Two Shields?

[CRGreathouse]

1) if you made it a Holy Shield (+2 magic offensive bonus cost), it would be added into the defensive cost. So a +1 Large Steel Holy Shield would be a +3 defensive bonus cost total (+9,000 gp).

2) the gp cost of the offensive bonus is added to the gp cost of the defensive bonus cost.
So the +2 from being a Holy weapon (+8000 gp) is added to the +1 Large Steel Shield (1,170 gp) for a grand total of 9,170 gp's.

Yes, shields with offensive enchantments should be cheaper than similar weapons...

 

[Speaks With Stone]

A player in my game is currently using two shields and specializing in shield bash. The only (seeming) benefit is that he can shield bash with the smaller shield and keep the larger shield on defense. When he chooses he can make two shield attacks, but forfeit all defense. With feats, he can make an impressive charge attack. Otherwise, it seems to be an interesting, but sub-optimal choice.

 

[Rel]

Are there any rules regarding wearing two shields at once? I am envisioning a character dual-wielding spiked shields with the Shield Expert feat from S&F. Would he get armor bonuses from both shields?

I'm the guy who Speaks With Stone is talking about. I have looked into this topic extensively as I am currently running a character who dual-wields spiked shields. I have a few observations on the matter if you are interested in hearing them:

1) My GM is of the opinion (as am I) that the armor bonuses from the shields do not stack. They are the same type of bonus and under the rules, like bonuses do not stack. As a result, I think that the Shield Expert feat is less useful to this style than a weapon/shield style since you will always have one of your shields in place for defense unless you attack with both.

2) I am playing a Ranger/Cleric (presently Ranger 1/Cleric 3). For sheer power, the Ranger level that I took is of questionable efficacy (I would still have taken it for roleplaying reasons - He worships Obad-Hai). However, it makes for a very versitile character in terms of deciding how much offense/defense I want to have available in any given round.

3) Rather than Shield Expert, I took Improved Shield Bash. The free Bull Rush with every attack is fun and can be effective at forcing your opponents to take AoO's from your friends who threaten them. Also note that if you opt for two weapon fighting, you can bash, 5 foot step and bash again, forcing Bull Rushes on both attacks. If you hit both times and successfully Bull Rush both times, you can move an opponent around quite a bit like this. Unfortunately, my luck at hitting has been rotten and I have not been able to do this.

4) At 3rd level, I took Shield Charge which doubles your damage from a shield bash on a charge. This can get very nasty, especially if you have some help from your friends. Last combat, I shield charged an opponent for 18 damage and Bull Rushed him 5 feet. Then an ally Bull Rushed him again on his turn and knocked him back another 5 feet, leaving me enough room to charge again and finish him off.

5) Certain Cleric spells work really well with shield bashes. They are (I think - I don't have my books with me) Spikes and Brambles which add substantially to the damage you can do with the shield. Then you double that damage on a Shield Charge.

6) Don't forget that you can Ready or Loose a shield for free as part of a normal move, so long as your BAB is +1 or better.

As cool as all of that sounds, make sure that you understand the limitations of the style too. It is heavy and bulky carrying those shields around. People look at you funny and they are difficult to conceal. Also, unless you have spells running that enhance them, those shields do sub-optimal damage considering the other weapons you could be using. It is also unlikely (unless your DM is a real nice person) that you are going to find too many magical spiked shields laying around in treasure piles. If you get a chance to commission some magic shields, take it.

And have fun.

 

[reapersaurus]

Yes, shields with offensive enchantments should be cheaper than similar weapons...

Is this serious, CR?

It is quite deceptive.

I'd seriosly like to hear an official approach (Caliban?) to my 2 interpretations of the very-unclear text in the DMG regarding enchanting shields with offensive enhancements.

(i'm sure SKR is rolling in disgust somewhere...)

 

[Aluvial]

I will not argue that the rule states that two shield bonuses will not stack...

What I will say is that the rules are wrong!

You have two arms and can carry two shields. Two hunks of material to block with and therefore a better chance to block an attack and not to be hit (i.e. More AC).

It is just common sense.

Aluvial

 

[chip079]

there is a way

for wielding two shields you should check out the "IRONBOUND" PrC in the dwarf supplement book "Hammer and Helm." at 6th level they get the abillity to wield two shields and retain the AC bonuses of both. also there is an exotic shield for this class called the contoured shiled it allows youto wield a one handed wepon while wearing it. as long as this is equiped on your primary hand you will also keep the AC bonus of the shield when you attack. my dwarven fighter has just begun gaining lvls in this PrC, but it seems like it will work nicley. the clas also gains some other interesting abilities for those who like to focus on defense. well hope that this helps.

 

[reapersaurus]

Re: there is a way

the clas also gains some other interesting abilities for those who like to focus on defense. well hope that this helps.

What about for those who like to focus on OFFENSIVE capabilities of shields?


Check out my ultra-munchkin Smackdown character I created to take advantage of the Divine Might/Divine Shield combo:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30758

I broke the 2000 damage in one round 'ceiling'.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Is this serious, CR?

It is quite deceptive.

I'd seriosly like to hear an official approach (Caliban?) to my 2 interpretations of the very-unclear text in the DMG regarding enchanting shields with offensive enhancements.

I'm quite serious. Both of your approaches make shields used as offensive weapons less expensive than comparable weapons.

Under your method #1, a shield with a +5 effective offensive bonus would cost an additional 35,000 gp (total ~36,170 gp). Under method #2, it would cost an additional 50,000 gp (total ~51,170 gp).

Making a +1 longsword with a +5 effective bonus would cost 72,315 gp.

 

[Darklone]

Re: Re: Two Shields?

Also note that if you opt for two weapon fighting, you can bash, 5 foot step and bash again, forcing Bull Rushes on both attacks. If you hit both times and successfully Bull Rush both times, you can move an opponent around quite a bit like this. Unfortunately, my luck at hitting has been rotten and I have not been able to do this.

Rel, are you sure? Usually you can't take a 5ft step between attacks (would enhance cleaving VERY much).

People look at you funny and they are difficult to conceal. Also, unless you have spells running that enhance them, those shields do sub-optimal damage considering the other weapons you could be using. It is also unlikely (unless your DM is a real nice person) that you are going to find too many magical spiked shields laying around in treasure piles. If you get a chance to commission some magic shields, take it.And have fun.

Honestly, seeing someone with two shields... *LOL*

 

[Dingleberry]

Re: Re: Re: Two Shields?

Rel, are you sure? Usually you can't take a 5ft step between attacks (would enhance cleaving VERY much).

You can't with Cleave (expressly stated in Cleave benefit description), but you can when you have multiple attacks from iteratives and/or dual wielding. See PHB p. 124 under "Full Attack": "You may take the [5-foot] step before, after, or between your attacks."