I recently created a character for Tyrant's Grasp, and my GM is using Spheres of Might. I really like some of the Shield sphere abilities, but my build revolves around a greatsword. Is there any way, in base Pathfinder or in Spheres, for a greatsword to be considered a shield for the Shield sphere's Active Defense ability? The only workaround I'm seeing is using a buckler and the Unhindering Shield feat. That puts it off until level 8 for me, so I was curious if there was a way to do it sooner.
The Shield sphere, unsurprisingly, really wants you to spend one of your hands on a shield to get its benefits. As far as I am aware there is nothing to allow a 2H character easier access to the sphere.
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If you happen to have a tail there's some of the martial monster talents in the back that serve to let you treat that as a shield. Otherwise, we didn't really add many ways for you to bypass needing a shield other than maybe Gauntlet Shield? Since it lets you treat a gauntlet as a buckler that would technically qualify you for most of the Shield talents, though the degree to which you'd be able to use them might vary a bit (you'd need something like the Bashing Shield talent before you could use Punch Block, for example, since you wouldn't normally be able to shield bash with a gauntlet). Just be ready for the GM to eye you askance if you try to use Shield Skate with your gauntlet :P
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Thanks a ton you guys, especially nice to hear from one of the designers! You guys made an awesome product. It's looking like I'll have to wait and use a buckler, but that's fine by me. Now I'm picturing somebody surfing down a hill in the palm of a giant gauntlet, which I gotta say is pretty hilarious.
I actually came up with a way to do this, though it's probably inappropriate for your character: if you find a way to get the Vestigial Arms Alchemist discovery you can use your third arm to get the benefits of a shield while still two-handing your greatsword.