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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KarinsDad" data-source="post: 2879744" data-attributes="member: 2011">Basically irrelevant.At first level, an arcane caster's best defense is a good offense. Some arcane casters might indeed be defensively minded with regard to spells: cast Mage Armor and/or cast Shield. But, Magic Missiles from NPCs should be rare enough that the majority of defensive casters choose Mage Armor instead of Shield due to the duration. So, having a Shield up at first level should be very rare.The majority (if played well) should understand that they only get a few spells per day. So, in order to cast Shield before it will stop Magic Missile, such a caster would have to have a round in which to do that. If he has a round to go defensive, he has a round in which to attack first. 2-5 points of damage is hurtful, but not typically deadly (many PC adventuring arcane casters have a CON of at least 12).So, yes, this rare situation could occur. But, it typically will not and even if it does, that does not prevent an opponent from casting the Magic Missiles on somebody else.The fact that Shield can prevent Magic Missiles is a hiccup at real low levels. A blip on the radar and not really that important in the large scheme of things. The vast majority of the time, Magic Missiles hit their intended target at low level (and especially at first level).Again, mostly irrelevant.If a first or low level character is using up a pricey Smoke Stick, they are doing it for a life or death reason. Typically, because they are seriously injured. A Cure Light Wounds potion in that situation works better than a Smoke Stick. And smoke is not really going to stop other opponents from entering the smoke and still dispatching the character.Also, your scenarios here assume that the user of the Smoke Stick KNOWS that he will be targeted by some spell. Smoke Stick will not stop Color Spray or Burning Hands. So, the utility of such a tactic is limited at best (maybe so that a Rogue can hide in the concealment). Considering that the target can still be attacked with Magic Missile anyway (only not from some directions), it's hardly what one would call a worthwhile defense. Mostly, it is a waste of an action since most of the time, an arcane opponent could just target someone else instead (or area effect the smoke).Actions matter in the game. Using them to hide behind spells or concealment works well against archers. It does not work well against spells.PS. On this note, I have had some players in my campaigns often not know what to do. So, they will move their character, or delay, or some other basically non-productive action. It can turn a moderately difficult encounter into a deadly one. Sure, there are times when delaying is helpful or even necessary. But, most of the time, a group's best chance of success is when all PCs are being productive in some manner. Casting Shield spells, hiding behind Tower Shields, and hiding behind smoke are generally not very productive (they can be productive situationally dependent, but typically, there are better actions that can be done). Even firing a Light Crossbow at a low armored opponent for a Wizard out of spells is typically better than hiding behind a Tower Shield.</blockquote>

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