Bashing Shield

[robberbaron]

Except that the PHB description of shields specifically states that you can craft them as magic weapons in their own right.

Sure, but why should you be able to put both a weapon enhancement AND a shield enhancement on the same item? I have no problem with a shield that is, say, +3 (to hit and damage), but Bashing is a Shield enhancement.
As I said earlier, that would imply that you could make a weapon with a shield enhancement or one with an armour enhancement. Hell, sorry heck, why not allow suits of armour that grant bonuses to hit?

My take on this is that you should not be able to mix enhancement types on a weapon/shield/armour. There are bound to be people who disagree, but that is my opinion.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Hell, sorry heck, why not allow suits of armour that grant bonuses to hit?

... because you can't bash someone with a chain shirt, but you can with a shield?

A nonmagical shield acts as both protection and as weapon.

Therefore it can be enhanced as both protection, and as weapon.

A suit of armour acts as protection. Therefore it can be enhanced as protection.

A longsword acts as a weapon. Therefore it can be enhanced as a weapon.

It's all lovely and logical, really

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

Hmm, aren't there armours who give the wielder Aid or Bless ?

 

[BelXiror]

And most medium+ armours come complete with gauntlets, which CAN be enchanted as weapons.

Or just get spiked armour.

 

[Hypersmurf]

And most medium+ armours come complete with gauntlets, which CAN be enchanted as weapons.

Or just get spiked armour.

Right, but the difference is that gauntlets and armor spikes are separate from the armor.

Unlike shield spikes, which aren't a separate item, and just turn a shield into a spiked shield, you don't attack someone with 'spiked armor', you attack someone with armor spikes. You don't punch someone with your banded mail; you punch them with your gauntlets.

So the armor itself never receives any weapon enhancements or special abilities, while a shield can.

-Hyp.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

A couple of questions occured to me while reading this thread:

Could you wield a heavy shield as your main weapon with a light weapon - such as a shortsword - in your offhand.

What happens if you wield only a shield? Could you take a 2 handed grip on it? That could be nasty - Improved Shield Bash + 2 handed Power Attack.


And finally - how does shield bash interact with the Animated property:

Animated: Upon command, an animated shield floats within 2 feet of the wielder, protecting her as if she were using it herself but freeing up both her hands. Only one shield can protect a character at a time. A character with an animated shield still takes any penalties associated with shield use, such as armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, and nonproficiency.

It seems that you would take any penalties associated with 2 weapon fighting, but would also have 2 hands free?

I'd be inclined to say "NO!" if a player asked, but my hat of animated already nows no limet.

 

[BelXiror]

A character with an animated shield still takes any penalties associated with shield use, such as armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, and nonproficiency.

Your answer is right there.

Then again, an animated shield is only 'trained' to defend. If you wanted it to attack, you'd need dancing weapon.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Could you wield a heavy shield as your main weapon with a light weapon - such as a shortsword - in your offhand.

Shield Bash Attacks: You can bash an opponent with a heavy shield, using it as an off-hand weapon.

What happens if you wield only a shield? Could you take a 2 handed grip on it?

Shield Bash Attacks: You can bash an opponent with a heavy shield, using it as an off-hand weapon.

-Hyp.

 

[Goobermunch]

So here's my question: How does the normal +10 max bonus apply to shields? Does it permit a +5 (attack and damage)/+5 Shield Bonus Large Metal Shield or does it permit a +5 Vorpal Bashing Arrow Catching Shield of Moderate Fortification +5.

That hurts my brain.

--G

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Ah, couldn't find that bit in my SRD.. But that clears it up. Thanks!

However, on the main subject, upgradable bashing shields do seem to make for a very powerful off hand weapon. The feat you spend (improved shield bash) seems to be far more effective than any of the other 2 weapon fighter 'enhancing' feats - 2 weapon defense, exotic: X double weapon...


Goobermunch - as it stands, I'd figure it allows for a +10 weapon and a +10 shield - as both of these are independent from each other. I guess you just use the standard rules for combining 2 items?