Looking for a TWF shield bashing build

[Karl Hammarhand]

Hi,
I am building (probably) a ranger whose main job will be to be the frontline fighter. I want for character and esthetic reasons to be packing a spiked shield and sword or axe along with medium armor. Any build suggestions?
Thanks,
Karl

[Imbicatus]

It's pretty simple really, just boost STR, leave DEX low, Sword and Shield style TWF at 2nd and Shield master at 6th. Shield master negates the need for a spiked shield or enchanting your shield as a weapon. Pick up Shield Slam for free bull rushes. If you really want to be focued on shield combat, after you get shield master at 6th, multiclass to brawler fighter for close combatant bonuses to your shield attacks and fight with two shields.

[Karl Hammarhand]

Imbicatus wrote:

It's pretty simple really, just boost STR, leave DEX low, Sword and Shield style TWF at 2nd and Shield master at 6th. Shield master negates the need for a spiked shield or enchanting your shield as a weapon. Pick up Shield Slam for free bull rushes. If you really want to be focued on shield combat, after you get shield master at 6th, multiclass to brawler fighter for close combatant bonuses to your shield attacks and fight with two shields.

Two shields does that really work? I was adding the spike for looks mostly. Are there mechanics that make that a bad choice?

thanks for the advice sounds very good.

[XMorsX]

Also, check this build, it is based on the principles Imbicatus explained.

[Magpied]

I saw this build a while ago, and it seems to be exactly what you are looking for. A high defense, high offense fighter. Your non combat abilities will probably suffer, but chances are since you are playing a fighter that won't matter to you.

[Karl Hammarhand]

Thank for all the great answers. I forgot to add he'll need to scout and occasionally break traps or open locks (thus the Ranger).

Would that change anything significantly? Nobody else is willing to practice the stealthy arts at all so I decided to step up.

Now I want a shield and sword guy (someone else already has an archery ranger) and I hate giving up my first concept because this game makes rogues so unpalatable that noobs (we're all first time players of Pathfinder) are actively discouraged to play them.

[Makarion]

Consider the Slayer from the ACG playtest. They can choose ranger fighting style feats, with all the usual no-prerequisite benefits, as slayer tricks, as well as many rogue talents. And they are a full-BAB d10 class, with good skill points and 2 good saves. Admittedly, you give up the ranger spells if you go that route.

[Karl Hammarhand]

Makarion wrote:

Consider the Slayer from the ACG playtest. They can choose ranger fighting style feats, with all the usual no-prerequisite benefits, as slayer tricks, as well as many rogue talents. And they are a full-BAB d10 class, with good skill points and 2 good saves. Admittedly, you give up the ranger spells if you go that route.

Thanks, I hate to further display my ignorance of all things Pathfinder but what is the ACG playtest and where do I find it when it?

Thanks,
Karl

[Cheburn]

Karl Hammarhand wrote:

Thank for all the great answers. I forgot to add he'll need to scout and occasionally break traps or open locks (thus the Ranger).

Would that change anything significantly? Nobody else is willing to practice the stealthy arts at all so I decided to step up.

Now I want a shield and sword guy (someone else already has an archery ranger) and I hate giving up my first concept because this game makes rogues so unpalatable that noobs (we're all first time players of Pathfinder) are actively discouraged to play them.

Especially at lower levels, you may suffer from an Armor Check Penalty (ACP). As an example:

If you're using a Breastplate and a Heavy Shield, you'll have a -7 penalty on both your Stealth and Disable Device rolls.

Some of the higher level armor (Celestial Armor e.g.) have good AC and relatively low ACP, and using Mithral reduces it further, but it may be an issue at lower levels before you have access to there items.

[Makarion]

Karl Hammarhand wrote:

Makarion wrote:

Consider the Slayer from the ACG playtest. They can choose ranger fighting style feats, with all the usual no-prerequisite benefits, as slayer tricks, as well as many rogue talents. And they are a full-BAB d10 class, with good skill points and 2 good saves. Admittedly, you give up the ranger spells if you go that route.

Thanks, I hate to further display my ignorance of all things Pathfinder but what is the ACG playtest and where do I find it when it?

Thanks,
Karl

A few months ago there was a playtest for the upcoming Advanced Class Guide (ACG), and the material for it was available as a free download. Early December, if I recall correctly, there was an updated version of the playtest document as well. It's still legal for Pathfinder Society, so I assume it's available as a download somewhere, although I cannot currently find it on the Paizo download site.

[Karl Hammarhand]

Makarion wrote:

Karl Hammarhand wrote:

Makarion wrote:

Consider the Slayer from the ACG playtest. They can choose ranger fighting style feats, with all the usual no-prerequisite benefits, as slayer tricks, as well as many rogue talents. And they are a full-BAB d10 class, with good skill points and 2 good saves. Admittedly, you give up the ranger spells if you go that route.

Thanks, I hate to further display my ignorance of all things Pathfinder but what is the ACG playtest and where do I find it when it?

Thanks,
Karl

A few months ago there was a playtest for the upcoming Advanced Class Guide (ACG), and the material for it was available as a free download. Early December, if I recall correctly, there was an updated version of the playtest document as well. It's still legal for Pathfinder Society, so I assume it's available as a download somewhere, although I cannot currently find it on the Paizo download site.

Thank you to all found the slayer will give it a go.