Hi folks!
I´d like to play a straight fighter, with shield and longsword in the Savage tide Adventure Path. Sadly it seems only Two handed fighting or a strong fighter with power attack and a two handed weopon are really effective.

Any suggestions for making a single handed weopon bearer shine?

I've seen some good ideas, like aiming for feats like Whirlwind Attack if you've the requisite DEX & INT. You could also go for the Two-Weapon Fighting/Improved Shield bash route with a spiked shield. Exotic wpn. proficiency (Bastard Sword) is always nice.

Take feats that let you get in the way of the bad guys too. Since you're not going to be hurting them as much, focus instead on either moving around and disrupting attacks (with Mobility, Spring Attack, delaying/readied actions, etc.) or protecting your allies by kicking your AC thru the roof.

My local fighter munchkin maintains that sword & board is a sucker bet in 3.5, especially when you can get a hands-free magic shield at higher levels.

Isn´t that sad?
I think I´ll try, just to show them all. A bit like playing a duck in RQ...

Quote from: SettembriniIsn´t that sad?
I think I´ll try, just to show them all. A bit like playing a duck in RQ...

I heartily approve.  When you can't build a decent sword & shield knight something is seriously fubared about D&D.  Previous editions went too far towards favoring such builds, but I don't want them gimped.

First of all let me state that I hereby promise an agonizing death to any GM who actually lets their characters have animated shields. What self-respecting, testosterone-laden fighter will go around with a floating protective device? Jeepers...

Sword-and-board actually got a lot more useful with the feats from PHB II. Shield Specialization, Active Shield Defense, Agile Shield Fighter, Shield Sling, Shield Ward... And some levels of the Knight class might come in handy, too.

Yes, shields suck in D&D. They're basically a mount point for magic bonuses, prevent you from getting the new (IMHO overdone) 3.5 power attack bonus and if you want to be somewhat efficient at all, you'll have to bash with 'em. Which is pretty silly...

Shields are great in games with armor as DR and a defense bonus, though.

Quote from: SosthenesFirst of all let me state that I hereby promise an agonizing death to any GM who actually lets their characters have animated shields.

When you're running an epic level gestalt game featuring half-dragon sorcerers and gith ninjas, a floating shield doesn't seem like a biggie.

QuoteWhat self-respecting, testosterone-laden fighter will go around with a floating protective device? Jeepers...

Yeah, I sometimes want to give the party tank a little crap for this reason.

Quote from: jrientsWhen you're running an epic level gestalt game featuring half-dragon sorcerers and gith ninjas, a floating shield doesn't seem like a biggie.

If your ninjas have floating shields, pirates will laugh at them.

I don't have problems with over the top stuff, but floating shields strike me as both silly and rules-lawyering. I'd rather have two-weapon fighting with a two-handed weapon and armor spikes. (Yes, I know, you can have both...)

If 4E continues that trend, Graham Chapman will rise from his grave and don a uniform again...

Quote from: jrientsYeah, I sometimes want to give the party tank a little crap for this reason.

Two words: ioun stones.

There's a phalanx fighting feat in Complete Warrior for shield & [insert weapon of choice here] fighters.

For having the feat +1AC bonus. If you fight alongside another person with the feat (or persons) that bonus raises to +3 and you get a +1 bonus to Reflex saves. Prerequisite is +1 bab and proficiency with a heavy shield.

D&D always favored offense over defense.  This is nothing new.

I generally actually quite like going sword and shield, just for all the extra AC.  I like not getting hit by stuff.  It's nice.  

Big one I recommend taking is Monkey Grip.  So you can get that bigass two hander AND the shield.  Though you won't get the STR-and-a-half bonus I think.

And since when can't you power attack while using a shield?  Or for that matter, why exatly would you be "required" to bash with it?  Are these more wierd dumbassed 3.5 changes, or just bizarre rules misconceptions.  'Cause I'm leanign towards the latter based on what I know.

If you power attack with a two handed weapon, you double the power attack bonus. And this is way more important in higher levels than the die used for rolling damage.


Shield Bash is just natural, as I get an extra attack that way without losing AC.