While 2-handing a shield was certainly possible in 3.5, it's unfortunately not possible in Pathfinder.
"You can bash an opponent with a shield, using it as an off-hand weapon. Used this way, a shield is a martial bludgeoning weapon."
I was attempting to make a character that had a good balance of both offense and defense and I saw that heavy shields are one-handed weapons. I'm assuming that you can then wield it in 2 hands to gain the additional damage and with improved shield bash you can maintain the ac bonus.
Odd mental picture but this could be a really good option. A balance of both offense and defense.
So does this work? and also would it work with shield of swings?
if so, full plate+heavy shield+shield of swings+shield spec+fighting defensively would be a nice 29 ac at lvl 1 :)
You can by the rules use your shield two handed for extra damage. You may not purchase full plate at level 1. you do not qualify for shield spec at level one nor does shield spec add to your AC, just AC vs criticals. Shield of Swings is a shield bonus so it does not stack with your shield bonus from your shield. Otherwise you are good.
You may not purchase full plate at level 1.
And why is that, exactly?
I was attempting to make a character that had a good balance of both offense and defense and I saw that heavy shields are one-handed weapons. I'm assuming that you can then wield it in 2 hands to gain the additional damage and with improved shield bash you can maintain the ac bonus.
In general you can use a one-handed weapon is two-hands to add 1-1/2 times your strength bonus to damage.
So does this work? and also would it work with shield of swings?
No, just because you are wielding it in two hands does not make it a two-handed weapon, it is still a one-handed weapon.
if so, full plate+heavy shield+shield of swings+shield spec+fighting defensively would be a nice 29 ac at lvl 1 :)
If you use the shield for an attack you lose it AC bonus (without improved shield bash), shield of swings only works with two-handed weapons (as noted above) even if it did it wouldn't stack with your shield bonus, shield specialization only works against rolls to confirm a critical.
James Jacobs has addressed that this is not true. Check for a thread on handedness. I don't know how to post links - or really care enough to learn - so if you want it, you'll have to look for it.While 2-handing a shield was certainly possible in 3.5, it's unfortunately not possible in Pathfinder.
"You can bash an opponent with a shield, using it as an off-hand weapon. Used this way, a shield is a martial bludgeoning weapon."
My Core Rulebook says I can use a one handed weapon two handed.
You may not purchase full plate at level 1.And why is that, exactly?
*crickets chirping*
*owl hoots*
*bullfrog croaks*
OH MY GOSH!!!
You may not purchase full plate at level 1.And why is that, exactly?*crickets chirping*
*owl hoots*
*bullfrog croaks*
OH MY GOSH!!!
Chillax, dude. I think he means as a starting character using the normal starting gold amounts you wouldn't be able to afford it.
Chillax, dude. I think he means as a starting character using the normal starting gold amounts you wouldn't be able to afford it.
But my way IS funnier.. at least to me..
This thread makes me want judicial dueling shields as an exotic weapon. They're pretty weird, but at least they'd be historically accurate and weird.
James Jacobs has addressed that this is not true. Check for a thread on handedness. I don't know how to post links - or really care enough to learn - so if you want it, you'll have to look for it.While 2-handing a shield was certainly possible in 3.5, it's unfortunately not possible in Pathfinder.
"You can bash an opponent with a shield, using it as an off-hand weapon. Used this way, a shield is a martial bludgeoning weapon."
I assume you're talking about this?
I just have to say: awesome. I wanted to remake my old 3.5 tank who 2-handed a spiked shield, but I thought it wouldn't work because of the "using it as an off-hand weapon" wording. Thanks!
Chillax, dude. I think he means as a starting character using the normal starting gold amounts you wouldn't be able to afford it. But my way IS funnier.. at least to me..
Crickets--funny.
Owl, bullfrog--not so much.
YELLING and extra !!!, just annoying.
But my way IS funnier.. at least to me..Chillax, dude. I think he means as a starting character using the normal starting gold amounts you wouldn't be able to afford it.
Crickets--funny.
Owl, bullfrog--not so much.
YELLING and extra !!!, just annoying.
NO YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!!!
Shield Spec in 3.5 grants +1 to Shield AC.
I believe that he meant Shield Focus, which does the same thing in Pathfinder. Shield spec is the 'next step' in PF...and since you need SHield Focus to get it, he was technically correct!
===Aelryinth
Shield Spec in 3.5 grants +1 to Shield AC.
I believe that he meant Shield Focus, which does the same thing in Pathfinder. Shield spec is the 'next step' in PF...and since you need SHield Focus to get it, he was technically correct!===Aelryinth
When did having a statement that is incorrect, but is somewhere close to the markbecome technically correct. Varisians...
When did having a statement that is incorrect, but is somewhere close to the markbecome technically correct. Varisians...Shield Spec in 3.5 grants +1 to Shield AC.
I believe that he meant Shield Focus, which does the same thing in Pathfinder. Shield spec is the 'next step' in PF...and since you need SHield Focus to get it, he was technically correct!===Aelryinth
If he's got shield spec, he's got shield focus. He's entirely correct on the AC point, he's just got more.
==Aelryinth
In general you can use a one-handed weapon is two-hands to add 1-1/2 times your strength bonus to damage.
So does this work? and also would it work with shield of swings?No, just because you are wielding it in two hands does not make it a two-handed weapon, it is still a one-handed weapon.
So if i'm using my Longsword 2 handed i can't use shield of swings?
How about the bastard sword.I have EWP, so I can 1-hand it as an exotic, but it is a 2h-Martial weapon, so it should work.
I think 2-handing a weapon should be all that is needed for SoS, as it is the style of attack, not the size of the blade that gives the AC bonus, by flavor.
So if i'm using my Longsword 2 handed i can't use shield of swings?
How about the bastard sword.
I have EWP, so I can 1-hand it as an exotic, but it is a 2h-Martial weapon, so it should work.I think 2-handing a weapon should be all that is needed for SoS, as it is the style of attack, not the size of the blade that gives the AC bonus, by flavor.
Bastard sword is a one handed weapon, it just has a special ability to ignore the -4 as long as you have martial and use two hands. And the fluff is about using the size and bulk of your weapon as a shield while you attack, so it requires the big actual two handed weapons.
I've been researching shield-centric builds for a character I'm working on, but I noticed one problem: Shield Slam requires Two-Weapon Fighting, and if you're two-handing your shield, Two-Weapon Fighting is useless. Any alternative ideas?
That's an interesting idea, though in the space of two levels I could just pick up TWF and Shield Slam as a fighter, since they effectively get one feat every level.
Seemed better than creating a whole new thread for such a minor question. I'm still not sure it's worth the Ranger dip.
Really depends on your dexterity. If you don't have a Dex 15 to qualify for TWF, you'd better multiclass.