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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hriston" data-source="post: 6695286" data-attributes="member: 6787503">Close but not quite. The only difference in how I read it is that in Situation B the wizard casts Shield on the assassin's turn because the trigger for him to use his reaction to cast that particular spell is that the assassin's attack is a 'hit' against the wizard's normal AC. The resulting bonus to AC is then applied against  the original attack because the spell is thrown up instantaneously.This sounds like a case where the object interaction rule comes into play allowing the PC to affect one feature of the environment as part of his move or action, in this case his move. It's more flexible than a reaction because it doesn't have a specified trigger, while at the same time it has to happen on the PC's turn, because that's when the PC is performing the movement of which this minor action is a part. In this case the PC would still have his one reaction to use at some other point in the round, if circumstance called for it.On the other hand, if the PC wanted to move up to the wheel on his turn, but then wait for the creature to be directly under the portcullis before he flicked the switch, crushing the invisible stalker Rancor-style, he could take the Ready action on his turn, specifying that he will flick the switch when the creature stops directly under the portcullis to inspect some distracting item he has dropped there for this purpose. The readied action is then accomplished by the PC using his reaction when the trigger occurs, i.e. when the creature comes into position on its turn. Accomplishing this would use up both the PC's action and his reaction.Each spell that can be cast as a reaction has a specified trigger that is unique to that spell. In fact, anything you can do as a reaction has a specific circumstance in which it can be done. The opportunity attack is the most common reaction and can only happen when a creature moves out of reach. You must also set your own trigger for a readied action, because it is accomplished by using your reaction. You get one reaction per round.You always have the choice whether to use your reaction or not. The spell descriptions are telling you what the triggers are for using those particular spells, but the nature of a reaction is that when the trigger occurs you have a choice as to whether to use your reaction to cast that spell, or to save your reaction to possibly do something else, like make an opportunity attack or complete a readied action.So, to get back on topic, the wizard doesn't have to cast Shield, but if he doesn't then it's certain the assassin will be able to roll for damage.</blockquote>

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