HYPERBOREA / Agile Ability

**Posted by Ghul** 5/23/2014 1:18 pm

A player at G+ asked me:

Does the Agile ability stack with a shield? I know it requires the character to be unarmored, but I'm not sure whether to count a shield as 'armor', even though it boosts your AC.

My answer:

I would allow a small shield to apply, but not a large shield. Perhaps this should be clarified in the future. Thank you.

**Posted by Yora** 5/23/2014 1:20 pm

Because using non-allowed armor conflicts with class abilities but allowed ones don't?
Seems like a straight and unambigous case to me.

**Posted by Ghul** 5/23/2014 1:24 pm

The agile ability requires the character to be unarmoured and unencumbered. The player wants to know if the shield affects the ability, too.

**Posted by Handy Haversack** 5/23/2014 1:46 pm

Makes sense. It's a thief ability that all the thief subclasses get. Only assassins are allowed to use large shields anyway. So I would think that since thieves can use small shields, they can be agile with them.

**Posted by Blackadder23** 5/23/2014 1:50 pm

I've been allowing it to apply with a shield (although it's only been relevant maybe once) on the theory that a shield isn't "armor" per se. Also, I feel barbarian characters who refrain from wearing armor in true "comic book Conan" style deserve a little bonus for it. I agree this could probably stand to be clarified in the next printing.

**Posted by Benoist** 6/14/2014 9:52 pm

The answer should be, from my standpoint, "what makes sense to you and your game table."

This isn't something that should warrant "official reply", let alone "a new revision of the game."

**Posted by Ghul** 6/14/2014 10:20 pm

That's why I mentioned how I would probably handle it, Benoist. Not an "official" answer, but a gamer to gamer answer. That being said, I do have a finite amount of boxed sets left, so when I do sell out, I'll be making a new printing of the game, and there are some clarifications worth making. Not sure this is one of them, but it's on the "consideration" list, because the rule mentions armour and not shields. Like BA23, I like the idea of a barbarian rushing into combat, armourless, agile as a panther, and wielding broad sword and shield.

**Posted by Benoist** 6/29/2014 11:48 am

I figured that much but apparently came out much more strongly than I thought I would.

I can see how that can be seen as a shot on my part. Apologies! :D

**Posted by Ghul** 6/29/2014 12:21 pm

Benoist wrote:
I figured that much but apparently came out much more strongly than I thought I would.

I can see how that can be seen as a shot on my part. Apologies! :D

No worries! I didn't read your reply like that at all, really.