Shielded Fighter

A shielded fighter focuses on both offense and defense, blending weapon and shield in perfect balance to impede their enemies while delivering deadly blows, and even turning the shield itself into a formidable weapon. These fighting school benefits apply when wielding a weapon and a shield simultaneously.

Active Defense (Ex)

At 3rd level, a shielded fighter gains a +1 Dodge Bonus to AC when wielding a shield and fighting defensively, using Combat Expertise, or using Total Defense. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 3rd. As a Swift Action, they may share this bonus with one adjacent ally, or half of the bonus (minimum +0) with all adjacent allies, until the beginning of their next turn.

This ability replaces armor training 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Shield Fighter (Ex)

At 5th level, a shielded fighter gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls when making a shield bash. These bonuses increase by +1 every four levels beyond 5th. With a full-attack action, a shielded fighter may alternate between using their weapon or their shield for each attack. This action does not grant additional attacks or incur penalties as Two-Weapon Fighting does.

This ability replaces weapon training 1.

Shield Buffet (Ex)

At 9th level, as a Move Action, a shielded fighter may make a Combat Maneuver Check to use their shield to impede an adjacent enemy. If successful, the target suffers a –2 penalty on its attack rolls against the shielded fighter and a –2 penalty to AC on attacks made by the shielded fighter until the beginning of their next turn. At 13th level, a shielded fighter may use this ability as a Swift Action.

This ability replaces weapon training 2 and 3.

Shield Guard (Ex)

At 17th level, as a Swift Action, a shielded fighter may designate one square adjacent to them. They may designate two squares if using a heavy shield or three squares if using a tower shield, but these squares must be contiguous. Enemies in these squares cannot flank the shielded fighter and do not count for Flanking with other creatures. This effect lasts until they move from their position or use another Swift Action to change the affected squares.

This ability replaces weapon training 4.

Shield Mastery (Ex)

At 19th level, a shielded fighter gains DR 5/— when wielding a shield.

This ability replaces armor mastery.

Shield Ward (Ex)

At 20th level, a shielded fighter gains Evasion (as a rogue) while wielding a shield, and adds their Shield Bonus to their AC (not including enhancement bonuses) on Reflex saves and to their touch AC. In addition, their shield cannot be disarmed or sundered.

This ability replaces weapon mastery.

Parent Class

Fighter