Shield Bash rules?

[Dakeith]

So, I've been trying to read up on the exact specifics of the rules for shield bashing, and I'm slightly confused when it comes to the penalties, since nothing I've read specifies these. So what are they? If you shield bash with a heavy shield do you use two weapon fighting rules? The -6 and -10 penalty? Also, what happens if you don't shield bash that round, would your main hand weapon still have a penalty, or would it be normal?

Also, for the purpose of any other two handed weapon feats, like two weapon defense, can you stack defensive bonuses? For example, what I'm going for is having both shield focus, which adds +1 to shield AC, and two weapon defense, which would add yet another +1 shield bonus. And then just thinking about other things as well, would something like two weapon rend work as well? I don't know why it shouldn't, since a shield bash is still an attack, but I just want to make sure.

[Jeraa]

Quote:

If you shield bash with a heavy shield do you use two weapon fighting rules?

If you also attack with a weapon, yes. Assuming you are actually using two-weapon fighting. If you don't use the extra attack, it doesn't count as two-weapon fighting. As long as you don't make more attacks than your base attack bonus allows, it isn't two-weapon fighting.

Quote:

For example, what I'm going for is having both shield focus, which adds +1 to shield AC, and two weapon defense, which would add yet another +1 shield bonus.

Two Weapon Defense grants a shield bonus, which wouldn't stack with the shield bonus from a shield.

[Aelryinth]

1)A shield is treated as a one handed or light weapon, and you would take all the penalties for using such in a shield bash.

Thus, an effective shield bash build requires the TWF feat, to obviate the penalties.

2)If you don't bash, its exactly like NOT attacking with a second weapon...no TWF penalties for either weapon. You could even switch off attacks if you like - if you got attacks at +6/+1, for instance, you could take your first attack with your sword and second with your shield, and there'd be no penalties. It's if you go for the extra offhand attacks that the penalties kick in.

3)The two feats would not stack, as they both provide a +1 shield bonus, and like bonuses do not stack. Shield focus specifically provides a +1 to your Shield's AC, while TWD provides a +1 Shield bonus as if it were a shield. They definitely do not stack.

4) Two weapon rend will work if you bash. It's still an off-hand attack.

==Aelryinth