My proposal is to change bucklers to a "worn on the wrist" item; they could then give a -1 hit penalty if used with a weapon, and possibly (?) be coded to lose their AC if both hands are full. This would also allow for Improved Buckler Defense from Complete Warrior; it allows you to retain AC dual wielding or 2H, but you also keep the -1 penalty to attack.This small metal shield is worn strapped to your forearm. You can use a bow or crossbow without penalty while carrying it. You can also use your shield arm to wield a weapon (whether you are using an off-hand weapon or using your off hand to help wield a two-handed weapon), but you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls while doing so. This penalty stacks with those that may apply for fighting with your off hand and for fighting with two weapons. In any case, if you use a weapon in your off hand, you don’t get the buckler’s AC bonus for the rest of the round.
You can’t bash someone with a buckler.
I think this opens up a few different paths and isn't quite unbalancing. At the very best (+1 buckler, +2 enchant) it offers quite sizable defense for a two-hands employed character, but at the very best a shield ring can offer +2 without feats; leaving this on par with heavy armor op and shield spec. It might also breathe some life into these little guys. Best case scenario would have them able to stack with magic bracers; I believe they still would in SRD, it's just a matter of what wear slots we have available.
