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<blockquote data-quote="Zenon" data-source="post: 111079" data-attributes="member: 352">Here's a question that came up last game:First, some background-The barbarian/sorcerer(PC) is pelting the evil cleric(NPC) with his trusty Wand of Magic Missiles. After losing 2/3 of his hit points to the wand, and since the barb/sorc is the only one hitting him, the evil cleric decides the wand has to go. He charges the barbarian/sorcerer and strikes at the wand. The barbarian/sorcerer gets his AoO for the attempt and misses.We figure out what is needed to hit the wand. AC 7 base(per DMG/SRD), the barb/sorc Dex modifier of +2, object in opponents hand +5, size modifier for wand (tiny) +2 for a total of 16.So far, so good.But now the question comes up - the barb/sorcerer has cast Shield on himself, providing a +7 cover bonus. The facing is correctly aligned to the direction of attack. The barbarian/sorcerer asks if the Shield spell will help.Checking the section in the PHB, we read that the only thing which would also apply is any magical deflection bonus.Ahh, here's the rub.The Shield provides a cover bonus, not a deflection bonus, so by the book, it would not apply to the AC of the wand.That's the way I ruled it, but it doesn't seem to sit right with me. I am having a hard time reconciling why the Shield would not protect the wand also, it being a held piece of equipment.Opinions?BTW, the NPC rolled max for damage with his heavy mace (in front of the players) for 8+4str=12 pnts (the wand has a 5 hardness/5 hit points), shattering the wand. The PC isn't complaining (he's a good player), but I just want to be sure I did everything right.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Zenon, post: 111079, member: 352"] Here's a question that came up last game: First, some background- The barbarian/sorcerer(PC) is pelting the evil cleric(NPC) with his trusty Wand of Magic Missiles. After losing 2/3 of his hit points to the wand, and since the barb/sorc is the only one hitting him, the evil cleric decides the wand has to go. He charges the barbarian/sorcerer and strikes at the wand. The barbarian/sorcerer gets his AoO for the attempt and misses. We figure out what is needed to hit the wand. AC 7 base(per DMG/SRD), the barb/sorc Dex modifier of +2, object in opponents hand +5, size modifier for wand (tiny) +2 for a total of 16. So far, so good. But now the question comes up - the barb/sorcerer has cast Shield on himself, providing a +7 cover bonus. The facing is correctly aligned to the direction of attack. The barbarian/sorcerer asks if the Shield spell will help. Checking the section in the PHB, we read that the only thing which would also apply is any magical deflection bonus. Ahh, here's the rub. The Shield provides a cover bonus, not a deflection bonus, so by the book, it would not apply to the AC of the wand. That's the way I ruled it, but it doesn't seem to sit right with me. I am having a hard time reconciling why the Shield would not protect the wand also, it being a held piece of equipment. Opinions? BTW, the NPC rolled max for damage with his heavy mace (in front of the players) for 8+4str=12 pnts (the wand has a 5 hardness/5 hit points), shattering the wand. The PC isn't complaining (he's a good player), but I just want to be sure I did everything right. [/QUOTE]

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