Wow.
What the heck does it really matter about how "powerful" a +10/+10 shield would be because it only uses up one SLOT??!!
I understand the interesting rules-nature of this unique case, but do you really believe that a 300,000 g.p. shield-weapon that basically requires the wielder to be a high-level fighter (for all the feats) is an unbalancing scenario?
Second question:
Caliban, if you say that a shield-as-weapon can't have over +10 bonus, aren;t you ignoring the DMG tables?
They explicitly state and have prices for +1 thru +10 armor enhancments.
Then they have the table for +1 thru +10 weapon enhancements.
Then they have a weapon (a shield) that can have both types of enchantments.
You're opinion is that for no stated reason, a shield-as-weapon would have to STOP at +5 armor and +5 weapon enhancements in the tables?
That the rest of the table wouldn't apply, to this item different from all other items in the game?
Finally, isn;t there a flaw in this thinking, Caliban?
IF you are viewing the weapon and armor enhancements as being a "pool" (meaning both enhancements are counted for rules purposes), than why would you have to pay for the wasted +1 enhancement when you are putting the flaming weapon enhancement on a +1 shield of Bashing?
According to your (esteemed and respected) opinion, both enhancements are counted, so you should be able to plop the flaming enhancement on the +1 Bashing Shield for 1000 gp's, since it's
already a magic item with an effective +2 bonus.