Magical Shields VS Vampires Quick Question

[Atalla Wanderer]

Okay, just a quick question?

A character can use a longbow while wearing a buckler, correct? If that buckler is magic, and the magic is reflecting (as found under Magic Armor and Weapons in the 3.5 SRD), then could the buckler repel a vampire indefinitely (since it is described as being "This shield is like a mirror. Its surface is completely reflective.") while using arrows to take it down? Silver arrows or magical arrows, of course?
If said character tried to engage a vampire with a close range weapon (say, a dagger) would it be possible or would the vampire be continually repelled away?

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Atalla Wanderer

Okay, just a quick question?Ok.

A character can use a longbow while wearing a buckler, correct? Yep. The wording is somewhat ambiguous as to whether or not you can gain the buckler's shield bonus to AC while wielding a 2 handed weapon like a bow or crossbow, but you definitely don't take the -1 penalty. If that buckler is magic, and the magic is reflecting (as found under Magic Armor and Weapons in the 3.5 SRD), then could the buckler repel a vampire indefinitely (since it is described as being "This shield is like a mirror. Its surface is completely reflective.") while using arrows to take it down? Nope. Holding a vampire at bay in this manner is a standard action. So I guess Nope only if you don't have some other way of shooting arrows despite having spent your standard action. Silver arrows or magical arrows, of course? But of course.
If said character tried to engage a vampire with a close range weapon (say, a dagger) would it be possible or would the vampire be continually repelled away? That's tricky. If you treat it the same way as spells like Repel Vermin then no, forcing them into the area of the spell doesn't push them away or force them to move away when it's their turn, they just can't chose to come within that area. However the wording of the vampire weakness indicates that they must stay at least 5 feet away from the person holding them at bay so on it's turn the vampire might have to move away. You still have the same standard action problem though.

Where I get my info

[Atalla Wanderer]

Okay, say I was wearing Celestial Armor. The description says it can be made out of silver or gold links. If I'm wearing silver Celestial Armor, would that prevent the vampire from stepping into my area? I'm not repelling it directly per say, but any vampire should be able to sense I'm wearing the silver, even if it isn't visible? Wearing silver shouldn't take up precious rounds to attack. And If I have the feat Shoot On The Run I should be able to move into the vampire's space, thereby repeling him backwards, attack, and then move again? At the most I can move between me and my party as a mobile shield, right, moving to aid whoever needs it?

[jj_wolven]

To hold them at bay, you must present the object holding them at bay. While being used in combat (or while using a 2 handed weapon), the reflective surface of the mirror is not facing him directly enough to repel him.

Also, vampires are smart; if you do repel them like that they will run away and ambush you.

-me

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Atalla Wanderer

Okay, say I was wearing Celestial Armor. OK The description says it can be made out of silver or gold links. If I'm wearing silver Celestial Armor, would that prevent the vampire from stepping into my area? In 3.5 DnD silver does nothing to repel a vampire. So no. I'm not repelling it directly per say, but any vampire should be able to sense I'm wearing the silver, even if it isn't visible? Why? Wearing silver shouldn't take up precious rounds to attack. You're right, it shouldn't. Sadly it does nothing to repel a vampire either. And If I have the feat Shoot On The Run I should be able to move into the vampire's space, thereby repelling him backwards, attack, and then move again? Nope. You're not wearing an anti-magnet. You'd still have to wait around for the vampire's turn so that he could have a chance to move away from you, even if that did work. If you move up to him, and then immediately move away using shot on the run then he never gets a chance to move himself. At the most I can move between me and my party as a mobile shield, right, moving to aid whoever needs it? Sort of. I mean there's nothing stopping the vampire from moving around you (unless you're talking about a hallway or other place with limited maneuvering.

Originally Posted by SRD

Vampires cannot tolerate the strong odor of garlic and will not enter an area laced with it. Similarly, they recoil from a mirror or a strongly presented holy symbol. These things don’t harm the vampire—they merely keep it at bay. A recoiling vampire must stay at least 5 feet away from a creature holding the mirror or holy symbol and cannot touch or make melee attacks against the creature holding the item for the rest of the encounter. Holding a vampire at bay takes a standard action.

Vampires are also unable to cross running water, although they can be carried over it while resting in their coffins or aboard a ship.

They are utterly unable to enter a home or other building unless invited in by someone with the authority to do so. They may freely enter public places, since these are by definition open to all.

If you're holding a shield or holy symbol (say being a cleric) and not taking a standard action to repel it then you're not repelling it and it can act freely. A better tactic if you expect to be running into vampires might be to mash up several cloves of garlic into a paste, put it in a jar, add some water, and use the result as a grenadelike weapon. The garlic smell will keep the vampire away.