Shield Spell

[JacktheRabbit]

What does a Shield Spell stack with and what doesnt it?

If a mage is carrying a shield and has mage armor spell on does the shield spell stack with both of these?

 

[Artoomis]

What does a Shield Spell stack with and what doesnt it?

If a mage is carrying a shield and has mage armor spell on does the shield spell stack with both of these?

I'm surprised at your confusion since you've been around a while, but:

A "Shield" spell provides a "cover" bonus.

A physical shield provides an "armor" bonus that does not "stack" with other "armor" bonuses except from physical armor.

Mage Armor provides an "armor" bonus.

A mage with all three gets:

The "cover" bonus from the shield spell AND the bigger of either the physical shield's armor bonus or the Mage Armor's armor bonus.

Any questions?

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Would not a buckler and a mage armor spell stack as the exception to the like bonus stacking rule?

 

[Shard O'Glase]

Would not a buckler and a mage armor spell stack as the exception to the like bonus stacking rule?

I'd like to think so, but nope. The exception to the exception is mage armor and bracers of armor. a shelds armor bonus only stacks with physical armors armor bonus. I can't offer a reason why, but because.

 

[Nail]

Oh g-d, not this again......

Artoomis, run for th' hills! Save yourself!

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Shard is right. Although I agree -- I don't know why. It's only physical armor that stacks with shield, not an armor bonus.

Here's a question, my 5th level Wizard got himself a HUGE armor class last game ... He's got a high dex (+4 dex bonus) and cast haste (+4 haste bonus) then shield (+7 reflex bonus) and already had mage armor up since it lasts for hours (+4 armor bonus).

In one round, he'd stacked himself with a 29 AC which made him unhitable to most of the Orc tribe we were facing. Now I realize, one dispel magic and he's down, but a 29 AC at 5th level is pretty tough (the DM thought so). Did we do anything wrong?

 

[Antikinesis]

Just because we don't have enough exceptions yet , the shield spell stacks with shields that offer an armor bonus. A tower shield provides a cover bonus, and would not stack with the shield spell.

-AK

[Edit] I nominate this topic for the most-resurrected forum topic of all time. (What does shield spell stack with?) Any other nominations? [/Edit]

 

[Petrosian]

You were spot on. AC 29 is correct (22 on the other side.)

Shard is right. Although I agree -- I don't know why. It's only physical armor that stacks with shield, not an armor bonus.

Here's a question, my 5th level Wizard got himself a HUGE armor class last game ... He's got a high dex (+4 dex bonus) and cast haste (+4 haste bonus) then shield (+7 reflex bonus) and already had mage armor up since it lasts for hours (+4 armor bonus).

In one round, he'd stacked himself with a 29 AC which made him unhitable to most of the Orc tribe we were facing. Now I realize, one dispel magic and he's down, but a 29 AC at 5th level is pretty tough (the DM thought so). Did we do anything wrong?

 

[Westwind]

Lucius, I would point out to your DM that getting that AC involved your wizards using up a lot of slots that could have been used very effectively on offense (fireball, sleep x2 is some good vs. orcs). Plus, you only really feel the advantage of all those defensive spells if you find yourself in melee, which is not where you want to be. I'd say the scenario balanced itself out.

 

[Krafen]

Here's a question, my 5th level Wizard got himself a HUGE armor class last game ... He's got a high dex (+4 dex bonus) and cast haste (+4 haste bonus) then shield (+7 reflex bonus) and already had mage armor up since it lasts for hours (+4 armor bonus).

As a reminder, shield provides a cover bonus to AC rather than a reflex bonus to AC.

You are correct, at low to mid levels the wizard and sorcerer can have the highest AC in the party. At higher levels, the tanks in armor can afford to enchant their armor and shield to the point where they move ahead. A heavily enchanted suit of armor and shield can easily surpass even the most powerful bracers of armor and shield. It takes several spell slots for the wizard and sorcerer to temporarily boost their AC so high. The opportunity cost is offensive spells. Since most of their spells need to be re-cast each combat, they are also more vulnerable to surprise attacks.