Shield Magus: could it work?

[OmegaZ]

Wondering if playing a magus wielding a spiked shield would be a good idea. They're not proficient with it, so it would cost a feat or a dip into another class, but I kinda like the idea. Get it spiked and masterwork (Heirloom Weapon trait I'm thinking), go for the shield feat-tree, and use wands in the other hand.

Could this be good or is not an effective/efficient build? Thanks in advance!

[Charberus]

You can use the shield if it is the main weapon. It does require Shield prof. even if you take Heirloom weapon (because the feat is needed for other shield bashing feats).

With a light shield or buckler, you can use a wand in that hand. So, you can have your other hand free for casting spells.

As for effecient, probably not. You can get a better AC from the Shield spell, and that spell also blocks magic missles and helps on touch attacks. Plus, with the shield spell, you don't need to use feats for it. Once you get high enough, just having a wand of this is good.

[OmegaZ]

Okay, this makes sense. Thanks for the advice Charberus, I still working out what's effective and what isn't. Shame, the idea in my head was pretty cool. Oh well.

[Cold Napalm]

Cool is a reason to do it anyways. Not everything has to be about optimal efficiency.

[Kierato]

Cold Napalm wrote:

Cool is a reason to do it anyways. Not everything has to be about optimal efficiency.

+1

[Synapse]

It can be done, you have to pay the following prices:
1) Proficiency
2) Shield cost
3) Arcane Spell failure

Other than that, without a feat of some sort that allows you to attack with the shield and defend at the same time, you will not benefit from your shield as a shield (ac, special effects) on the rounds you attack with the spike.

[KaeYoss]

Synapse wrote:

It can be done, you have to pay the following prices:

1) Proficiency
2) Shield cost
3) Arcane Spell failure

You missed one:

4) Looking utterly ridiculous

;-P

[KaeYoss]

Charberus wrote:

You can get a better AC from the Shield spell, and that spell also blocks magic missles and helps on touch attacks.

With a sufficiently magical shield, the bonus is better than the shield spell.

And the shield spell does not help you against touch attacks. The only exception are incorporeal touch attacks. So if a ghost wants to molest you, you're fine, but if a wizard just wants to turn you into a pinch of dust, the shield spell won't help you.

[Kierato]

Synapse wrote:

It can be done, you have to pay the following prices:

1) Proficiency
2) Shield cost
3) Arcane Spell failure

Other than that, without a feat of some sort that allows you to attack with the shield and defend at the same time, you will not benefit from your shield as a shield (ac, special effects) on the rounds you attack with the spike.

A mithral shield has no arcane spell failure.

[Synapse]

Kierato wrote:

Synapse wrote:

It can be done, you have to pay the following prices:

1) Proficiency
2) Shield cost
3) Arcane Spell failure

Other than that, without a feat of some sort that allows you to attack with the shield and defend at the same time, you will not benefit from your shield as a shield (ac, special effects) on the rounds you attack with the spike.

A mithral shield has no arcane spell failure.

That is a way, correct. And using a mithral shield is "paying" the price =P It could be adamantine instead!

[Kierato]

Synapse wrote:

Kierato wrote:

Synapse wrote:

It can be done, you have to pay the following prices:

1) Proficiency
2) Shield cost
3) Arcane Spell failure

Other than that, without a feat of some sort that allows you to attack with the shield and defend at the same time, you will not benefit from your shield as a shield (ac, special effects) on the rounds you attack with the spike.

A mithral shield has no arcane spell failure.

That is a way, correct. And using a mithral shield is "paying" the price =P It could be adamantine instead!

True, true.