I have a Monk/Cleric that uses a shield as part of his unarmed attack method. I noticed that in my character sheet the damage is 1d3 with +2 AB (instead of 1d6 +4 AB) when I hold the shield. It seems to disregard Monk attack bonus and damage. I've not confirmed this yet IC in battle as I thought it was working as expected until I just recently noticed this in the Character Sheet before having to log off.

What is the ruling for Monk attack and damage with Shields? My understanding is that it should be unaffected.

How could a monk attack properly with his fists while holding a shield?

Probably a nice bit of scripting on the DM's part. Yay to them. I don't want to see statwhore monks that use a towershield for +3 AC and with no penalties to their attack abilities vs. not using one.

If it's scripted in then I'm fine with that, just have it clearly stated.

There can be an argument made for the use of a shield as part of an unarmed attacking technique, where the shield is part of the offensive and defensive movements. The monk may need to use more leg kicks and sweeping arm and kick attacks. And hell, watch any Jackie Chan film, he litterally uses the kitchen sink as a useful object. It's a matter of learning how to use it. For my character, solely based on defense and defending people, it seems appropriate. Maybe the restriction could be the size of shield that can be used.

Spare me the statwhore crap please.

I'm pretty sure this is standard NWN. Either way, monks should not be using shields.

This is standard NWN.

Yes, what he's doing only applies to PnP where monks can take a special feat or just attack with their feat/head. Since in PnP a monk doesn't have to use his fists for his monk attack bonus, any part of his body can be his attack method.

NWN doesn't let that happen.

Howland I'm pretty sure this is standard NWN. Either way, monks should not be using shields.

Either way, thanks.

The shield monk bug was fixed by Bioware ages ago - so long ago the relevant Bioware forum posts have expired.

And yes, it WAS fixed as a bug.

Seems they missed the kamas, though.

They dident miss Kamas. Kamas get the bonus because they are classed as monk weapons whilst a shield is not

Although popularly called a bug an exploit it is not a bug. Kama's are supposed to work with flurry of blows. Says so in the feat description.

I meant a kama + shield combo retaining a monk's full unarmed attack bonus, which is what I thought the OP was going on about.

Then again, I guess a kama helps overcome the difficulty a shield poses, by extending the monk's range by a foot or so.

I've now confirmed the following:

Using unarmed attack + shield takes away unarmed attack bonus and monk damage, but flurry of blows and power strike work.

Using kama + shield includes flurry blows and power strike and may include unarmed attack bonus, but I'm not high enough level to confirm.

I think the following makes more sense to me:

Using a shield (via multiclass or by feat) with unarmed attack should be restricted to a shield size 1 notch bigger than race size (human use up to large, gnomes up to medium shield), negate the monk unarmed attack bonus, flurry blow, and power stike, but keep the monk unarmed damage.

Using a shield with Kama should be like any other weapon with shield but include power strike (and maybe flurry blow).

I also wish monks gained a dual weapon attack like Rangers but at a higher level (maybe 3 or 5) and restricted. I would restict it to 2 identical light weapons only. That way weapon weilding monks are still an option at higher levels.

Anyways...I've ditched the shield.

There's feats for that. And there's nothing wrong by taking multiple classes

Bindragon There can be an argument made for the use of a shield as part of an unarmed attacking technique, where the shield is part of the offensive and defensive movements.

Okay, I take it this has been cleared up.