Shield Proficiency
( Player's Handbook v.3.5, p. 100)[General]
You are proficient with bucklers, small shields, and large shields.
Prerequisite
Required for
Block Arrow (HB) , Focused Shield (CP) , Improved Shield Bash (PH) , Shield Expert (SF) , Shield Wall (HB) , Tower Shield Proficiency (PH) , Parrying Shield (LoM) ,
Benefit
You can use a shield and take only the standard penalties (see Table 7—6: Armor and Shields, page 123).
Special
Barbarians, bards, clerics, druids, fighters, paladins, and rangers automatically have Shield Proficiency as a bonus feat. They need not select it.
Normal
When you are using a shield with which you are not proficient, you take the shield's armor check penalty on attack rolls and on all skill checks that involve moving, including Ride checks.