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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rel" data-source="post: 477654" data-attributes="member: 99">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.</blockquote>

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