dspeyer
2012-08-11, 08:36 PM
I was thinking about how people fight with shields, both in real life and in fantasy literature, and about how much less useful shields are in D&D. And I started homebrewing...
Improved Shield Bash
You know how to hit people with a shield effectively.
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons
Benefit:When you attack with a shield, you retain its defensive benefits. Also, you gain +1 to damage rolls.
Normal: Without this feat, a shield bash negates the AC bonus from a shield for the round
Special: You may take this as a fighter bonus feat
Active Shield [tactical]
You have integrated the active use of a shield into your fighting style
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons, Improved Shield Bash, Two Weapon Fighting
Benefit: You may use these three tactical maneuvers:
Shield Push: After you succeed on a shield bash, you may attempt to push your enemy backward in addition to dealing damage normally. Resolve the attempt like a bull rush attempt, but you can only push your enemy 5 ft and you do not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Shield Spin: After you succeed on a shield bash, you may attempt to rotate your enemy backward so that he does not face you effectively in addition to dealing damage normally. Resolve the attempt like a bull rush attempt (no attack of opportunity). If you succeed, you flank your enemy for the remainder of your turn.
Shield Bind: In the place of a normal shield bash, you may use your shield to engage the enemy's shield, weapon or other held item. Select one of your enemy's hands. Make an attack roll with your shield opposed by your enemy's attack roll with that hand or whatever is in it. If yours is higher, your enemy cannot use that hand or anything in it until the beginning of your next turn or until you choose to release it (whichever comes first). You also cannot use the shield (offensively or defensively) until then. You may choose to release the bind at any time as a free action. You cannot bind a two-handed item.
Special: You may take this as a fighter bonus feat
Greater Shield Wallop
You have learned to hit especially hard with your shield
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons, Improved Shield Bash
Benefit: Your shield bashes deal damage as if one size category larger
Special: You may take this as a fighter bonus feat
Special: You may take this feat up to 3 times. Its effects stack
Magic Shield Versatility
You can tweak the magic in your shield to serve you better
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons, Improved Shield Bash, 4 ranks in Spellcraft, Ability to Cast Spells
Benefit: When carrying a shield with an enhancement bonus, you can cause that bonus to apply as a weapon as well. Making this change requires a standard action and the sacrifice of a spell slot or prepared spell. The weapon enhancement bonus lasts for one minute. The bonus is equal to the lesser of the shield's original bonus and the level of the spell sacrificed.
Improved Shield Bash
You know how to hit people with a shield effectively.
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons
Benefit:When you attack with a shield, you retain its defensive benefits. Also, you gain +1 to damage rolls.
Normal: Without this feat, a shield bash negates the AC bonus from a shield for the round
Special: You may take this as a fighter bonus feat
Active Shield [tactical]
You have integrated the active use of a shield into your fighting style
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons, Improved Shield Bash, Two Weapon Fighting
Benefit: You may use these three tactical maneuvers:
Shield Push: After you succeed on a shield bash, you may attempt to push your enemy backward in addition to dealing damage normally. Resolve the attempt like a bull rush attempt, but you can only push your enemy 5 ft and you do not provoke an attack of opportunity.
Shield Spin: After you succeed on a shield bash, you may attempt to rotate your enemy backward so that he does not face you effectively in addition to dealing damage normally. Resolve the attempt like a bull rush attempt (no attack of opportunity). If you succeed, you flank your enemy for the remainder of your turn.
Shield Bind: In the place of a normal shield bash, you may use your shield to engage the enemy's shield, weapon or other held item. Select one of your enemy's hands. Make an attack roll with your shield opposed by your enemy's attack roll with that hand or whatever is in it. If yours is higher, your enemy cannot use that hand or anything in it until the beginning of your next turn or until you choose to release it (whichever comes first). You also cannot use the shield (offensively or defensively) until then. You may choose to release the bind at any time as a free action. You cannot bind a two-handed item.
Special: You may take this as a fighter bonus feat
Greater Shield Wallop
You have learned to hit especially hard with your shield
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons, Improved Shield Bash
Benefit: Your shield bashes deal damage as if one size category larger
Special: You may take this as a fighter bonus feat
Special: You may take this feat up to 3 times. Its effects stack
Magic Shield Versatility
You can tweak the magic in your shield to serve you better
Prerequisites: proficiency with shields as weapons, Improved Shield Bash, 4 ranks in Spellcraft, Ability to Cast Spells
Benefit: When carrying a shield with an enhancement bonus, you can cause that bonus to apply as a weapon as well. Making this change requires a standard action and the sacrifice of a spell slot or prepared spell. The weapon enhancement bonus lasts for one minute. The bonus is equal to the lesser of the shield's original bonus and the level of the spell sacrificed.