Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 keyboardwarrior Mar 01, 2015 16:09:31	When using shield to shove, on success you can roll 1d4 damage to that enemy.   Increase your Strength score by 1, to a maximum of 20.     Does this seem reasonable or unbalanced? Please dont mind the description I just want to know what you think about the balance of this.    Thanks!
#2 Coredump00 Mar 01, 2015 18:22:52	There is no default ability to use a sheild to shove.  Is this meant to work with Shield Master, or are you 'creating' a shield attack.  If so, is it a regular attack, how does it work with TWF, does it affect the AC boost from the shield...   I don't think there is a balance issue, but it does raise a number of rules questions.
#3 RealSeolfor Mar 01, 2015 21:05:37	In this edition a Feat comes by only once every four levels and that too at the cost of 2 attribute points.   If as a DM you want to allow a player to bash with his shield, I'd suggest the following (this kinda summarizes the popular opinion around this, from the many threads in these forums, ENWorld and reddit):   - If the character has no supporting feats, he can use his shield to 'bash', as an Attack action ie instead of using his main hand weapon. This 'bash' attack doesn't apply his proficiency bonus to attack roll and does 1d4 damage (doesn't apply STR bonus). He keeps his AC bonus from the shield. (As you can tell, it's quite a dumb choice to make, unless you've been disarmed or somehow dropped/lost your main weapon)   - if the character has 'Shield Mastery' feat, it functions as the description says ie with his standard attack he can use his Shield to shove as a bonus action. Now the house-rule many suggest, is that with this feat, he can choose to 'bash' instead of shoving. The bash attack is a bonus action, will apply profeciency and STR bonus to attack roll, and does 1d4 or 1d6 damage (your choice. Still no STR bonus, unless character has Two Weapon Fighting Style from an appropriate class)   Alternatively, you can look at the Polearm Mastery feat to design a new 'Shield Bash' feat, basically:   Shield Bash Requires 13 STR - if wielding a shield, character can accompany a standard attack action with a bonus action shield attack ('bash'). This bash applies profeciency+STR bonus to attack, and applies STR bonus to damage of 1d4. (Along with any magical bonuses the shield may have) - as a secondary benefit, as a DM you can let the player choose either +1 to STR OR the ability to 'shove' instead of bash on his bonus action as described by 'Shield Mastery'   I don't think any of the above are game breaking, seem balanced and I would allow as DM to a player wanting to use his shield offensively.    However, as you suggest, I would NOT allow damage AND shoving in a single action.
#4 keyboardwarrior Mar 02, 2015 0:51:34	My thought was that a player with shield bash feat and Shield master feat, would be able to do both damage 1d4 and shoving.    But I really like what RealSeolfor said!
#5 RealSeolfor Mar 02, 2015 2:07:37	Well I guess I'm trying to say two things: - First, would you allow someone with Polearm Mastery to Trip AND make the bonus attack? I wouldn't, the bonus action economy is strict in the edition. Allowing to shove and bash in the same bonus action hence to me is not kosher. On the other hand, if you character had multiple attacks (say Fighter 5), I'd happily allow them to replace one attack action to Shove/Trip, one attack action to make standard attack and the bonus action to shield bash/Polearm 'butt' attack   - Secondly, I'm advising against making your player waste a feat slot just to shove AND bash in the same action. It's not worth it, IMO. Just let him take Shield Mastery and then shove OR bash along with his attack. (If he has multiple attacks, He can still shove AND bash, but then he gives up one standard attack). Hope that makes sense. Let him enjoy, but don't break the action/bonus action/reaction economy.   Also, he/you may be underestimating shove - if the character wins, as a result of the 'shove' bonus action, he choose to push back (into a pit, off a cliff, into a fire etc) OR knock the target prone, giving advantage to all melee attackers vs that target.