Shield Augmentation with Backswing, Forcefull or Versatile (S) if it DOESN'T have spikes or a boss

[Sean_Powell]

Hello,

For unrelated reasons I was looking at the Shield Augmentation when I noticed something odd.

https://2e.aonprd.com/Equipment.aspx?ID=1430

There are numerous methods to modify shields—snarling rods to catch weapons, bladed edges, padding for nonlethal strikes, and so on—but all share basic functionality. A shield augmentation can be etched with weapon runes, much like a shield boss or shield spikes, but doesn't otherwise alter your shield's statistics. ***A shield bearing an augmentation can't be combined with an attached weapon, like shield spikes.***

A shield augmentation grants your shield one or more weapon traits, chosen when the augmentation is created. You can either choose to add the ***backswing or forceful*** trait, or you can choose two of the following weapon traits: disarm, nonlethal, shove, thrown 10 feet, trip, or ***versatile S.***

Which makes me ask "If you don't have a shield Boss/Spikes, what are you giving the Backswing, Forceful, or Versatile trait to?" Would those only be applicable to specialty or magic shields that already have a damage type. Ie. Throwing Shield could be made Versatile (S) instead of just (B)? That seems a rather specific limitation to not just say so.

I found nothing in the FAQ, Errata or rest of the Forum to address this topic.

Thank you,
Sean

[HammerJack]

You're giving those traits to Shield Bash.

[Maya Coleman]

Moved to Rules Discussion where it feels more appropriate!

[TheFinish]

Like Hammerjack said, you're adding those traits to the normal Shield Bash , allowing you to give your shield weapon runes and a few neat traits instead of a die upgrade through Shield Spikes/Boss.

[The Raven Black]

Yes.

This specific rule allows your shield bash to benefit from some effects normally reserved for weapons, even though "A shield bash is not actually a weapon".