Shield + free hand magus?

['Rixx]

Could a magus who takes proficiency in a shield use his Arcane Weapon ability to add enhancements to his shield as a weapon? (I.E. bonus to attack rolls and damage, special properties, etc.) Or would something like shield spikes be required?

I think an interesting magus would be one who fights using a shield, using his free hand to cast spells. Of course, you'd have to deal with arcane spell failure, though there's ways around that (Quick Draw + Quickdraw Shield, Arcane Armor Training, etc.), and the benefit isn't too spectacular unless the shield is enchanted defensively. Combined with the shield throwing tricks in the Arms & Equipment Guide, you could even be some kind of "Captain Ameragus" character, throwing your shield at enemies between spellcastings.

Would shield proficiency be worth it for a magus, if the shield was also their primary weapon?

[Dorje Sylas]

The only quibble I see is if you can use two off-hand attacks. By the wording both Shield (Bash) and the Spell (of Spell Combat) are both off-hand attacks/weapons. Can you use a shield bash in place of your main hand attack? Could you use the Spell instead? Would the penalties be different?

A light mithral metal shield would negate the ASF. A heavy mithral metal shield would be usable with Arcane Armor Training. Quick Draw + Quickdraw Shield is perhaps the better option in terms of overall versatility.

The spikes on a shield count as a weapon for enhancement, and independent of the shield. You would need to buy/make a shield with masterwork spikes.

['Rixx]

That's an interesting question! I don't see any reason why a shield bash would HAVE to be an off-hand attack (it's certainly <i>possible</i> to use a shield in your dominant hand), but the rules are king in some circles (PFS included).

(Also, I meant the Adventurer's Armory, heheh..)

[Phasics]

I'm pretty sure there been a few other thread on using shields as main weapon

and the nuts of it was that is you had sword and shield and only use shield during the attack it was considered main weapon for that attack and not offhand

I assume this is being suggested to boost the Magus's AC

does mean you'll need to take a coupe of feats to keep the shield AC bonus while attacking

and I think you'll need shield spikes so you can add your arcane bond enchantment to them since a shield can't be given keen for example.

[Matthew Morris]

Hmm, Captain Arcana anyone? ;-)

(Yes, I know he's holding a sword, it's still the first image that popped into my mind. I can't find a good one of the alternate cover)