Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Epedamus Feb 06, 2015 14:26:56	Hello all, I have a problem / difference in opinions whit using two-weapong fighting rules and AOO rules for the following kind of a situation. I tried Looking from PHB, DMG and from the internet for the TWF rules that include AOO whitout success. Hope here is someone that can help me whit this. (see feats below) Am i allowed to use 2 shields (Heavy shield is described as one-handed martial weapon) whit the TWF feats? How does AOO in this case happen? Can i use either of my shields for the AOO whit the exception that off hand does only 1/2 str in dmg? If i AOO do i take AC penalty in AOO even thou the the improved shield bash feat? Does the Imp. Shield Bash apply on both of my shields? or do I in any case lose other shield bonus from AC while shield bashing? Situation I have a lvl 3 Human Fighter whit following Ability scores Str17, Dex16 & feats (5) The Character uses a Spiked Darkwood Heavy shield (piercing) as main and Heavy Mithral Shield (bludgeoning) as off hand weapon (metal and a wooden shield for in case of rust monsters or other material destroying creatures). The following questions came up and i would like to get a wiser opinion before we start the campaign.   Dual shields (home brew special ability from Shield warrior, converted to a feat by the approve of my Gm) (starting feat) Dual Shields: A shield fighter always gains a shield bonus regardless of which direction he is attacked. While using two shields he gains the bonus from both to his AC.   Improved Shield Bash [General] (fighter bonus feat lvl 1) Prerequisite; Shield Proficiency. Benefit; When you perform a shield bash, you may still apply the shield’s shield bonus to your AC. A fighter may select Improved Shield Bash as one of his fighter bonus feats.   Two-Weapon Fighting [General] (starting feat) You can fight with a weapon in each hand. You can make one extra attack each round with the second weapon. Prerequisite; Dex 15. Benefit; Your penalties on attack rolls for fighting with two weapons are reduced. The penalty for your primary hand lessens by 2 and the one for your off hand lessens by 6.   Two-Weapon Defense [General] (lvl 2 fighter bonus feat) Prerequisites; Dex 15, Two-Weapon Fighting. Benefit; When wielding a double weapon or two weapons (not including natural weapons or unarmed strikes), you gain a +1 shield bonus to your AC. When you are fighting defensively or using the total defense action, this shield bonus increases to +2. Special; A fighter may select Two-Weapon Defense as one of his fighter bonus feats.   Oversized Two-Weapon Fighting (This is a from DDO and also approved by my Gm) (lvl 3 feat) Prerequisite: Strength 12+, Two Weapon Fighting Benefit; When wielding a one handed weapon in your off-hand, you take penalties for fighting with two weapons as if you were wielding a light weapon on your offhand. Ps. Thank you in advance and sorry for possible misspellings
#2 Silvercrys Feb 06, 2015 15:30:40	You'd probably get a better response in the Previous Editions forum since it looks like you're playing 3.X.   That said, you are correct as far as the AoO rules go. You can make the attack with either held 'weapon'. I don't have a direct source from the SRD for this. Ask your DM if someone who was TWF with short swords would have to make their AoO with the same one every time.   Depending on DM, you may get full STR bonus no matter which one you use because you aren't making any 'off-hand' attacks. The reduced STR bonus on damage only technically applies when making extra off-hand attacks with the two-weapon fighting feat. Other than those bonus attacks, DnD 3.X has no 'handedness' rules. There's no direct statement for or against this, either, and it was a subject of some debate for a while, IIRC.   My advice: ask your DM and abide by their ruling. There's no direct quote or source I can give you. I don't have Rules Compendium available, and suspect it is also silent on handedness and AoO while fighting with two weapons.   Edit: Apparently replying from mobile device destroys formatting.