Sword and Board...of DEATH!

[Shadeus]

-4? Heavy shield?

In 3.5 shields got renamed from large and medium to heavy and light (respectively). So the shield that gives you a +2 shield bonus to AC is a heavy shield. Because of its size, it's considered a "one-handed melee weapon." If you go with anything but a light weapon in your weapon hand, you will have two one-handed melee weapons which means you suffer the -4 penalty to both attacks. This is only for TWF.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

In 3.5 shields got renamed from large and medium to heavy and light (respectively). So the shield that gives you a +2 shield bonus to AC is a heavy shield. Because of its size, it's considered a "one-handed melee weapon." If you go with anything but a light weapon in your weapon hand, you will have two one-handed melee weapons which means you suffer the -4 penalty to both attacks. This is only for TWF.

Right. But if you're going to TWF, you almost certainly want to start using a light shield. With enhancement bonuses and possibly Divine Shield, you won't miss the 1 point of AC as much as the extra -2 to attacks will hurt you.

 

[Shadeus]

Well, if you use a light shield, it's only a -2 penalty to each attack. What dexterity does your pally have? Mine would have to snag Gloves of Dex +2 just to qualify for the feat. If yours doesn't, you're probably still in better shape for TWF.

Mine has a 13 too. But I was planning on getting gloves or putting ability points in there to bump it up to a 15, if I really wanted to go that route. But I did the math on the -4 to each and it wasn't worth it. Sure, I could just use a light shield, but he has a family heirloom shield that he would rather use.

That does sound nice. Though the Intimidate prereq that FireLance mentioned will be tough for us...denser...pallies.

Err, I need to read closer. Did you hear a loud pop? That was FireLance bursting my bubble.

Divine shield is a tough one. Assuming you use the 3.5 rules for Divine Might, it chews through your turn attempts pretty quickly, especially if you fight more than a few times a day. With that Str 18 though, you can save those turn attempts for when you are fighting a really bad guy and not use it against the mooks.

Good luck!

 

[Darklone]

Shadeus: I knew about the shields, was just wondering why you used a heavy one instead of the light one...

Heirlooms are always a good reason though, is your weapon a heirloom as well or what about using a shortsword?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Divine shield is a tough one. Assuming you use the 3.5 rules for Divine Might, it chews through your turn attempts pretty quickly, especially if you fight more than a few times a day. With that Str 18 though, you can save those turn attempts for when you are fighting a really bad guy and not use it against the mooks.

My DM generously allows me to use 3.0 Divine Might. And a good thing too, since we often have several encounters each day. I currently have enough Turn attempts to use Divine Might regularly, though not both Divine Might and Divine Shield both. When I get Divine Shield, I'll be using the 3.5 version (I'm grateful enough for 3.0 Divine Might. ) That's the one I'll probably save, unless we go up against a powerful melee foe.

Regarding Dex, I'm not sure I'll have enough money to boost it. We already have Charisma, Strength, and Con to worry about boosting. A fourth stat to boost is a lot of cash. Heck, three stats to boost is a lot of cash!

I'm currently thinking Divine Shield at 6th, and Ride-By Attack at 9th. We'll see after that... I've also asked my DM if I might be able to trade out the Remove Disease ability for a bonus feat or two. Cross your fingers.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Heirlooms are always a good reason though, is your weapon a heirloom as well or what about using a shortsword?

How would using a shortsword change things up Darklone?

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Using a shortsword allows you to declare a heavy shield as your primary weapon and use TWF at the more attractive penalties--since the shortsword would then be a light weapon in your off-hand. That combination works pretty well with Phalanx Fighting (from Complete Warrior).

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Using a shortsword allows you to declare a heavy shield as your primary weapon and use TWF at the more attractive penalties--since the shortsword would then be a light weapon in your off-hand. That combination works pretty well with Phalanx Fighting (from Complete Warrior).

Hrm. Is there not a thread in this very forum debating whether or not a shield can be used as a weapon in the primary hand?

 

[Darklone]

Yeah, there is a thread... the disadvantage of fighting with a heavy shield and a sword sword would be that both weapons count as offhand weapons (less damage), but you'll hit much better

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Hrm. Is there not a thread in this very forum debating whether or not a shield can be used as a weapon in the primary hand?

There sure is. However, the argument that the shield can't be used as a weapon "in the primary hand" depends upon the notion of handedness. I don't see how it would apply if you simply told your DM: "My character is right handed and wields the heavy shield on his right hand and the shortsword in his left."