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Animated Shield

Animated Shield
  • Category: Armor (Shield)
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

While holding this Shield, you can take a Bonus Action to cause it to animate. The Shield leaps into the air and hovers in your space to protect you as if you were wielding it, leaving your hands free. The Shield remains animate for 1 minute, until you take a Bonus Action to end this effect, or until you die or have the Incapacitated condition, at which point the Shield falls to the ground or into your hand if you have one free.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides shield protection while freeing both hands for two-handed weapons, spellcasting with somatic components, or dual-wielding. Ideal for versatile combat styles and switching between offense and defense.

Class Synergies:

  • Paladins and Clerics: Allows shield protection while using holy symbols and two-handed weapons
  • Eldritch Knights and War Wizards: Enables shield protection during spellcasting without somatic component restrictions
  • Rangers and Fighters: Permits use of longbows or two-handed weapons while maintaining AC bonus

Build Considerations: Most effective for characters who want shield protection but need hands free for specific abilities. The bonus action activation may compete with other class features.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires masterwork shield, animation enchantments, and force magic. Typically costs 15,000-25,000 gp in materials and specialized magical expertise.

Common Sources:

  • Ancient military installations with advanced magical defenses
  • Rewards from constructs or animated object encounters
  • Inheritance from legendary knights or paladins
  • Commission from master enchanters specializing in animation magic

Alternative Acquisition: Some magical academies lend these shields to advanced students studying evocation and enchantment magic.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 20,000-30,000 gp, making it one of the more expensive very rare items due to its unique utility.

Trade Considerations: Highly valued by military leaders and spellcasting warriors. Often considered family heirlooms in knightly houses.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: The hovering shield draws attention and suggests mastery of advanced magical combat techniques. Characters may feel empowered by the hands-free protection.

Character Concepts:

  • Elite knight trained in both martial and magical combat
  • Former military mage who specialized in battle magic
  • Heir to a noble house with access to ancestral magical equipment
  • Artificer who has mastered the creation of animated defenses

Adventure Hooks​

The Rebellious Shield: An animated shield has gained sentience and independence, leading to questions about the nature of magical consciousness and ownership.

The Shield Wall: A military unit equipped with animated shields requests the party's help in a crucial battle where their unique capabilities are essential.

The Dueling Master: A renowned dueling academy's animated shields have been stolen, and the party must recover them before an important tournament.

The Construct Connection: The shield's animation magic is linked to a larger construct or golem, creating unexpected complications during combat.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Animated Shield (Legendary): Provides +3 AC instead of +2 and can animate for up to 10 minutes per day, usable in multiple activations.

Intelligent Animated Shield (Artifact): Gains its own personality and can make tactical decisions, possibly providing advantage on certain saves or warning of dangers.

Specialized Animated Shield (Very Rare): Includes additional properties such as resistance to specific damage types or the ability to use shield bash attacks while animated.

Specialized Variants:

  • Spellcasting Shield: Can store and cast defensive spells while animated
  • Guardian Shield: Can animate to protect nearby allies instead of just the wielder
  • Reflective Shield: Provides spell turning capabilities while animated

Lore & History​

Origins: First created by battle-mages who needed to cast complex spells while maintaining defensive capabilities. The animation techniques have since been refined by various magical traditions.

Historical Significance: Several famous knights and paladins have wielded animated shields in legendary battles, often turning the tide through their tactical versatility.

Cultural Impact: In military traditions, animated shields represent the perfect fusion of martial and magical prowess, often given to officers who must lead from the front.

Magical Theory: The shield's animation relies on a complex weave of force magic that maintains its protective properties while operating independently of the wielder's direct control.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Best introduced at levels 11-14 when characters have established combat styles and can appreciate the tactical flexibility it provides.

Campaign Impact: Allows for more dynamic combat encounters and may enable character builds that were previously impractical due to action economy constraints.

Resource Management: The limited duration and bonus action activation create tactical decisions about when to activate the shield's special property.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Multi-phase encounters where switching between offense and defense is crucial
  • Spellcaster duels where somatic components matter
  • Situations requiring the use of both hands while maintaining defense
  • Encounters with enemies that specifically target shield-bearers

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may try to attack or dispel the animated shield, or use area effects that force movement to disrupt the animation.

Animation Magic: Other animated items such as dancing swords or flying carpets that use similar magical principles.

Shield Enhancements:

  • Shield +1, +2, or +3 (basic magical enhancement)
  • Arrow-Catching Shield (specialized defense)
  • Spellguard Shield (magical protection)

Complementary Equipment: Items that benefit from having hands free, such as somatic component focuses or two-handed weapons with special properties.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Magical Showcase: The animated shield serves as a visible demonstration of the character's magical prowess and advanced combat training.

Tactical Leadership: Characters can use the shield's unique properties to demonstrate superior battlefield tactics and inspire confidence in allies.

Social Implications: The impressive nature of an animated shield may open doors with military contacts or magical societies while potentially intimidating common folk.