It’s been almost a decade since the launch ofDungeons & DragonsFifth Edition, the latest version of Wizards of the Coast’s legendary tabletop RPG. Tabletop gaming has experienced a renaissance over that time, with a surge in popularity driven by accessible rules and popular RPG podcasts like Critical Role. There’s never been a better time to get intoDungeons & Dragons, and it all starts with building a character.
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There’s a huge variety ofcharacter creation options inD&D5E, from the bizarre to the classic. It’s hard to get more classic than a shield-wielding frontline warrior, or sword and board as it’s often known. Shields require proficiency to use, but offer players increased defense to keep them safe in the heart of combat. Creating a basic Shield-wielding character is easy to do, but players who focus on the style can get much more out of it.
The Best Shield Classes in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
Unlikeprevious versions ofDungeons & Dragons, there is only one type of Shield in Fifth Edition, though enchanted versions do exist. The basic Shieldcosts 10gp, weighs 6lbs, and grants any creature that wields it with Proficiency a +2 bonus to Armor Class.Most of the martial-orientated classes in Fifth Edition start with Shield Proficiency, but it can also be granted through subclasses or the Moderately Armored Feat. Here are all the ways players can gain shield proficiency:
Not every class with Shield Proficiency gets the same advantages. For example, some start with a Shield, while others will need to acquire one on their own. In addition, the Fighter and Paladin classes have access to the Protection Fighting Style, which grants Shield-users the ability to intercept attacks aimed at nearby allies. Other classes can also pick up this Fighting Style through the Fighting Initiate Feat fromTasha’s Cauldron of Everything.
How to Use Shields in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
The +2 bonus to AC that a Shield grants is a powerful bonus for characters who are planning to fight on the frontlines. WithDungeons & Dragons’D20system, a +2 means that all attacks against that character’s AC are10% less likely to hit, a bonus that remains constant from level 1 to level 20. That’s the same as the difference between Chainmail and Platemail, or between a character with 10 Dexterity and one with 14.
The downside of using a Shield is that it robs players of the ability to use two-handed weapons, which are generally more powerful. In addition, spellcasting characters often need a free hand to perform Somatic (gesture-based) components. The exception to this is Paladins and Clerics, who can use a holy symbol on their Shield as a spellcasting Focus, or any character with the War Caster Feat, which allows players to ignore the restriction completely.
The Shield Master Feat in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
Beyond War Caster, there’s only oneFeat inDungeons & Dragons5Ethat is specifically designed for Shield users. TheShield Master Featgrants a range of useful bonuses, starting by allowing players to add their+2 bonus to their Dexterity Saving Throwsas well. In addition, a character with Shield Masterwon’t take any damage on a succesful Dex Save to take half damage from a spell.
The Feat also grants players the ability toShove with their Shield as a Bonus Actionafter attacking, knocking an enemy prone or 5ft back. Before5E principal designer Jeremy Crawford’s clarification on Twitter in 2018, it was assumed by many players that the Bonus Action could come before certain attacks, making it a powerful tool for granting Advantage. However, after the clarification it’s clear that the Feat wasn’t intended to grant Advantage to its user. Nevertheless, whether a DM chooses the official ruling or the old interpretation, the Shield Master Feat remains the pinnacle Feat for any Shield-bearing character.
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