Improved Shield Bash and AoO

Mahali · Jul 31, 2002

When you move them the 5' do you get an AoO for their movement?

I know everbody else does and since you're not actually moving or in the same hex as the target...

Mr.Binx · Jul 31, 2002

To my knowledge, Improved Shield Bash from DotF allows you to make a shield bash attack and still keep your AC bonus from the shield. It doesn't actually move your opponent unless you are making a bull rush attack. Am I thinking of the wrong feat? A friend is borrowing my DotF atm.

Caliban · Jul 31, 2002

Mr.Binx said:
To my knowledge, Improved Shield Bash from DotF allows you to make a shield bash attack and still keep your AC bonus from the shield. It doesn't actually move your opponent unless you are making a bull rush attack. Am I thinking of the wrong feat? A friend is borrowing my DotF atm.

You are thinking of Shield Expert from Sword and Fist.

Improved Shield Bash from Defenders of the Faith does move them back 5' if successful.

However, 5' of movement generally does not provoke an AoO.

Mr.Binx · Aug 1, 2002

Caliban said:
You are thinking of Shield Expert from Sword and Fist.

Ah... I do have my copy of S&F. You are correct, I was thinking of Shield Expert. Thanks for the assist Caliban.

Ok, so if the question being asked is 'Do you get an AoO against the individual being moved?', then the answer is probably no. The best ruling would probably be to treat the attack as a bull rush attempt since it sounds like it's basically the same effect. Under 'Bull Rush Results' on p.137 of the PHB it states: 'The defender provokes attacks of opportunity if he is moved. So do you, if you move with him. The two of you do not provoke attacks of opportunity from each other as a result of this movement.' Seems like it would be pretty safe and solid to apply the same rules equally to Improved Shield Bash.

dead_radish · Aug 1, 2002

Improved shield bash is quickly becoming my favorite feat.

A multiclass ranger/fighter.

Feats: Shield Expert. Power Attack. Improved Shield Bash. Weapon Focus (Longspear). Monkey grip (longspear).

Opponent approaches. AoO. Your turn. Shield bash. Hit. Push them back 5'. All your allies standing next to you get AoO's. Stab them with your longspear. Take a 5' step back. Opponent is now 10 feet away. Lather, Rinse, repeat.

Mix in knockdown, and your shiled bash attack may be able to knock them down (especially with power attack). Then you push them back 5', and knock them down. Then stab them with the spear where it hurts.

You're almost equally a Large and in Charge critter.

Mmmmm.

AGGEMAM · Aug 1, 2002

dead_radish said:
Improved shield bash is quickly becoming my favorite feat.

A multiclass ranger/fighter.

Feats: Shield Expert. Power Attack. Improved Shield Bash. Weapon Focus (Longspear). Monkey grip (longspear).

Opponent approaches. AoO. Your turn. Shield bash. Hit. Push them back 5'. All your allies standing next to you get AoO's. Stab them with your longspear. Take a 5' step back. Opponent is now 10 feet away. Lather, Rinse, repeat.

Mix in knockdown, and your shiled bash attack may be able to knock them down (especially with power attack). Then you push them back 5', and knock them down. Then stab them with the spear where it hurts.

You're almost equally a Large and in Charge critter.

Mmmmm.

Very good, now if you exchanged that longspear with a spiked chain you would be home free. Also consider these feats

Power Attack -> Cleave -> Great Cleave

Combat Reflexes (very handy also with your original character, since it lets you get AoOs when you are flat-footed and improves the number of AoO you can get, if the monsters decide to gang up on you)