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Message: <blockquote data-quote="nute" data-source="post: 3398757" data-attributes="member: 10607">It's how I as a DM envision a Defending weapon working - instead of putting all of its magic woobie into hitting more accurately/harder, it's being used to deflect attacks (the only logical way a weapon can add to your defense). Thus, if your armor spikes have the Defending property, they're a weapon being wielded to deflect an attack. If you were doing the same with Two-Weapon Defense; 1) you'd suffer the TWF penalties because you're wielding two weapons, and 2) it would be a Shield bonus (as Defending should provide). If you're using them as your sole attack weapon then you're fine. In the same way that if you had a Heavy Shield, you could enchant it with Defending - but then if you were using that bonus to your AC, that would mean you're using the shield as a weapon, and thus suffering the TWF penalties (unless you're JUST shield bashing). Similar question: Jimmy Paladin is carrying his Big Steel Shield in his left hand, and wielding his bastard sword in the other. He is also wearing a +3 defending spiked gauntlet, although not using it to attack (he only has one attack per round). Can he get that +3 to AC if he's not attacking with the gauntlet? I say not without taking TWF penalties, since Defending specifically states that the weapon must be wielded. Same as with armor spikes, I would rule IMC that to gain the weapon's benefit, you must be using it actively.</blockquote>

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