Honestly seems like the easiest and fairest strategy.
That's me, mainly for defense and my dm is giving me 2 magical shields that can grow in size and shrink back to normal
People who think shields cant be used as melee weapons have never taken the edge of a foam shield to the face in a larp
Dual wield, tavern brawler, shield master. With these 3 feats playing as a multiclassed barbarian fighter I think it can work 🤷🏻♂️.
A shield isn't a melee weapon.
As someone who has been smacked by shields they hurt a lot one time my helmet got bent in word and a concushion also one guy got his arm broken getting bashed
Do you really want do dual shielding? Than picks a race that gave you a way to attack without the hands! Sure you could take tavern brawler feat and shield master, but a this high investment will never repay.
Instead if you have some form of natural weapon like horns that you can use that will be more effective.
Examples could be:
-...
OK there aren't good examples so go with path of the beast barbarian! You can use your tail or bite attack (on flavour i think the bite attack could be substitute with horns if you prefer).
An other option could be take the unarmed fighting style, literally you are not using a weapon, so you simply use your new d6 dice to attack with your shield.
Ps: the truth guys is that you shouldn't play a character like this, you are simply worst on everything point of view, there are no turn back to dual shield and if you really choose to play a garbage character like this you are simply ruining the game to yourself and to your dm, that is probably trying to do his best to run an interesting campaign and worldbuilding.
So guys please, before to ask to your dm to play a troll character that is simply bad and ugly, think on this.
For the dm's here I have to say to don't accept all the characters idea of your players, if someone comes to you with a gnome barbarian or a dual shielding character, simply tell them: NO.
There are tons of possibilities of characters to play, and don't make them waste your time and fatigue with a poor idea like that.
Pps: okay... The gnome barbarian could be fun okay? I admit, but guys I don't know, I think it depends on the setting, if is a "comedy" setting okay, do it, but if is a serious campaign don't even try to ask this character-like to your dm. 😂
No, not really :)