Attacking with just a Shield [Archive] - Wizards Community

Attacking with just a Shield [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Centauri
04-23-06, 05:23 PM What are the penalties for attacking with just a shield? There are a couple of feats in Complete Warrior that let you do things like trip or daze your opponent if you attack with your shield. Both mention attacking with your shield on a charge. Since you're only attacking with one weapon in a charge, I wouldn't think that the two-weapon fighting penalties would apply. So, what would the penalties be on the attack?
draconic_swine
04-23-06, 05:37 PM The most glaring penalty would be losing your shield bonus to AC for the round if you haven't taken Improved Shield Bash, but I'm assuming that you're looking for attack penalties.

Whether you take any penalties for just attacking with a shield is a pure DM call.

You can bash an opponent with a heavy shield, using it as an off-hand weapon.

Taken literally, a shield bash is always considered an off-hand attack, and you'll take the appropriate TWFing penalties. However, I think the writers wrote this with attacking with both a weapon and your shield in mind, and I add no penalties if you attack with only a shield.
Centauri
04-23-06, 05:41 PM The most glaring penalty would be losing your shield bonus to AC for the round if you haven't taken Improved Shield Bash, but I'm assuming that you're looking for attack penalties. The feats I'm thinking of, Shield Charge and Shield Slam both have Improved Shield Bash as a prerequisite. But good catch.
aotrscommander
04-23-06, 07:00 PM Taken literally, a shield bash is always considered an off-hand attack, and you'll take the appropriate TWFing penalties. However, I think the writers wrote this with attacking with both a weapon and your shield in mind, and I add no penalties if you attack with only a shield.

I agree.

Given as you can't (usually) make a Full Attack when you charge, Shield Slam and Shield Charge (as part of a charge) would entail making an attack with your shield only. If it helps, imagine you're basically shoulder barging with your shield in these circumstances.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Centauri 04-23-06, 05:23 PM	What are the penalties for attacking with just a shield? There are a couple of feats in Complete Warrior that let you do things like trip or daze your opponent if you attack with your shield. Both mention attacking with your shield on a charge. Since you're only attacking with one weapon in a charge, I wouldn't think that the two-weapon fighting penalties would apply. So, what would the penalties be on the attack?
draconic_swine 04-23-06, 05:37 PM	The most glaring penalty would be losing your shield bonus to AC for the round if you haven't taken Improved Shield Bash, but I'm assuming that you're looking for attack penalties. Whether you take any penalties for just attacking with a shield is a pure DM call. You can bash an opponent with a heavy shield, using it as an off-hand weapon. Taken literally, a shield bash is always considered an off-hand attack, and you'll take the appropriate TWFing penalties. However, I think the writers wrote this with attacking with both a weapon and your shield in mind, and I add no penalties if you attack with only a shield.
Centauri 04-23-06, 05:41 PM	The most glaring penalty would be losing your shield bonus to AC for the round if you haven't taken Improved Shield Bash, but I'm assuming that you're looking for attack penalties. The feats I'm thinking of, Shield Charge and Shield Slam both have Improved Shield Bash as a prerequisite. But good catch.
aotrscommander 04-23-06, 07:00 PM	Taken literally, a shield bash is always considered an off-hand attack, and you'll take the appropriate TWFing penalties. However, I think the writers wrote this with attacking with both a weapon and your shield in mind, and I add no penalties if you attack with only a shield. I agree. Given as you can't (usually) make a Full Attack when you charge, Shield Slam and Shield Charge (as part of a charge) would entail making an attack with your shield only. If it helps, imagine you're basically shoulder barging with your shield in these circumstances.