Shield cantrip

[GMforPowergamers]

I would make

Force Shield

Evocation cantrip
1 bonus action
1 min concentration

You create a shield of force that acts as a shield (granting your prof in it if you don't have prof) and allowing you to make a shield bash attack (d4 offhand weapon attack force damage) with it as long as you have it in your hand.

at level 5 you can substitute your caster stat for your str with the attack
at level 11 you add +1 to both the shield AC bonus and attack and damage
at level 17 you add +2 instead of +1

maybe I should up the damage of the shield bash as you level...or add a push effect at higher level...so you can use it to push away melee peeps to try to get away so it is not only an AC boost but a lesser shocking grasp too (you can move after you push without provoking)

 

[Satyrn]

maybe I should up the damage of the shield bash as you level...or add a push effect at higher level...so you can use it to push away melee peeps to try to get away so it is not only an AC boost but a lesser shocking grasp too (you can move after you push without provoking)

I think I'd add the push right at first level, and the caster stat thing . . . but no damage. So then the primary purpose of this shield is to push the enemy away. I think it would feel more like a defensive version of those weapon cantrips like greenflame blade.

And like those cantrips, you could having this one start granting bonus damage at 5th level and beyond.

 

[Mistwell]

The True Strike cantrip should probably be the model for part of a Shield cantrip (one helps you hit, the other prevents others from hitting). I'd say it takes an action to cast, lasts until the start of your next turn, and adds +5 to AC. It's the sort of spell you'd cast when you already have a concentration spell up which can do damage with a bonus action.

 

[aco175]

I'm still not liking the ability to use it every round. I would make it a special power where it is always active. Call it Arcane Shield or something. This would take away from the DM trying to attack the mage and going back and forth about what the AC is and what is it now. If it is always going to be with the power on, make it a special power.

I can see some sort of circumstance where a shield type is cantrip reacts to a special type of attacks like melee attacks or spell attacks.

 

[Yunru]

The True Strike cantrip should probably be the model for part of a Shield cantrip (one helps you hit, the other prevents others from hitting). I'd say it takes an action to cast, lasts until the start of your next turn, and adds +5 to AC. It's the sort of spell you'd cast when you already have a concentration spell up which can do damage with a bonus action.

But True Strike is complete garbage?
Although the suggestion is less do.

 

[Pauln6]

But True Strike is complete garbage?Although the suggestion is less do.

True Strike is for Eldritch Knights.

 

[Yunru]

True Strike is for Eldritch Knights.

Even then it's garbage though.

 

[OB1]

I think the only problem with the original design is that it lasts until your next turn. Just have it be for a single attack and require calling it before the roll.

But I also really like the shield/push idea as well, maybe have it be for one attack as well giving +5 and pushing your attacker back 10’ (str save against your spell DC)

 

[UngeheuerLich]

No. Bad idea. Scaling AC as cantrip is breaking the game.
While damage cantrips scale, Defense scales by defaukt because at higher levels it will prevent more damage with because it reduces chance to hit by an absolute 5% per bonus.

 

[WhosDaDungeonMaster]

Here is a similar cantrip I created for my players as a sample of making their own:

Quick Ward

Abjuration
Level: Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a tiny square sheet of metal)
Duration: 1 round

You wave your hand across your front towards a target within range, you grant the target a +1 bonus to Armor Class and Saving Throws until the beginning of your next turn.

Just a suggestion.