Tempest using shield as off-hand weapon

[Balord]

When fighting with two weapons a Tempest gains a +1 shield bonus at 1st level, +2 at 3rd and +3 at 5th. If one of those weapons happens to be a shield (and assuming the character has the improved shield bash feat), does the Tempest add this class shield bonus to the AC bonus already provided by the shield, or is it against the rules to add these bonuses together?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Two shield bonuses do not stack, so no, the Tempest could not benefit from a shield and his his special shield bonus as a class ability.

 

[Quikill]

Actually having just read the ability, (quoted below) 'Tempest Defense' is an Unnamed bonus to armor class which means that it should stack with everything else.

If I'm mistaken please let me know, but I believe this is true according to the RAW.

Tempest Defense (Ex): When wielding a double weapon, or two weapons (not including natural weapons or unarmed strikes), a tempest gains a +1 bonus to Armor Class. This bonus increases to +2 at 3rd level and +3 at 5th level. The character loses this ability when fighting in medium or heavy armor.

 

[FEADIN]

Same bonus no stacking
Edit: unnamed bonus stacking

 

[melkorspawn]

The only mention of 'shield' was the mistaken characterization of the bonus as a 'shield bonus' instead of a '+1 bonus to armor class' by Balord. This being said... the shield would stack with the armor class bonus, as they are different AC categories.

 

[Balord]

My mistake. Thanks for clearing things up.

 

[Liquidsabre]

If a shield is considered a weapon for this special ability, then this would work, otherwise I'd say no.

 

[melkorspawn]

My mistake. Thanks for clearing things up.

But a happy mistake... cause now the bonuses stack.

 

[Artoomis]

"...If you use your shield as a weapon you lose its AC bonus until your next action (usually until the next round)..."

So, yes, you get the AC bonus from the class feature but you would not also get the AC bonus from the shield if you were using it as a weapon unless you have some other feat or class feature that lets you both Shield Bash AND get the AC bonus from the shield at the same time.

 

[Infiniti2000]

So, yes, you get the AC bonus from the class feature but you would not also get the AC bonus from the shield if you were using it as a weapon unless you have some other feat or class feature that lets you both Shield Bash AND get the AC bonus from the shield at the same time.

That's why the OP assumed the character had improved shield bash.