Dual shields

[Aaron L]

Thanks for posting the FAQ, however I tend to think that the limitation of 1/2 strength should be intentional since the shield is not designed to maximize the strength of the weilder in an attack....

I read the phrase "...using it as an off-hand weapon.' to refer not to whether its held in the primary or secondary hand, but to how much strength can be focused through it.

But you don't get that kind of penalty on improvised weapons, which certainly aren't designed to maximize the strength of a wielder, either.

And actually, shields in real life were used to punch and bash as well as defend. In fact, bucklers were used extensively to make punch attacks, almost as much as to defend. That's why I find it so... odd... that out of all the shields in D&D, the ones you can't bash with were the ones that were historically most often used in exactly that way...


I wish game designers would take just 5 minutes to research what the heck they're writing about. That way we wouldn't get 20 pound two handed swords and 10 pound maces.


GAH

 

[Darklone]

Right. Bucklers are simply improved spiked gauntlets. I'd have preferred to have them without AC bonus, but with a good bash ability.

 

[Storyteller01]

To Dontadow: Here's the Plots & Poison info. It's 3.0, and I'm keeping most of the detail for the sake of being thurough. You'll have to adjust it a bit, but it shouldn't be too hard to do.

My opinion: drop Ambidexterity (obviously), and replace Shield Specialization with Improved Shield Bash. I'd replace Ambidexterity with Improved Shield Bash as a prereq to MC I. The prereqs for MC II would still be feat intensive enough with the loss of one feat.



Martial Arts Style: Mithral Carapace I
Pre Reqs: Dex 15+, Alertness, Ambidexterity, Deflect Arrows, Double Shielding, Improved Unarmed Strike, Shield Proficiency, Shield Mastery [Any]

Benefit: A +3 competence bonus to damage with a shield bash attack


Martial Arts Style: Mithral Carapace II
Pre Reqs: Mithral Carapace I mastery (this is not a feat), Combat Reflexes, Cut Arrows, Improved Deflect Arrows, Shield Mastery (Large Shield), Shield Specialization (Large Shield), Two Weapon Fighting

Benefit: Any enhancement bonus to AC with large shields you wield count as enhancement bonuses to attack and damage when you make a shiled bash with them. This is a supernatural ability that refreshes as a free action every time you make a shield bash.

(Poster note: From the wording, I'd say that during that split second you attack, it doesn't count as both. Folks with feats that allow attacks during that time might catch you at a reduced AC).

Feats:

Double Shielding:
Prereqs: Dex 15+, Alertness, Ambidexterity, Shield Proficiency, BaB +3 or better.

Benefit: If you wield a shield with a -1 ACP or better, you may wield another shield with a -1 ACP or better with the other hand and gain the armor bonuses from both shields. You suffer the combined ACP from both shields.

You may make shield bash attacks with your primary hand without penalty, but you lose it's AC bonus until your next turn. If you employ two bucklers and use two handed weapons (including two handed ranged weapons), you incur a -2 to all attack rolls.

You may take this as a fighter bonus feat.


Shield Mastery:
Prereqs: Shield Proficiency

Benefit: Pick a shield (Buckler, small, large, tower). Whne using that type of shield, the ACP is reduced by 1. This penalty cannot be reduced below 0.

This feat may be taken multiple times. The benefits do not stack. You must chose a new shield each time you take this feat.

You may take this as a fighter bonus feat.


Cut Arrows:
Prereqs: Dex 13+, Delfelct Arrows, Imprived Unarmed Combat

Benefit: When using Deflect Arrows, you do not need a free hand. You may use your feet, weapon, or object in hand. If successful, you may deal damage to the projectile that would have hit you.

(Poster Note: Great for those who use returning weapons or recoverable projectiles).


Improved Deflect Arrows:
Prereqs: Dex 13+, Combat Reflexes, Deflect Arrows, Improved Unarmed Strike

Benefit: When using Deflect Arrows, you may deflect a number of arrows equal to your dex modifier +1.


Shield Specialization:
Prereqs: Shield Proficiency, Shield Mastery

Benefit: When you make a shield bash with a shield type you have mastered, you may regain the shields AC bonus as a free action. If you choose the buckler for this feat, you may shield bash for 1d3 damage and not suffer the -1 with off hand attacks (with weapons or shield bash). You regain the buckler's AC bonus after making an off hand attack.

If used with Double Shielding, you may regain the Ac bonuses for both shields as a single free action, provided both shields are of a type you have mastered.