Do They Stack, Snapping Turtle Style & Shield Focus


Rules Questions


I've searched the forums and have not found anything about these Feats stacking or not. Shield focuse and Greater Shield Focus stack and improve the AC of your held shield. Snapping Turtle Style, and it's two additional Feats add to your shield AC if you have an empty hand. It would be nice if they stacked but, not a deal killer for me.

I'm wanting to build a PFS PC with a crazy high AC, an Oread Warpriest that uses unarmed strikes and a heavy shield is what I'm thinking of building.


Snapping Turtle Style gives you a bonus to shield AC.
Shield Focus increases the bonus any shield gives you.

Since Snapping Turtle isn't actually a shield, and only a shield AC bonus, they do not stack.


But he will be using a shield with one hand free. Shield Focus relies on the existence of a physical shield, which he will have. Snapping Turtle Style relies on a free hand, which he will have.

I think they stack.
Heavy shield +2AC, Shield Focus +1AC, Snapping Turtle Style +1AC... Total +4AC, right?


By the rules, I don't think they stack.
+x bonus to shield ac and +x bonus to shield ac is not allowed.

But your character doesn't seem op at all, so talk to your GM and he might allow it.


With it being PFS, I'm thinking that it would be beyond my GMs ruling. But, I agree that it should not be OP, I'll be using unarmed strikes without "furry of blows". So, I'm limited to the number of attacks my normal BAB gives me. I think of it as kind of a sword a board build but, using the Oread's rock hard hands and feet instead of a heald weapon.

If they do not stack, I'll just grab the Feats in the snapping turtle tree.


Shield Focus:
You are skilled at deflecting blows with your shield.

Prerequisites: Shield Proficiency, base attack bonus +1.

Benefit: Increase the AC bonus granted by any shield you are using by 1.

This will increase AC from any shield you are using by +1.

Snapping Turtle Style:
Your deft unarmed style allows you to shield your body from harm.

Prerequisite: Improved Unarmed Strike, base attack bonus +1 or monk level 1st.

Benefit: While using the Snapping Turtle Style feat with at least one hand free, you gain a +1 shield bonus to AC.

When you have at least 1 hand free, you get a +1 Shield Bonus.

A Monk with a Heavy Shield would receive +3 AC.

Heavy Shield = +2 shield AC
Shield Focus = Improves Heavy Shield AC by +1.
Snapping Turtle Style = +1 Shield AC.

Shield bonuses do not stack. You will use the higher Heavy Shield shield AC until you do something that causes you to lose it (ex: shield bash) and then you'd get the Snapping Turtle Style shield AC until you get the higher Heavy Shield AC back.


Oh well, if they don't stack, I'll just use one of the trees then. Probably shield focus and greater shield focus. I'm not taking Two-weapon fighting so, I will not be using my shield to attack.

Some time in lvl 2 I'll have, 10 + 9 (full plate) + 1 (Dex) + 2 (heavy shield) + 1 (natural armor from an Oread alternative racial trait).

Then, as I level up I'll add +1s for each of these feats, Dodge, shield focus, armor focus and greater shield focus. Plus, there will be some situational Dodge bonuses from Feats like Mobility. Not to mention magical enhancements for the armor and shield. This should make for a decent tank.

Thanks folks.


Don't forget about the Amulet of Natural Armor (This will stack with Oread's bonus) and a Ring of Protection (deflection bonus).


1 person marked this as a favorite.
HazMatt696 wrote:

I've searched the forums and have not found anything about these Feats stacking or not. Shield focuse and Greater Shield Focus stack and improve the AC of your held shield. Snapping Turtle Style, and it's two additional Feats add to your shield AC if you have an empty hand. It would be nice if they stacked but, not a deal killer for me.

I'm wanting to build a PFS PC with a crazy high AC, an Oread Warpriest that uses unarmed strikes and a heavy shield is what I'm thinking of building.

If they stacked then Snapping Turtle Style would count as using a shield. And nobody wants that.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions / Do They Stack, Snapping Turtle Style & Shield Focus All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.