Shield bashing - is there any way to keep my DR?

[kafziel]

As it says. I've got a Stalwart Defender who's got trouble holding aggro while blocking, and I figure shield bashing would help but kind of defeat the purpose of blocking. Is there a way to keep my blocking DR while shield bashing? Will Improved Shield Bash do that, or is that only the shield's AC?

[Sirea]

Have you been investing in the Intimidate skill? You can always use that to hold aggro.

[kafziel]

Have you been investing in the Intimidate skill? You can always use that to hold aggro.

Max ranks and a +10 ring. Still doesn't work two thirds of the time against things I really need to hold aggro on - raid bosses and the like.

[Sirea]

Max ranks and a +10 ring. Still doesn't work two thirds of the time against things I really need to hold aggro on - raid bosses and the like.

What level are you, what is your Intimidate skill (base without item), what's your Charisma (and are you wearing a charisma item while intiming), and what raid bosses have you been trying to intimidate?

[kafziel]

What level are you, what is your Intimidate skill (base without item), what's your Charisma (and are you wearing a charisma item while intiming), and what raid bosses have you been trying to intimidate?

Level 13. 16 ranks with +4 from enhancements, +1 from Voice of the Master, and +2 from a source I can't quite track down; it says I've got a +31 total. 6 Charisma, and I don't have a slot to put a +Cha item in. And I just had a lot of trouble trying to intimidate Lailat in the preraid.

[Sirea]

Level 13. 16 ranks with +4 from enhancements, +1 from Voice of the Master, and +2 from a source I can't quite track down; it says I've got a +31 total. 6 Charisma, and I don't have a slot to put a +Cha item in. And I just had a lot of trouble trying to intimidate Lailat in the preraid.

Well you said you have a +10 item on correct?

14 (from 16 ranks)
+4 (enhancements)
+1 (Voice)
+2 (Stalwart Defender II)
+10 (item)
=+31


At level 13 you should have a +13 item, there's another +3. You're also getting a -2 because of your low CHA (Intim is a CHA based skill). A +2 CHA tome would help a little, making it only a -1. You could also have a GH cast on you, or aquire a Planar Gird to cast it on yourself, giving you another +4. A Bard song would be another +2.

Making your +31 into a +41. Much better, eh?

[Aranticus]

Level 13. 16 ranks with +4 from enhancements, +1 from Voice of the Master, and +2 from a source I can't quite track down; it says I've got a +31 total. 6 Charisma, and I don't have a slot to put a +Cha item in. And I just had a lot of trouble trying to intimidate Lailat in the preraid.

intimidate is all or nothing skill. at present my L20 fighter has over 60 intim. what you are lacking are

1. greater heroism spell +4
2. level appropiate item, +13 instead of +10
3. cha items, trust me, you need to find a slot for it
4. tomes to boost cha
5. feats, sf intimidate and bullheaded for +5 total

shield bashing is a wasted feat. it is notoriously slow (even slower than ranged combat) and doesnt bypass DR (where the hell are the cold iron/silver pure good shields?!?!). with the current situation where you can get ACs in the 80s-90s range on a SD or DoS, just keep attacking with your weapon. the mobs cant get you anyways

[Demoyn]

What level are you, what is your Intimidate skill (base without item), what's your Charisma (and are you wearing a charisma item while intiming), and what raid bosses have you been trying to intimidate?

Don't forget the "why would you bother shield blocking anyway?" question.

[kafziel]

Don't forget the "why would you bother shield blocking anyway?" question.

Well, with blocking and moderate supporting heals I could survive Lailat without difficulty. I just couldn't keep her ****ed off at me. If I could, I could keep her in one place for firewalls and such.

[hydra_ex]

Don't forget the "why would you bother shield blocking anyway?" question.

If you intimidate, and shield block, then the damage absorbed is significant, and you take next to 0 damage.

[Yajerman01]

As it says. I've got a Stalwart Defender who's got trouble holding aggro while blocking, and I figure shield bashing would help but kind of defeat the purpose of blocking. Is there a way to keep my blocking DR while shield bashing? Will Improved Shield Bash do that, or is that only the shield's AC?

Improve shield bashing states in pertinent: "You keep your shield bonus while bashing with a shield"

I would pressume that DR is part of the shields bonus.

[Epitome]

A long time ago (around when gianthold was released) I had Imp. Shield Bashing on my intim fighter but it was buggy (sometimes you would retain full shield blocking DR and sometimes you wouldn't). I then decided to get rid of it; however, not too long after I believe the devs acknowledged it was broke and fixed it.

Even if that bug has since been fixed Imp Shield Bash in no way shape or form can retain aggro, it's simply not enough damage. As the previous poster mentioned you will be much better off with a high intimidate skill. Ever since the cool down was reduced from 10 to 6 seconds it is 100% aggro 100% of the time (so long as you don't spam the button, it gets kind of finicky if you do) assuming you are dealing with intelligent mobs.