Exotic shields from Races of Stone

[heavyfuel]

I'm not posting this in the RAW thread because i kinda wish for a RAI assessment.

Classes that read "proficient with all shields" (sometimes with a "except tower shield" addendum). Are these classes proficient with the extreme shield or any of the exotic shields from RoS?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

No, those classes are only proficient with the standard shields in the PHB, that the Extreme Shield and other exotic armor/shields in RoS are labeled Exotic indicates that you need special training, such as spending a feat, to use them proficiently.

Edit: The Exoticist variant of Fighter found in Dragon 310 p35 doesn't get proficiency in martial weapons, but it gets four exotic weapon proficiencies instead. You could probably replace one or more of those exotic weapon proficiencies with an exotic armor or shield proficiency, and it would only take a one-level dip. Its Fighter bonus feat list is more limited, but it gets a selection of unique special abilities that can be chosen in place of a bonus feat.

[animewatcha]

310 is also very near the beginning of 3.5e so the fighter bonus feat list doesn't get hosed as much. Where is it that you can trade the exotic weapon profs for exotic armor or exotic shield?

[Diovid]

Edit: The Exoticist variant of Fighter found in Dragon 310 p35 doesn't get proficiency in martial weapons, but it gets four exotic weapon proficiencies instead. You could probably replace one or more of those exotic weapon proficiencies with an exotic armor or shield proficiency, and it would only take a one-level dip. Its Fighter bonus feat list is more limited, but it gets a selection of unique special abilities that can be chosen in place of a bonus feat.
That's not neccesary. The Fighter is allowed to trade his Tower Shield proficiency for the Exotic Shield Proficiency feat (see the feat's description in Races of Stone).