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Okay, kinda obscure, yet hopefully very simple. Character in question would be a Core PFS Sorcerer.
If I take a Mithril Shield my armor check is zero (heavy or light), so actually having proficency in shields is rather pointless (unless I need it as a prerequisite, like shield focus).
However, if I want to bash with the shield, I assume I'd need proficency in shield bash, since it's considered a martial weapon...? So would I need the Martial Weapon Proficency (Shield Bash) to avoid the non-proficency penalty on attack?
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Yes a shield is a martial weapon when used for bashing so you would need the proficiency to do so, but you use the AC bonus without improved shield bash.
You could alternatively make the shield of darkwood The armor check penalty of a darkwood shield is lessened by 2 compared to an ordinary shield of its type. To determine the price of a darkwood item, use the original weight but add 10 gp per pound to the price of a masterwork version of that item. it's a little cheaper but doesn't reduce the weight
Relevant FAQ.
Armor proficiencies and weapon proficiencies are different things.
Table 6–4: Weapon (page 142) lists light shields, heavy shields, and spiked shields as martial weapons. The shield bash attacks entries (page 152) say that using a shield in this way is a "martial bludgeoning weapon."
Regardless of whether or not you are proficient in wearing a shield for defense, attacking with a shield is using a martial weapon and you take appropriate penalties if you are not proficient in martial weapons (for example, if you are a cleric, you take a –4 nonproficiency penalty when making shield bash attacks because you are not proficient in martial weapons).
I don't think that Martial Weapon Proficiency (shield bash) exists. I believe you would need MWP in a particular type of shield like light shield or heavy spiked shield and that this would only remove the nonproficiency penalty for that type. (Unless you dip to get proficiency with all martial weapons.)
Yes a shield is a martial weapon when used for bashing so you would need the proficiency to do so, but you use the AC bonus without improved shield bash.
You could alternatively make the shield of darkwood The armor check penalty of a darkwood shield is lessened by 2 compared to an ordinary shield of its type. To determine the price of a darkwood item, use the original weight but add 10 gp per pound to the price of a masterwork version of that item. it's a little cheaper but doesn't reduce the weight
Darkwood does not reduce ASF
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So, since the Heavy/Light Shield is considered a weapon, can I take one for a Bonded Item (Core PFS character)? What about a Buckler (Definitely not a weapon)?
Oh, a Mithril Shield is consider Silver for penetrating DR when bashing, right?
And last question (Hopefully), Can a character equip muliple Shields? Obviously, you'd only retain the one shield bonus and any penalties (like arcane spell failure, or armor check) would stack, but it could be useful if your opponent was keen on sundering, or if going for a shield bashing character.
I don't think that Martial Weapon Proficiency (shield bash) exists. I believe you would need MWP in a particular type of shield like light shield or heavy spiked shield and that this would only remove the nonproficiency penalty for that type. (Unless you dip to get proficiency with all martial weapons.)Sorry, yeah, I agree. I was refering to it in a more general manner, but what I mean is Martial Weapon Proficency (Heavy Shield) or Martial Weapon Proficency (Light Shield). I didn't mean to imply I could gain a collective Shield Bash proficiency.
Yes a shield is a martial weapon when used for bashing so you would need the proficiency to do so, but you use the AC bonus without improved shield bash.
You could alternatively make the shield of darkwood The armor check penalty of a darkwood shield is lessened by 2 compared to an ordinary shield of its type. To determine the price of a darkwood item, use the original weight but add 10 gp per pound to the price of a masterwork version of that item. it's a little cheaper but doesn't reduce the weight
That's a good point too. I've only recently noticed that having proficency in armor/shields isn't needed if the armor check is 0. I guess it's because I usually take the heaviest armor (and tower shields), so the idea of having zero armor check is semi-ficticious...
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Heavy and light shields are martial weapons, unless you have the gorumite trait shield trained, in which case they are simple weapons. If your class doesn't grant proficiency in all martial weapons, or all simple weapons with the trait, the. You would need a feat for proficiency.
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@Murdock
That poses an interesting question. I doubt you could take a buckler as a bonded item since it doesn't fall into the weapon category, but a shield does. If a wizard can select a shield as his bonded item, would he be able to enchant it as a shield and weapon or just as a weapon?
Well, there are actual archetypes that can specifically take a shield for their bonded item. There are also archetypes that can use the buckler to make shield bash attacks, so it could be considered a weapon, in the same respect that shields are weapons, even if the sorcerer lacks the ability use it as a weapon. All very unclear.
In any case, the bonded item rules do not grant any ability to enchant the item differently than the normal item creation rules. So even if the Sorcerer took a light shield or buckler as his weapon, they'd still need to follow the magic item creation rules.
Yeah, don't waste the feat, take a 1 level dip in Eldritch Guardian fighter archetype! All the proficiencies, BAB of fighter, perception as a class skill, the boost on fort save, AND.YOU.GET.A.FAMILIAR!
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Yeah, don't waste the feat, take a 1 level dip in Eldritch Guardian fighter archetype! All the proficiencies, BAB of fighter, perception as a class skill, the boost on fort save, AND.YOU.GET.A.FAMILIAR!
Not really an option. This would be for a Core PFS Sorcerer. In Core PFS, you can only use content from the CRB (and a few others, but mainly the CRB). So no fancy archetypes or feats from outside sources.
But you are correct, I could level dip into another class to gain proficiency instead of spending feats.
Bummer.. So no Familiar Folio? What about Advanced Class Guide?
Do a 1 level dip in Skald then, you get so much versatility, still perception as class skill, fort and will bump, martial and shield proficiency. Couple songs, inspired rage (which is impressive moral bonus to con, anyone drops you start singing, boost their con and they're back up) and you're still a charisma based character. Plus you'll get two first level bard spells known, CURE LIGHT WOUNDS, baby!
I guess if what they say is true, then yeah, 1 level dip ranger would be the bronze medal- BAB, fort, ref, perception. See if you can trade Track out for something different. It's normally a waste, especially when you have a decent perception to notice tracks.