Shield Fighters

[Caeleddin]

Bront - Well, you are basically going to do 1 level of damage* less than a full Two Weapon Fighting character in exchange for 1 extra AC if you are using a heavy shield. If you are using a light shield, you will just lose 1 level of damage. This is because the Two Weapon Fighter can get Two Weapon Defence. However, the advantages of Improved Shield Bash over Two Weapon Defence is HUGE. You can get your AC even with only a shield, something TWD doesn't give you with just one weapon. So, if your primary weapon gets sundered, or lost or whatever, your AC won't change. Not so with TWD. Also, ISB effectively gives you another slot, as you can enchant the shield and the spikes SEPARATELY. So, you can have a +5 shield and a +5 weapon all in one package and you get to use both at the same time for one measely feat. Sure, you do less damage, but that is only 1 point on average.

As KarinsDad said, the sword and shield fighter is there to stay, not to blow. As an analogy, in Battletech, experienced players ALWAYS modify their 'Mechs to take full armour. Why? Because even if you do an additional 50% damage (more like 10-20% in most cases) from a few points you save on weight by skimping on armour, it doesn't compare with the 100% extra you get if you manage to stay alive for another round because of the heavier armour (more if you decide to Hell with the heat scale and do an Alpha Strike).

* Level of damage means from d8 to d6 and from d6 to d4, etc.

 

[Bront]

I was thinking more from the coolness factor than damage, and it seemed like something different. In many of our games, shield fighters have all but disapeared, but we tend to get few straight fighters or clerics.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I've thought of trying a character with Improved Shield Bash and Two Weapon fighting, so he can bash with the shield as a weapon in addition to a normal attack, and still not loose his shield bonus. Not sure how well it works mechanicaly yet though.

I have one that also picked up Shield Charge and Shield Slam from Complete Warrior. I have an adamantine shield with a cold iron shield spike. My shield is my primary attack, which lets me use a heavy shield just fine. The off-hand attack is a light weapon.

The combination of Shield Charge and Shield Slam make for a fun time.

 

[KarinsDad]

In many of our games, shield fighters have all but disapeared, but we tend to get few straight fighters or clerics.

This is more due to the fact that in the WotC books alone, there are well over 150 feats, over 50 PrCs, and over 20 core classes.

Bigger, better, badder syndrome at work. Christmas every day. Nobody wants to be generic when they can be special.

 

[Thondor]

Well said

Here's a feat I just cooked up : "Block arrows" (same as feat Deflect arrows) but be able to use it to block an arrow aimed at an ally within five feet. It would cost an immediate action (same as a move action but usebal at any time) put the character in the same square as his ally or in front 5 feet (between the archer and target) The move would be usable when wearing a shield (or perhaps by a monk whenever.) The player would have to chose to use this before the attack is declared a hit (but only for allies.) I also think this should be only usable by someone with a Heavy or Tower shield and a gateway feat -- Shield Focus anyone? should be require ( a simple +1 to AC?)

 

[Seeten]

This is more due to the fact that in the WotC books alone, there are well over 150 feats, over 50 PrCs, and over 20 core classes.

Bigger, better, badder syndrome at work. Christmas every day. Nobody wants to be generic when they can be special.

My only current fighter is sword and shield, with a horse, mounted combat, and the like. I love traditional fighters, because they are where its at. Shields are good. Surviving is good. Giving the mages multiple extra rounds to implode the enemies is good. Doing extra dmg? Not so good.