Combat Arm with an Expandable Shield?

[swordtart]

I have no problem with this, because, if you have a shield you will be practicing with your blade and shield together so that you can operate at full capability. I would perhaps exclude Melee (unarmed) and Melee (natural) from being usable with a shield.

In addition, you may not actually be using the shield to do the parrying (arguably weapons parry, shields block). The rule is that it adds +1 to your regular Parry chance. You may be simply putting the shield somewhere which forces the opponent to change the line of their attack making it easier to parry with your weapon as you are now only needing to cover half your body.

 

[swordtart]

What about a shield bash? You can unbalance an opponent or even cause real damage. Would that not be melee (unarmed)? Or would it be something else? Now that I think about it, that’s probably melee (bludgeon).

Using shields to do damage is Melee(Bludgeon) CSC p140.