Are clerics proficient with shields as weapons?

[Erik Johannesson]

Clerics are proficient with shields as defensive equipment. Bashing with a shield counts as a martial weapon. Clerics are not proficient with martial weapons by default.

Questions:
Is a cleric proficient with a shield used for bashing?

Is a cleric proficient with a spiked shield used for bashing?

/Erik
playing a Cleric of Fharlanghn in Living Greyhawk

 

[Darkness]

Shield Proficiency does not include Martial Weapon Proficiency (shield).

 

[irdeggman]

Based on the RAW clerics aren't proficient with shields when used as weapons. Theymust take martial weapon proficiency in order to be able to use a shield in that mannner without suffering the non-proficiency penalty. It is however interesting to note that the only prerequisite for the Improved Shield Bash feat is proficiency in the type of shield.

Applicable text is under the equipment description for shields and the feat descriptions.

 

[Erik Johannesson]

Thanks for the replies! Your answers correspond nicely with my gut feeling.

Btw, what is the RAW that is so often referred to?

 

[irdeggman]

Btw, what is the RAW that is so often referred to?

RAW = Rules as Written