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After really reading the Weapon and Shield Combat Style from the APG, I realized that it should really be called, "Two-Weapon Fighting with a Weapon and Shield Combat Style."
All but three feats require TWF, and of those, only two can be applied to a buckler.
So, a suggestion for a new Ranger Combat Style:
Weapon and Buckler: If the ranger selects weapon and buckler style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat: Dodge, Quick Draw, Shield Focus, Weapon Focus. At 6th level he adds Shield Specialization (Buckler) and Vital Strike to the list. At 10th level, he adds Greater Shield Focus and Greater Weapon Focus to the list.
Weapon and Buckler: If the ranger selects weapon and buckler style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat: Dodge, Quick Draw, Shield Focus, Weapon Focus. At 6th level he adds Shield Specialization (Buckler) and Vital Strike to the list. At 10th level, he adds Greater Shield Focus and Greater Weapon Focus to the list.
What exactly do any of those feats have to do with a Buckler? I mean, obviously, shield spec and greater shield spec, but otherwise, none of the feats even reference the buckler? Dodge? Quickdraw? Vital Strike? I don't get the theme at all. It just looks like, "this is a list of feats I want, so they should be in this style."
What exactly is this fighting style anyway? The Buckler is kind of a, well, pointless item. I understand not wanting to dual wield, but why do you want to use a buckler over a better shield or a two-handed weapon?
The Weapon and Shield feats are designed to let you actually use the shield in the fight, and not just have it sit there and provide a passive benefit. I see nothing wrong with this.
I just proposed the thread as a new Combat Style in addition to the existing ones.
Shields are about defense. Weapons are about offense. How about a style that actually lets you do both? From your reasoning, the Weapon and Shield style should just be Shield style.
The Weapon and Shield style is fine--if that's what you want.
Half the feats in my proposed style are for offense, and half for defense. Any style with "and" in the title should be about BOTH.
As for why a buckler has merit:
Your hand is free, so you can temporarily give up your shield bonus to cast a spell or do something requiring both hands--such as using a bow.
You can't do either of those things with any other shield--not without completely taking the shield off.
I think it has some appeal to introduce a 'weapon and bluckler' style, with some offense and defensive abilities. Such a character may find useful to skirmish, keeping the armor bonus of the shield and taking the most benefits from a talent that normally finds little use: vital strike.
For me, the ranged combat style is the best: it gives you access to some nasty ranged talents without forcing you into useless pre-requisites. My favorite ranger uses the bow, and boost strength to increase arrows damage and swing properly some nasty two-handed weapon!
:)