Please rate Shield Expert

[smetzger]

Shield Expert [General]
REQ: Base Attack bonus +3, Shield Proficiency
You may make an off-hand attack with your shield while retaining the shield’s AC bonus for that round. Sword and Fist, pg 9.

 

[gfunk]

I gave it a 4 b/c it seems to me that it is only used by specialized characters. I guess most two-weapon types actually use two regular weapons. If someone has the feat but really wants to keep their AC up, then this feat is up their alley.

 

[hong]

If you take a level of ranger for the TWF thing (and who doesn't), I think this could be quite good. You get the best of both worlds, being the shield AC bonus and the extra attack.

 

[novyet]

I gave it a 5 (Average), simply because it's good at what it does, but Shield Specialization does it much better.

 

[incognito]

it provides an alternate to the Weapon focus/improved critical Ranger, an I liek to promore diversity

8!

 

[doktorstick]

It doesn't say explicitly, but does it follow that if you wear a buckler on your arm and use a weapon (such as a crossbow or two-handed weapon) that you maintain your AC bonus for that round?

Thanks.
/ds

 

[GuardianLurker]

It doesn't say explicitly, but does it follow that if you wear a buckler on your arm and use a weapon (such as a crossbow or two-handed weapon) that you maintain your AC bonus for that round?

Thanks.
/ds

No, because the feat explicity states
"attack with your shield". This feat is useful when using a bladed or spiked shield, and not much else.

I gave it a '5', despite its limited utility because the difference between 'or' and 'and' is fairly significant.

 

[doktorstick]

Bummer. Know of any that allow keeping the shield bonus as I described?

 

[The Souljourner]

I gave it an 8 because it pretty much just means your two weapon fighter gets a bunch more AC for very little input. Get a shield of bashing and you're even doing 1d8 with the offhand, that's not bad at all. If you're going two weapon style anyway, there's almost no reason not to take this. And paladins... holee sheeit. Divine Shield anyone? By mid levels, you could easily have a shield with +7 enhancement to AC and has a +7 enhancement bonus to attack and damage. That's not bad. By high levels this could be as high as +12 to both. No other ability can give you a +12 enhancement bonus to either armor or attack... this gives you both.

So... combine the two with shield expert and get the best of both worlds.

-The Souljourner

 

[Marshall]

So... combine the two with shield expert and get the best of both worlds.

-The Souljourner

Ditto. I only gave it a 9, but thats just because not everyone is TWF fighter.