Where does the shield go if it's not equipped? Usually, it hangs on the character's back, or it should. Now, in most video games, that shield that's supposed to be there isn't shown, but it should be.
So? Having a heavy wooden object hanging of your back doesn’t exactly help you - if anything it should add negative AC. By the same token an unequipped weapon might do damage to an attacker cause “hey, you turn around and the mace smacks an enemy in the balls by accident”.
If you don’t have something equipped, it should not be a factor in combat. Switching weapons should be limited. I would prefer an ability for more loadouts, rather then forcing one ranged and one melee.
Explain to me how this is supposed to work for you.
If you have a solid piece of wood or metal on your back, how does that not protect you?
What you say is completely illogical.
Enemy comes at you head on. He takes a jab at you with a spear. You have no shield in hand because it's on your back. Shield does not provide ANY protection. Spear jabs you in chest more easily because there is no big, metal object in the way at all.
Or are you suggesting that you would suddenly spin around and drop to the ground like a turtle to protect yourself?
Enemy comes from behind. Shield is immobile on your back. Legs are exposed. Easy to jab you in the legs without you having any ability to shift the shield to block it. Arms are also exposed from behind. Head is also exposed. No ability to shift the shield round to counter the jab.
It's not a perfect system, but the point is it is simple. Equip shield. Protection enabled. Don't equip it. Protection disabled. Equip weapon. Attack bonus and damage bonus enabled. Unequip weapon, only able to use fists. Like someone else said, there is no ability to spin around and cause your hammer on your back to flail outwards and strike an enemy. That's a bit overcomplicating the combat system.
So, you're a GM, what's the hit roll on that attack at the exposed legs from behind? What size shield are you talking about, a buckler? Even a medium shield will cover the arms and head, along with all of the torso. Let alone a tower shield, which would mean your "easy target" would be the ankles? So, here's what I want you to try:
Get a piece of 4x8 plywood, and cut a foot off of the width, so it's 3x8, then cut about 1 1/2 feet off the height. Strap it to someone's back and check out how much target you really have. Maybe an actual visual of what this actually looks like will help you understand what's being presented. As someone who has participated in Live Steel, sword fighting at Ren Faires, I can tell you, you're going to be in for a big surprise. Depending on the height of the person wearing your makeshift tower shield, you may have a couple of inches at the bottom, and you won't see their head, at all. With someone that's really tall, you'll have more of a target below the bottom of that shield, but you still won't see their torso, head or arms. Good luck getting a favorable angle on hitting anything below the shield, instead of hitting the ground behind them. Unless you're going to run up behind them and lay down?
