Pulling away a shield

[Tharkon]

What kind of action and whih what modifiers and consequences would it be when you use an axe or halberd to pull away your opponent's shield, just like axefighters used to do in the middle ages with a spearfighter (probably with a longspear) behind them to strike when the shield was gone?

Sunder would be smashing on the shield trying to destroy it.
Disarm would works on weapons or weapon-like objects like wands.

Axes have bonuses for neither of these even though their shape is perfect for hooking behind shields, or from smashing trough them if made of wood actually.

Would such an action require a feat or skill trick?
Does the spearfighter get an attack of opportunity or is it a readied action?

 

[Dandu]

I'd count shields as a weapon-like object given that there are such things as shield-bashes and spiked shields.

 

[Greenfield]

I'd still use Disarm. It isn't limited to weapons.

DISARM
As a melee attack, you may attempt to disarm your opponent. If you do so with a weapon, you knock the opponent’s weapon out of his hands and to the ground. If you attempt the disarm while unarmed, you end up with the weapon in your hand. If you’re attempting to disarm a melee weapon, follow the steps outlined here. If the item you are attempting to disarm isn’t a melee weapon the defender may still oppose you with an attack roll, but takes a penalty and can’t attempt to disarm you in return if your attempt fails.

I'd give the defender a bonus, similar to what a Locking Gauntlet gives, since the shield isn't simply held in the hand, but is instead both held in the hand and strapped to the arm.

So counting the -4 for the item not being a melee weapon, and the +10 for the Locking Gauntlet effect, I'd say shields can be disarmed at -6.

That sound about right to you?

 

[Dandu]

Well, shields can be used as an offhand weapon...

 

[Greenfield]

Looking at other responses, I'll modify my own answer.

If the shield bearer has the appropriate feats or class features to use Shield Bash should count the Shield as a melee weapon, and thus not suffer that -4 penalty when resisting the disarm.

So in that situation, the total penalty to the disarm would be -10, not -6.

 

[Dandu]

Shield Bash isn't a feat, it's a combat maneuver that anyone can perform. Improved Shield Bash is a feat and allows you to retain shield AC when making a shield bash.

 

[Greenfield]

Okay, was the shield bearer using his shield as a melee weapon this round? If so, then he's better able to resist the Disarm attempt.

Simple.

 

[Dandu]

Because he grabbed onto it harder in order to bash someone?

 

[akbearfoot]

Seems like you should be better at protecting your shield if you aren't trying to hit someone with it.


I can see a regular disarm attempt to 'unready' the shield, but not to take it away since its physically strapped on. That could range from reducing the shields bonus by half to negating it.

That would mean the shield user could just readjust his grip and spend his move action to 'fix' the shield on his turn. Then stab you with his sword that you aren't paying enough attention to.

I dispute the claim that axes are 'well-suited' to grabbing shields, just because of their shape. They are meant to be swing in an arc, not pushed in/out.

 

[Rhun]

I can see a regular disarm attempt to 'unready' the shield, but not to take it away since its physically strapped on. That could range from reducing the shields bonus by half to negating it.

I actually like this suggestion. I think that is how I would handle it.