I searched but can't find a discussion of the Shield Fumble Die effect.
My thought is that once a character's fumble die from Armor is higher than 1d8, the shield ceases to have any negative effect. Thus, a lightly armored character is penalized MORE for carrying a shield than a heavily armored character, which just seems odd.
I've decided that instead, I'm going to try using "+1d" for the fumble penalty for using a shield.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
PS: Oh, and I'll waive this for Dwarves
Shield Fumble Die
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Re: Shield Fumble Die
Another interpretation is that using a shield (alone) means you have a d8 Fumble Die. As spelled out on page 79, carrying a shield as your only armor is considered "light" armor, and uses the same fumble die as other light armor types.
If you're wearing whatever kind of armor with a shield, you use the higher of the two dice. The "heavier" of the armor types is determining the fumble die, you're not intended to add them together.
A possibly fun alternate idea that just popped into my head: if a character has a shield, roll the d8 and the die for the armor type. Choose the worst result. Maybe Dwarves choose the better result... Just putting that out there for the hivemind...
If you're wearing whatever kind of armor with a shield, you use the higher of the two dice. The "heavier" of the armor types is determining the fumble die, you're not intended to add them together.
A possibly fun alternate idea that just popped into my head: if a character has a shield, roll the d8 and the die for the armor type. Choose the worst result. Maybe Dwarves choose the better result... Just putting that out there for the hivemind...
...
Gnome Boy • DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.
Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
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Gnome Boy • DCC playtester @ DDC 35 Feb '11. • Beta DL 2111, 7AM PT, 8 June 11.
Playing RPGs since '77 • Quasi-occasional member of the Legion of 8th-Level Fighters.
Link: Here Be 100+ DCC Monsters
bygrinstow.com - The Home of Inner Ham
Re: Shield Fumble Die
This is a bit different from RAW, but I have always run the fumble die as being tied to Armor Class rather than specific pieces of armor. This can make it easier when PCs are wearing fancy armor from a module that doesn't fit onto the equipment table.
For example:
AC 0-10 = 1d4
AC 11-13 = 1d8
AC 14-15 = 1d12
AC 16+ = 1d16
This of course does seem to negate the difference between Studded Leather and Hide which have the same AC but a different fumble die, but generally it makes having a shield, or having other pieces of armor not covered by the book (helms, bracers, etc. found in certain modules) easier to integrate with the whole fumble system.
For example:
AC 0-10 = 1d4
AC 11-13 = 1d8
AC 14-15 = 1d12
AC 16+ = 1d16
This of course does seem to negate the difference between Studded Leather and Hide which have the same AC but a different fumble die, but generally it makes having a shield, or having other pieces of armor not covered by the book (helms, bracers, etc. found in certain modules) easier to integrate with the whole fumble system.