Reduced 'Vulnerability'

[CanuckWisdom]

Can anyone tell me for sure what exactly is meant by 'reduced vulnerability' in the changed shield mastery feats?

Small shield are 10%; I have heard this would mean there is a 10% chance to take no damage from an attack. Is this the case? Can you explain how you know?

I am interested in whether or not 10% reduced vulnerability is better than the dodge feat's 1 AC (~60ac).

[~littlerockfish]

I think what it means is that 10% of your incoming attacks are negitated like if a kobold hits you for 10 points of damage but you are blocking with a small shield you only get hit for 9

[MsEricka]

Physical damage vulnerability is decreased by 10% when using a buckler or small shield, 15% when using a large shield, or 20% when using a tower shield.

For example, if you were using a small shield and you would be hit for 100 points of damage, 10% of that damage is negated so you are hit by 90.

Next comes any DR you might have, so if you have DR 12 then you would only take 78 points of damage.

For those that are not aware, you must take the shield mastery feat to gain reduced vulnerability when using a shield. Reduced vulnerability is not automatically given just because you pick up a shield. The prerequisite for shield mastery is the shield proficiency feat.


I am interested in whether or not 10% reduced vulnerability is better than the dodge feat's 1 AC (~60ac).

Take shield mastery

[CanuckWisdom]

Cool thanks. That sounds sweet, just wish my shield was large!

[CanuckWisdom]

What about improved shield bash?

Enables the character to retain the shield bonus to its Armor Class when using Shield Bash, and grants a 20% chance to make a secondary shield bash while attacking with a melee weapon.

Does this mean there is a 20% chance to shield bash when I am swinging my sword? Does it compromise my regular attack chain at all or just add to it?

[Symar-FangofLloth]

It just adds to it. Swing your sword and 1/5th of the time you'll get a shield attack on for free. Keep in mind that your shield will only be doing around 1d6+5+Str damage, possibly a little higher with any +damage effects on you (some buffs, for instance).

[CanuckWisdom]

I went with shield mastery. Trying to achieve high ac with still decent dmg output, but it seemed clear 10% vulnerability can be pretty good for physical damage.