I need to clarify a few things here.
Bull Rush uses CMB.
Bull Rush Strike uses Weapon's Confirm Critical Attack Rolls.
Shield Slam uses Shield's Attack Rolls.
Bull Rush and Bull Rush Strike can't be used to push someone into a solid object or obstacle. (Okay for traps, pits, lava, etc.)
When Shield Slam "bull rushes" an opponent into to a wall or other surfaces, they are knocked prone.
Improved Bull Rush and Greater Bull Rush completely works with Bull Rush.
Only Greater Bull Rush "movement provokes attacks of opportunity from all of your allies (but not you)" part works for Shield Slam and Bull Rush Strike; because they use Attack Rolls, and not CMB checks.
All Bull Rush attempts, regardless of method, must be against opponent's CMD.
Must I "bull rush" every time I Shield Bash while having Shield Slam?
I think RAW yes. RAI, No.
Do I have the gist of it?
Am I missing something?
Thank You SlimGauge for adding the feats' text and wording.
Don't know why I didn't do it myself, it is kind of important.
Must I "bull rush" every time I Shield Bash while having Shield Slam?
I think RAW yes. RAI, No.
Do I have the gist of it?
Am I missing something?
Can't really say for sure that the RAI is that it's an optional benefit.
Good point. It is a little arrogant of me to assume what other people intentions are.
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Shield Slam is from the CRB, whose Feats chapter explains how to read those statblocks:
Benefit: What the feat enables the character ("you" in the feat description) to do.
That language suggests that using a feat is an "option" that you can use at your pleasure; it's the result of special training. In the CRB, every feat is "good for you", all downsides are "use-activated" like taking penalties from Power Attack only if you actively use it.
In later books some feats appear that also have continuously active downsides, like Fey Foundling's vulnerability to cold iron. Those fuel the debate on whether you should be able to turn feats off to avoid downsides.
In my view, you cannot turn off feat effects clearly meant to be downsides (Fey Foundling). But Shield Slam is not clearly meant to be a downside; it's written more like a special ability that you can choose to use.
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TL;DR - You don't have to use your feats, except for things very clearly meant as continuous downsides, those can't be shut off.
Thank you Ascalaphus, for the words from CRB, page 113. With this, I MAY be able to turn off shield slam.