SRD:Tower Shield

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Tower Shield [Shield]

Maximum Dex Bonus: +2 Armor Check Penalty: −10 Arcane Spell Failure Chance: 50% Hardness: 5
Size	Cost	Shield Bonus	Weight	Hit Points
Fine	15 gp	+4	4-1/2 lb.	1
Diminutive	15 gp	+4	4-1/2 lb.	2
Tiny	15 gp	+4	4-1/2 lb.	5
Small	30 gp	+4	22-1/2 lb.	10
Medium	30 gp	+4	45 lb.	20
Large	60 gp	+4	90 lb.	40
Huge	120 gp	+4	225 lb.	80
Gargantuan	240 gp	+4	360 lb.	160
Colossal	480 gp	+4	540 lb.	320

Description

This massive wooden shield is nearly as tall as you are. In most situations, it provides the indicated shield bonus to your AC. However, you can instead use it as total cover, though you must give up your attacks to do so. 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.

Enhancements

These are the prices for this item when made with specific materials or enhancements.

Tower Shield Material Enhancements

Material	Cost1	Hardness	Hit Points	Special
Wood	180 gp	5	20	—
Adamantine	n/a	n/a	n/a	—
Crystal, Deep	1,030 gp	10	60	No rusting
Crystal, Mundane	180 gp	8	50	No rusting
Darkwood	630 gp	5	20	Half weight, reduced armor check penalty (2; min 0)
Dragonhide	n/a	n/a	n/a	—
Mithral	n/a	n/a	n/a	—
The given costs include the masterwork component. The armor check penalties for masterwork armor and shields are lessened by 1, except darkwood. The armor check penalties for darkwood shields are reduced by 2.

Magical/Psionic Armor and Shield Enhancements

Bonus Value	Additional Cost	Hardness Increase1	Additional hp1
+1	+1,000 gp	+2	+10
+2	+4,000 gp	+4	+20
+3	+9,000 gp	+6	+30
+4	+16,000 gp	+8	+40
+5	+25,000 gp	+10	+50
+6	+36,000 gp2	+12	+60
+7	+49,000 gp2	+14	+70
+8	+64,000 gp2	+16	+80
+9	+81,000 gp2	+18	+90
+10	+100,000 gp2	+20	+100
+11 or more	+ bonus squared × 10,000 gp	+ enhancement bonus × 2	+ enhancement bonus × 10
Unlike the additional cost, the increase to the armor or shield's hardness and hit points are only gained from its enhancement bonus, not its special abilities. If the armor or shield has a magical bonus greater than +5 or a special ability worth more than +5, then it's epic. Multiply magic cost by 10.

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See Also

• Armor Qualities
• Magic Armor
• Wikipedia: Shield
• Wikipedia: Clipeus
• Wikipedia: Pavise

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