Question on shield spell

[Norm]

On page 251 of the PHB The description of the shield spell is as follows...

"Shield creates an invisible, mobile disk of force that hovers in front of the character. It negates magic missile attacks directed at the character. The disk also intercepts attacks, providing three-quarters cover (+7 AC and +3 on Reflex saves against attacks that affect an area). The disk moves out of the way when the character attacks, so it does not provide cover to opponents. The disk protects the character only against magic missiles and attacks from one direction. The character designates half the battlefield as being blocked by the shield. The other half is not. The character can change the defensive direction of the shield (that is, rotate the dividing line) once as a free action on each of the character's turns."

Here are the two things I do not understand....
"The character designates half the battlefield as being blocked by the shield."
How big of an area is this? Does this mean that if he has friends on either side of him, they get the bonuses to AC also, does this extend 20feet, 50, feet? If they are fighting in a 10' hallway, does it cover the middle 5'? What if they are fighting in an open feild thats 300' across, does it then cover 150'?

and also...
"The disk moves out of the way when the character attacks, so it does not provide cover to opponents."
Does the disk move out of the way when any of the other characters it is covering (half the battlefield) attacks? Or only the caster, or focus of the target. If it only moves when the target attacks, would the allies covered by the shield have a -7 to hit because the shield is giving the enemy 7AC ?


Thanks for your help

- Norm

 

[Veldrane]

2. The shield covers only the caster (see the Range entry), so it does not provide cover for any other creature

1. Half the battlefield means 3 squares, as stated in the Dragon magazine (don't remember the issue). Practically:

XXS
XCS ----> If it's straight
XXS

XXX
XCS ----> If it's on the angle
XSS

X = No cover
C = Caster
S = Shield

Hope this helps...

 

[Norm]

thanks...

Ok thanks,..so just to clarify....

if it is set up like this;
X=no cover
C=caster
S=shield
F=friend
M=monster

XFS
XCS --->
XXS
The Friend would not get any of the bonuses from the shield

And also another question

XXX
XCS
XSM

Basically can anyone, monster or ally occupy where the shield would be, or is the shield considered in the same space the caster is in ?

Thanks alot This really helps

 

[rhammer2]

Re: thanks...

The shield is in the space with the caster, so your monster must strike through the shield's cover bonus to hit.

Ok thanks,..so just to clarify....

if it is set up like this;
X=no cover
C=caster
S=shield
F=friend
M=monster

And also another question

XXX
XCS
XSM

Basically can anyone, monster or ally occupy where the shield would be, or is the shield considered in the same space the caster is in ?

Thanks alot This really helps

 

[hong]

The shield is in the same space the caster is in. Actually, that's a good question. If you have someone else in the same square as you, would they also get benefit from the shield?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

The shield is in the same space the caster is in. Actually, that's a good question. If you have someone else in the same square as you, would they also get benefit from the shield?

No. No more than they would if they occupied the same space as a fighter with a shield equipped. It protects only the caster. Of course, if a smaller creature occupied the same space as the caster, the caster may provide cover for the other creature, but the Shield spell would not.

 

[hong]

No. No more than they would if they occupied the same space as a fighter with a shield equipped.

Well, would a tower shield provide cover for everyone in a square?

 

[Veldrane]

Well, would a tower shield provide cover for everyone in a square?

IMHO, Yes

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Well, would a tower shield provide cover for everyone in a square?

Yes, but a tower shield isn't Range: Personal.