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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mistwell" data-source="post: 6590597" data-attributes="member: 2525">They don't! In fact, the rules make it pretty clear they don't.  (I believe it's something you can maintain along with your move). And I think that's a pretty awesome image for a bard in combat.  What is your objection?In the hands of a trained combatant who knows how to use a shield as both defense (proficient with shields) and a weapon (dual wield and/or tavern brawl) then I don't see why they couldn't manage to position the shield to do both in the same 6 second round.   There is plenty of cinematic support for that sort of claim, and real life support.  The shield bash is a real thing, and it's also commonly portrayed in movies and television, so I feel it has plenty of support as a thing you can do with a shield (both attack and defend at the same time).I am not saying that ruling is unfair, I am saying it's not how I'd do it and I don't think it's unfair to let them stack.  The feat is very costly (heck they'd often be getting the stacking AC bonus from taking a +2 Dex instead), and part of it's benefit is the +1 AC, and I see no game balance reason OR flavor reason to not give it to them.The guy who wrote the rule told us he thinks they stack. We don't have to guess at intent here.  Not that your ruling is necessarily a bad one - but it doesn't appear to have the intent backing of the game designer here.  Again, rule it how you want.</blockquote>