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I decided to build a "sword-and-board" fighter to take advantage of the new shield combat feats, and I ran into the big change from Improved Shield Bash to Deft Shield: Two-Weapon Fighting as a prerequisite.
Mechanically, this makes sense, as making a shield bash is technically a 2-weapon attack. But I think it takes something away from specific fighter types.
A two-weapon fighter has the Two-Weapon feats.
A big, 2-handed weapon fighter has the Overhand Chop progression.
An archer has the Point Blank Shot progression.
An unarmed fighter has the Scorpion Style progression.
The weapon-and-shield fighter has the Deft Shield progression, but he needs Two-Weapon Fighting first.
Why is this a problem? Because if I have to get TWF anyways to shield bash, the min-maxer in me would say just use a short sword (better damage, increased threat range) and take Two-Weapon Defense. I get a better attack and the AC bonus. Especially if I have to wait until 6th level to get the next shield feat (Shield Slam).
There's no reason (other than roleplaying) to be a sword-and-board fighter with shield bash, because a normal two-weapon fighter would be more effective.
Of course, I might still take TWF to reduce the penalties on my shield bash, but I don't like being required to take it.
Maybe there could be another feat to replace TWF as a prerequisite, something like:
Weapon-and-Shield Style
You are specialized in fighting with a weapon and shield. You are skilled in making a shield bash along with your normal weapon attack.
Prerequisite: Dex 15.
Benefit: Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced when fighting with a weapon and shield only. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6. See the Two-Weapon Fighting special attack.
Normal: You can bash an opponent with a light shield or heavy shield, using it as an off-hand martial bludgeoning weapon. When fighting in this way you suffer a -6 penalty with your regular attack or attacks with your primary hand and a -10 penalty to the shield bash with your off hand. For the purpose of penalties on attack rolls, treat a heavy shield as a one-handed weapon and a light shield as a light weapon. If your off-hand weapon is light the penalties are reduced by 2 each. If you use your shield as a weapon, you lose its AC bonus until your next action (usually until the next round).
This is effectively the same as Two-Weapon Fighting, but restricted to shields. Two-Weapon Fighting should probably be modified to NOT apply to shields as a result. And then you would have feats for distinct fighting styles.
Maybe to further separate it from Two-Weapon Fighting, it could also allow you to reduce the shield's Armor Check penalty by 1. Something affecting AC would be better, but then you're straying into Deft Shield's area.
Any other ideas or comments?
I already posted some opinions regarding the new shield feats in Jason's "New Combat Feats" thread, but I'll add a little here.
I don't particularly like that all the shield feats are geared toward offense. A shield is a great defense, and I would like to see a few feats that help to improve that defense. That said, a shield does have a few offensive uses that don't involve slamming it into your opponent. It can be used to pin an opponent's weapon, or to actively move the weapon out of the way, or even to move an opponent's shield in a direction that makes an opening for an attack. It can also be used to disguise some of your own attacks. These things are all a bit more subtle than the moves you normally see represented in D&D combat, but could still be done through feats.
As far as Deft Shield goes, I also believe it should not require the Two-Weapon Fighting feat. As a fighter in the SCA, I've got to say I'm a horrible two-weapon fighter. I cannot swing a sword with my left hand. About the only weapon I can use in that hand is a mace, because it doesn't really matter what part of it hits your opponent (it's a little like a shotgun in that respect). However, when I fight with a sword & shield, I can pull off those maneuvers I described above- pinning weapons, moving shields, and more. Being able to use my shield to manipulate my opponent's weapon or shield does not require me to be any good at fighting with two weapons. But we also aren't allowed to strike our opponent with our shield.
Randy
Agreed. The feat progression from PHB 2; Shield Specialization, Improved Shield Bash (or Deft Shield as the case may be), and Agile Shield Fighter is a much more realistic and attractive choice. It gets rid of the massive penalty for attacking with a heavy shield in your off hand long before you can get your Base attack bonus up to a whopping +11. The ability to add the Shields magical bonus to attack/damage rolls is cool but at minimum 11th level is too little too late, IMHO.
A switch to something similar to the feat tree in PHB 2 would be desirable.