Is Sword and Board viable?

[The_Dood]

Is a weapon and shield fighting style viable for a combat focused class (Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin) in the long run (Levels 1 - 20)?

Just interested as I primarily play fighters with Greatswords and I'm looking to mix things up by playing a fighter with a longsword and shield.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Viable? Sure shootin'.

Optimal? Debatable. Throw in some of the excellent shield feats from PHBII, and you've got a nice running contest. Without them, it's a hard sell to be good.

It's not bad, and it's certainly viable, but without those PHBII (or other shield) feats, they aren't really optimized for their level. Not that that always matters.

 

[Christian]

Viable? Certainly. Optimal? Probably not. An optimized S&B fighter will probably be inferior in melee to an optimized greatsword fighter--but not by so much that you'd feel useless in comparison. The shield feats in PHB2 can help, if they're available in the campaign ...

[edit: must ... type ... faster ...]

 

[reanjr]

Certainly viable. As you scale in level, that shield can offer upwards of 35% less chance of getting hit.

Taking improved shield bash with a spiked shield, you have a nice bonus to damage when fighting low AC, high HP enemies (like giants), while still maintaining your improved AC (and those types of opponents usually have good BAB).

Also, when assigning ability scores, it makes Constitution a bit less important. If you generally stat yourself for melee, you can either hike up your Dex to improve your AC even more and be an effective ranged combatant, or you can focus on a "non-fighter" ability score, such as Intelligence to get a decent amount of skill points.

Like the other posts said, whether it's optimal, perhaps not. But certainly viable.

 

[airwalkrr]

The biggest problem with sword & board style is the existence of that silly floaty shield. Because of that damned thing a two-handed weapon fighter is just as protected as a sword & board fighter.

 

[FreeTheSlaves]

Assuming no house rules then absolutely not once the animated shield comes into play. Once the great sworders start matching your AC as well as dishing out more damage, if you're like me it's time to trash that character/campaign. I find it bewildering that a game about tactical combat...garr! (insert pointless internet rant)

If otoh there's no animated cheese then I'd answer yes! Sword and board is more than viable, it's outright fun. I had my combat expertise paladin safely draw 9 AoOs to clear a path for the severely wounded cleric to retreat unmolested. You can actually create a tank warrior that is an AoO battlefield sponge.

 

[Evilhalfling]

A player IMC recently went from all offense (2handed holy sword, 28 AC)
to a defensive Char - sword and board, 1/2 demon. (AC 38, sword of wounding)
the first could kill a monster very quickly but the second stood fast in front of a Huge dragons full attack and was hit only once.

Its a change in concept more than a weapon switch, but it seems equally as viable.

 

[satori01]

Immienetly viable, value of sword and board is you have high AC and very little feat requirements. Magic shield grants you high AC, and high strength and Improved Critical can take care of the damage.

Your not dealing out the damage of a 2 handed weapon power attacker, but you probably are not mana sponging the cleric for heal spells either.

Throw in Shield Specialization and Shield Ward, and you can even get a good touch AC out of your shield.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Quite viable, if you use the new shield tree in the PHB2. I'm playing a Knight using a broadblade shortsword, Combat Expertise, Shield Specialization, and Shield Ward. At 3rd level, with only a +1 magic shield and MW fullplate, I can expertise for 1 and have an AC of 27, touch 19. Granted, I've got a whopping 1d6+3 damage, but hey, it's a fun change from uberpowerattacking barbarians.

 

[Hussar]

I like the sword and board option as well. There are a number of feats out there to aid in this style, but, even without it, you're not that badly off.

Yes, you take a damage hit - that's a given. But, combined with Expertise and whatnot, you can drill your AC through the roof. Who cares if you only do a little bit of damage - if the other guy does no damage, you win.