Ways to have a "buckler".

[Whisperknives]

So my character plan is this.
A graceful swashbuckler type character, who uses a rapier in one hand but I would like him to use a "shield" in the other hand that is not a shield.

I know there is a feat that let's you use a cape or sash as a buckler, which I like.

However, I would really like it if he could somehow use his scabbard as a buckler.

Any feat, trait, magic item that can pull that off?

[Darksol the Painbringer]

There is the Shield Gauntlet Style Feat Chain that lets you treat a Gauntlet/Spiked Gauntlet you wear as a shield that grants a +1 Bonus. It also counts as a Buckler for feats/abilities that rely on it, and it still treats you as having a free hand.

It requires Weapon Focus in your Gauntlet/Spiked Gauntlet, though, and that you normally have proficiency in bucklers and light shields.

[pauljathome]

If this is for a home game, I'd just ask the GM if you could use a cloak as a buckler. I'd certainly allow it with some minor modifications ( easier to sunder/disarm)

[SlimGauge]

Well, there *IS* a Cloak Shield but it's treated as an actual light shield. If your GM allows item modification, just borrow it and have it behave as a masterwork buckler instead.

There is also the Dueling Cape Deed. It's a combat/panache feat, so it might not help you if you aren't actually a swashbuckler.

See also the Equipment Tricks for Cloaks from the Dirty Tactics Toolbox.

[Whisperknives]

SlimGauge wrote:

Well, there *IS* a Cloak Shield but it's treated as an actual light shield. If your GM allows item modification, just borrow it and have it behave as a masterwork buckler instead.

There is also the Dueling Cape Deed. It's a combat/panache feat, so it might not help you if you aren't actually a swashbuckler.

Dueling Cape Deed is my backup plan if I can not find a way to use a scabbard as a buckler.

Essentially I am trying to build Killer Number 2, from the movie Bunraku if you have seen it.

If not, you should check it out, fun movie.

[CBDunkerson]

I doubt you'll find anything treating a scabbard as a buckler because Pathfinder bucklers are worn on the wrist / forearm while a scabbard would obviously need to be held in the hand.

That said, Two-Weapon Defense with a sword and combat scabbard would give you a +1 shield bonus.

[Grumbaki]

Just fluff it up. Give him a buckler mechanically and call it a cloak. Or I suppose a scizore? It gives +1 shield bonus.

[Whisperknives]

I am just going to give him a "buckler", that is his sheath of his sword.

Considering it would occupy my hand while a buckler would not I am sure that would be a fair trade of a negative to have it be a scabbard.

[BadBird]

It's a rather hefty investment depending on how you go about it, but the Crane Style chain ends up granting a pretty immense defensive bonus for having a "free hand". When the whole chain is complete, you're getting +9AC with a chance to score a free counter-attack on a near-miss. It's fairly simple to grab with a level of something like Unarmed Fighter or Monk.

[Paradozen]

You could take two levels of the duelist PrC, and Two-Weapon Fight with a combat scabbard and rapier. Two-weapon defense gives a +1 shield bonus, and you can give up the attacks with the scabbard for parry.