Shield spell + Mage Armor spell

[Darthjaye]

Compared to a chain shirt? Or even a Mithril Chain Shirt. Armor is easier to use and cheeper to get.

Also, that +4 shield bonus doesn't go away when you're flat footed like a normal shield bonus (at least I don't see why it would as it's just hovering there blocking for you), and the kicker of negating completely a common 1st level attack spell that normaly is a no save, no avoiding attack.

...and not easier to use. As a Wizard/ Sorcerer you still need to come up with a way to get proficiency in either as the class allows for neither.

 

[Pinotage]

Mmhh..

Two-handed wielders barbarians with a shield potion?

Not in my game, thanks.

Shield of Faith +2 gets used by most two-handed fighters I've come across at lower levels. 50 gp and the effective AC of a shield.

Pinotage

 

[Bront]

We're talking about mage protections. A mithral buckler doesn't have arcane spell failure - a mithral chain shirt does.


Normal shield bonuses don't go away when you're flat-footed.

True, but what level are you by the time you can afford a Mithril Buckler? Besides, you can't hold a Mithril Buckler and a Weapon and still cast a spell with somatic components.

Realy? I always thought they did.

 

[ByteRynn]

You can hold a mithril buckler, and a weapon, and cast a spell. That's the beauty of it.

Also, why bother being proficient with a mithril buckler? You can use it without being proficient, and it doesn't penalize you at all!

 

[Bront]

Yes, but if you cast, you loose the buckler's bonus (Just like if you were to attack).

 

[MarkB]

Yes, but if you cast, you loose the buckler's bonus (Just like if you were to attack).

You'd think so - but no, the rules don't specify this.

And you can afford a (non-magical) mithral buckler from about 3rd level, then get it upgraded later as you have the cash, at around half the cost of gaining AC bonuses via bracers or protection items.

 

[glass]

Nope. No errata.

Really? I wonder where I got that idea from, then. Oh well, it doesn't matter anymore (At least not to me: I guess it'd matter to those still playing 3.0).


glass.

 

[Bront]

You'd think so - but no, the rules don't specify this.

And you can afford a (non-magical) mithral buckler from about 3rd level, then get it upgraded later as you have the cash, at around half the cost of gaining AC bonuses via bracers or protection items.

Welcome to the spirit vs the letter of the rules debate

I certaintly wouldn't let a wizard do this. I'd actualy give him a 5% cast penalty, much like the -1 he'd suffer on an off hand attack.

 

[KarinsDad]

Welcome to the spirit vs the letter of the rules debate

I certaintly wouldn't let a wizard do this. I'd actualy give him a 5% cast penalty, much like the -1 he'd suffer on an off hand attack.

Why? With a Mithral Buckler or Light Shield, he would not suffer an off hand attack either.

A whopping +1 to AC at level 3 is not game breaking.

Nor is +5 to AC at level 15.

If a PC Wizard who already has to spend money out the ying yang just in order to put spells into his spellbook wants a mithral buckler or light shield as well, I'm not going to stop him.

He's giving up other useful magical items or spells in order to do that.


There are times when the Spirit of the Rules should trump the Letter of the Rules, but this is not one of them.

 

[KarinsDad]

Welcome to the spirit vs the letter of the rules debate

I certaintly wouldn't let a wizard do this. I'd actualy give him a 5% cast penalty, much like the -1 he'd suffer on an off hand attack.

Why? With a Mithral Buckler or Light Shield, he would not suffer an off hand attack either.

A whopping +1 to AC at level 3 is not game breaking.

Nor is +5 to AC at level 15.

If a PC Wizard who already has to spend money out the ying yang just in order to put spells into his spellbook wants a mithral buckler or light shield as well, I'm not going to stop him.

He's giving up other useful magical items or spells in order to do that.

Yes, but if you cast, you loose the buckler's bonus (Just like if you were to attack).

There is no such rule. You lose the bucker's bonus if you use two weapons or use a two handed weapon. You do not lose it for attacking with a one handed weapon or casting a spell.


There are times when the Spirit of the Rules should trump the Letter of the Rules, but this is not one of them.