The gnome battle cloak is actually a heavy, resilient cloak that functions much like a shield in the hands of a proficient user. It is not a shield in the traditional sense, but grants a shield bonus to AC when a proficient user is wielding it (nonproficient users gain no bonus).
A gnome battle cloak can't be used to make shield bash attacks, but it can be instead used in a disarm attempt, with a +4 bonus to the opposed attack roll made to disarm an enemy (and to the roll to avoid being disarmed if that attempt fails).
A gnome battle cloak is retrieved and readied just like a shield, and occupies a hand just as a light shield does (allowing you to carry things in that hand, but not wield weapons in it).
Gnomes develop the armor and train in its use.
| Gnome Battle Cloak | Exotic Shield | 5 gp | +1 Shield | 0 ACP | 0% ASF | 1 lbs |
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