Shield Spell Question

[Aluvial]

Does a shield spell protect against melee attacks?

Can I assume that a foe that is fighting an opponent with the shield spell can tell their is some sort of cover after making its first attack?

Aluvial

 

[Uller]

Does a shield spell protect against melee attacks?

Yep

Can I assume that a foe that is fighting an opponent with the shield spell can tell their is some sort of cover after making its first attack?

If you're the DM, you can most definately make that assumption. If you're a player, you best ask your DM because the PHB doesn't say one way or the other.

As a DM, I say that shield spells are relatively common so reasonably intelligent foes will quickly recognize that there is spell in place and will start trying to side step it.

 

[LokiDR]

Shield protects against melee attacts from the direction the shield is facing.

I would say that it isn't brains that are required to notice that the target has a shield. Spot check after a successful attack. DC of the spell save maybe? Or 20 to notice invisible moving object.

 

[Aluvial]

Can you notice (spot) an invisible object with a DC of 20? Is that in the rules?

 

[LokiDR]

Can you notice (spot) an invisible object with a DC of 20? Is that in the rules?

Yes

From SRD

A Spot check result of greater than 20 can generally let the character become aware of an invisible creature near the character (though the character can't actually see it).

 

[Mordeth]

Yes

Actually, the ELH states to see an inanimate invisible object is DC 40. The 20 is for creatures moving and such.

 

[Aluvial]

So is the Shield spell effect stationary or moving?

It obviously moves when you reposition it.

I think the damn thing ought to have a small tint to myself...

Aluvial

 

[LokiDR]

Actually, the ELH states to see an inanimate invisible object is DC 40. The 20 is for creatures moving and such.

Obiously, since the line I quoted says this, you do not see it but you know that something is invisible in the area. In the case of the shield, I think you can be pretty sure what the "area" is. If you know what shield is, you can now put 1 and 1 together. If you don't notice the arrow bounce off the shield, you don't know if it was armor, a bad shot or you need to get your eyes checked.

So is the Shield spell effect stationary or moving?

It obviously moves when you reposition it.

I think the damn thing ought to have a small tint to myself...

Aluvial

The shield stays a static distance from the character, and characters are always assumed to be moving. So, yes, the shield is moving, unless the person makes sure to stand still. Then you have a better chance to notice that your arrows are bouncing off something, since they lost dex and still aren't being hit. That is when I would think about an int check.

The rules say it is invisible. You can house rule it, but that is what the rules say. Personally, I just tell the players once there has been an attack deflected by the shield because I prefer a more straight forward game. If your game is based on trickery, have them roll. It is all in the style.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

When I DM, I usually check the attack roll. If it missed by 7 or less, I'll say that it bounces off an invisible force in between the character and his target. Since Shield is an exceptionally common defensive spell, most characters quickly figure out what that means (there are only a couple other ways to get invisible fields of force--Mage Armor, Bracers of Armor and Rings of Deflection, IIRC).

As for NPCs, I typically figure that experienced villains and/or wizards, sorcerors, or their companions have some contact with the Shield Spell. If they can, they'll step behind it. Otherwise, they'll either live with the fact that they probably won't hit (and fight defensively, etc to duplicate that for the PCs), use dispel magic, or attack someone else.