Shields: Hardness, HP, and Broken Threshold
[[compendium:feat:Shield Block]] reduces damage by Hardness, with remaining damage splitting between you and the shield. Shields break at their BT and must be repaired via [[compendium:skill:Crafting]].
Shields in PF2e are active defensive tools that absorb damage but can break.
Raise a Shield (1 action): You must use this action each turn to gain the shield's circumstance bonus to AC (+1 for Buckler, +2 for most shields, +2 for Tower Shield which also provides Take Cover). The bonus lasts until the start of your next turn.
Shield Block (reaction): When you take physical damage while your shield is raised, you can use Shield Block to reduce the damage by the shield's Hardness value. The remaining damage is split between you and the shield.
Shield Statistics:
- Hardness: Reduces incoming damage before it affects the shield or you. A Steel Shield has Hardness 5.
- HP: The shield's total hit points. A Steel Shield has 20 HP.
- Broken Threshold (BT): When a shield's HP drops to or below this value, it's broken. A broken shield cannot be used for Raise a Shield or Shield Block until repaired. Steel Shield BT is 10.
- Destroyed: If a shield reaches 0 HP, it's destroyed entirely.
Example: You have a Steel Shield raised (Hardness 5, HP 20, BT 10). An enemy deals 15 damage. Shield Block reduces it by 5 (Hardness). The remaining 10 damage is split: you take 10 and the shield takes 10. The shield is now at 10 HP (its BT), so it becomes broken.
Shield Types: Buckler (Hardness 1, HP 6, BT 3, +1 AC), Wooden Shield (Hardness 3, HP 12, BT 6, +2 AC), Steel Shield (Hardness 5, HP 20, BT 10, +2 AC). Magical shields have higher values.
Repairing: Use the Repair activity (Crafting skill, 10 minutes) to restore a broken shield to its full HP.