Derek the Ferret's page

Aelryinth wrote:

Keep in mind that Dex-based does not contribute well to damage, and shields are not inherently finessable. Given you're going to have a fine AC anyways (you're using a shield you're going to push to max enhancement, after all) AC isn't going to be a problem for you. I suggest you stay strength-based.

If you think you'll have the rage rounds, Furious and Courageous are indeed good choices. But remember that Furious increases your Weapon enhancement bonus, not your SHIELD enhancement bonus. Thus, using it with Defender grants you extra AC, not more th/dmg, unless you are NOT using Shield Master.

Enhancement bonuses from different sources don't stack unless they say so. Thus, enhancement from weapon and enhancement from armor are different sources, and don't stack, unless your DM house-rules otherwise. Allowing them to stack for purposes of weapon toughness/hit points really won't make much difference except come sunder time, and would fit thematically, but no, not by RAW.

Courageous on both shields is a waste. It increases morale bonuses you have...two Courageous shields will overlap, not stack, in their effect.

Furious won't stack with your Shield's Armor bonus being used by Shield Master. Unless you want it to boost defender, it'll also be wasted. You are better off with Defiant vs something...+2 to Shield AC, +2 TH/Dmg!

One of your better options might be Ghost Touch since it'll give you a Ghost Touch weapon AND defense. Combine with your other shield getting Ray Deflection or something, and you can start getting a really thorough defense.

But I'll reiterate that you probably don't need a Dex build to make this work. A 13 Starting Dex and a +6 booster at some point will get you all the Dex you need.

I'll also note the Guardian Weapon enhancement...same as defender, but SAVING THROWS. Also perfect for an Uber Shield, esp if your DM rules that Defender AC bonuses do not stack with themselves.

==Aelrynth

It doesn't contribute as well as Strength since...

Hey friendo, the Shield-Trained trait is amazing. It makes heavy shields light weapons (thus finesseable).

Well, I'm fine now. I have weapon ribbons. The Ferret has been sated

Here's my take on it: They stack. To explain this, lets look at the two feats in question.

Feral Combat Training

Prerequisite: Improved Unarmed Strike, Weapon Focus with selected natural weapon.

Benefit: Choose one of your natural weapons. While using the selected natural weapon, you can apply the effects of feats that have Improved Unarmed Strike as a prerequisite, as well as effects that augment an unarmed strike.

Special: If you are a monk, you can use the selected natural weapon with your flurry of blows class feature.

Improved Natural Attack

Prerequisite: Natural weapon, base attack bonus +4.

Benefit: Choose one of the creature's natural attack forms (not an unarmed strike). The damage for this natural attack increases by one step on the following list, as if the creature's size had increased by one category. Damage dice increase as follows: 1d2, 1d3, 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 2d6, 3d6, 4d6, 6d6, 8d6, 12d6.

A weapon or attack that deals 1d10 points of damage increases as follows: 1d10, 2d8, 3d8, 4d8, 6d8, 8d8, 12d8.

Special: This feat can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, it applies to a different natural attack.

So FCT says that you can augment a natural attack with things that apply to unarmed strikes. Mostly monk unarmed strike damage. SO you use your MUS damage with, say, your bite. Does it change this bite from a natural attack to an unarmed strike? No. It is still a bite. Therefore you can apply INA to the new damage number to this natural attack, bite.