Ranger Two-Weapon Fighting and Shield Bash

[Calantyr]

Hello, new here. Sorta. Been away for years.

I was wondering how the Ranger's Two-Weapon Fighting ability functioned with Shield Bash. Are shields considered weapons for purposes of the Ranger's class ability and will shields be given multiple attacks as a Ranger increases in level (so long as they selected Two-Weapon Fighting instead of Ranged)? So at 21st level, will I be getting 5 attacks with my primary weapon as well as my shield if I have Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting?

I ask because while I enjoy the Ranger class, I don't like fighting with two weapons. I would prefer to go two-handed or sword-and-board, but that would make a critical aspect of the class unuseable.

Thanks for your help.

[DM Narshe]

Shield Bash
Type of Feat: General
Prerequisites: None
Specifics: You can bash an opponent with a shield, using it as an off-hand weapon. Used this way, a shield is a martial bludgeoning weapon. For the purpose of penalties on attack rolls, treat a shield as a one-handed weapon. When you perform a shield bash, you may still apply the shield's shield bonus to your AC. Shield size impacts how hard it is to use as an off hand weapon as well as determining the amount of damage it does if it hits. Larger shields tend to be more difficult to bash with but do notably more damage. Shields can have critical hits when used as an off-hand weapon. A shield Bash counts as an extra attack and will happen the moment you switch it on and every six seconds afterwards while you are attacking.

The additional attack penalty while Shield Bashing mode is on is: 0 Light, 2 Heavy, 2 Tower. This excludes the default 'to hit' attack penalty for having a shield equipped, which adds another 2 in the case of the towershield. When uisng a towershield to bash the attacker incurs another momentary +2 during the Bash attack itself only. These penalties can be reduced or negated with the Two weapon (heavy & tower shields) and Improved Two Weapon Fighting feats (applicable to towershields only). The base damage for every shield type is d3 Light, d4 Heavy, d6 Tower plus the strength modifier of the bashing character including any and all buffs. If enabled modes such as power attack add extra damage at the appropriate penalty and a critical hit with the shield will double the total damage dealt. The shield cannot be made a Keen weapon by spell. Armor Class Enchantment bonuses on the shield do not affect the attack or damage rolls but it is possible to find shields that do above or below average damage. A shield bash executed during a charge counts as a free charge attack and gains all of the bonuses from Charging including a damage bonus from Powerful Charge and Greater Charge.

During the bash attack the Shield AC bonus is not deducted from the character's total armor class. (This is the Improved Shield Bash feat equivalent in PnP Terms)
Use: Automatically if switched on

Underlined some of the bits that might answer your question. I think it only gets one attack per round. That said, it's still a very cool feat.

[Vhaeraun Baen're]

Its good until epic levels where it does negligible damage because every mob has DR ><

[Calantyr]

Its good until epic levels where it does negligible damage because every mob has DR ><

This worries me. I tend to make 'RP builds' rather than power builds, characters with a believable spread of abilities and skills rather than super-specialists. I get the impression my characters are going to be really, really poor once I hit epic levels. A ranger build with 6 shield bashes a turn was my hope of getting around this problem.

Back to the drawing board. Thanks for your help, guys.

[Vhaeraun Baen're]

pretty much

i dont understand why there are so many mobs with DR. all it really does is screw over non power builds aka RPers and dex builds... and dex builds already suck it nwn2

[Considerate_]

How many mobs have impenetrable DR? Most I can think of can be overcome by using the right type of weapon or metal...
As I recall the Epic lizards and undead got DR against slashing. Some mobs have against Cold Iron and the like.

On that note, if the shield you're using is Cold Iron, would Shield Bash penetrate 5/Cold Iron?


Personally I enjoy having some well rounded RP builds for my main character - but I won't be shy to admit that I also got a powerful build or two, that can stand toe-to-toe against quite a bit. Both have their flavours and are good or bad at other things, so I have both

[Thorsson]

I don't recall ever seeing a Cold Iron shield, so the point may be moot...

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

Shield Bash is cool, but underpowered feat. I admire your idea but you will be severely gimping your build when compared to classic dual wielding or Archer Ranger.