Arrow Deflecting enchant and Deflect Arrows feat

[Ruike]

Arrow Deflection enchant:

Arrow Deflection: This shield protects the wielder as if he had the Deflect Arrows feat. Once per round when he would normally be struck by a ranged weapon, he can make a DC 20 Reflex save. If the ranged weapon (or piece of ammunition)has an enhancement bonus, the DC increases by that amount.If he succeeds, the shield deflects the weapon. He must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Attempting to deflect a ranged weapon doesn’t count as an action. Exceptional ranged weapons, such as boulders hurled by giants or acid arrows,can’t be deflected.
Faint abjuration; CL 5th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor,
shield; Price +2 bonus.

Deflect Arrows:

Deflect Arrows (Combat)
You can knock arrows and other projectiles off course,
preventing them from hitting you.
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Improved Unarmed Strike.
Benefit: You must have at least one hand free (holding
nothing) to use this feat. Once per round when you would
normally be hit with an attack from a ranged weapon, you
may def lect it so that you take no damage from it. You
must be aware of the attack and not f lat-footed. Attempting
to def lect a ranged attack doesn’t count as an action.
Unusually massive ranged weapons (such as boulders or
ballista bolts) and ranged attacks generated by natural
attacks or spell effects can’t be def lected.

So if I read this right the shield enchant gives you the feat while equiped but then describes a reflex save. But the descriptions don't match up. The feat lets you automatically deflect the first ranged attack against you each round but the enchant lets you make a reflex save for the first attack that would hit you. Is this intentional? If so do they stack? like you automatically deflect the first and the next that would hit you makes a save? Or is it only one or the other? the feat also says you must have a free hand but since the enchant is on a shield it wouldn't likely be considered free, is this the cause of the difference?

[Scipion del Ferro]

Well if you put that enchantment on a buckler or light shield you would have a hand free to catch arrows with.

Since the enchantment says it takes up no actions I would say you could use both of them and just pick which one you wanted to do first. It is a +2 enhancement after all.

[FallingIcicle]

"This shield protects the wielder as if he had the Deflect Arrows feat."

The shield basically gives you the feat while you wield it. Since feats don't stack with themselves, I would say you couldn't use both.

[Scipion del Ferro]

It's kind of weird though because of the Reflex save, not identical... One implies you use the shield to deflect the arrow, the other you knock it away with your hand. Given the limited amount of times PC are being shot at and the fact this only applies to arrows, I'd say investing the gold/feat for the ability is already payment enough for it. I mean a +2 enhancement is pretty hefty to just deflect arrows.

[Ruike]

FallingIcicle wrote:

"This shield protects the wielder as if he had the Deflect Arrows feat."

The shield basically gives you the feat while you wield it. Since feats don't stack with themselves, I would say you couldn't use both.

Right, obviously having the real feat wouldn't stack with the shield part that says it gives you the feat. I'm assuming a character doesn't have the real feat. But the description for the way you deflect is different than the feat so that's where I'm confused, do you just negate the first ranged attack, roll a save for it, or negate the first then save for second.

After all it is a hefty +2 bonus, which if that were applied as a straight up shield bonus would be 10% less hits from <i> every </i> melee and ranged attack, not just one nonmagical ranged per round. Depending on what you're fighting that can be for better or worse, but that is part of the game.