Tweaking the shield spell

[haiiro]

I've never been a big fan of the busywork involved in keeping track of which way one's shield is facing. While I have no balance problems with the spell, I think I'd prefer the spell if that element was removed.

To this end, I'm looking for ideas -- what changes have EN Worlders made to this spell, if any?

I remember seeing at least one idea posted here that I really liked: alter shield to provide a +4 AC bonus all around, as well as a +2 to REF saves and the existing magic missile-soaking ability; the duration was unchanged. It might have wound up being 2nd level.

This would make it better than mage armor in the short term, but not clearly better overall. I can't remember who suggested this, or even if what I remember is exactly what they suggested...but I think it is. In any case, I like it -- but I'm not very good at balancing spells.

Here's my take on it, based on memory. If you created this, please tell me!

Shield

Abjuration [Force]
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)

Shield creates an invisible disc of force that hovers near your body, reacting to threats and interposing itself between you and that which seeks to harm you. This disc negates magic missile attacks, provides a +4 bonus to your AC, and grants a +2 bonus to Reflex saves against area effects.

(I'm not sure what type of AC bonus this version should grant.)

Comments, suggestions or ideas?

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I'd make it an unnamed bonus of +6 and leave everything else the way it is in your revision.

The reason?

1. Wizards have very very few AC enhancing spells and none of them get any better as wizards increase in level:
Shield, Mage Armor, Protection From Evil, Haste, Polymorph Self, Tenser's Transformation, and Foresight. If you don't want to put a hurting on wizard's ACs (which is a bad idea considering their low HP) you should continue allowing the Shield spell to stack with everything else.

2. +4 AC is not very impressive. Haste is good but not primarily for the AC bonus. Mage Armor is good because you can cast it in the morning and forget about it. Protection from evil is good because it offers improved saves, can be cast on others, and protects against mental control. If you have a spell that the wizard can only cast on himself and doesn't last long enough to cast in advance (except when you're attacking a known enemy), it should give a good bonus.

3. The directional nature of Shield's benefit is not usually a significant drawback. PCs and NPCs learn to position themselves so that it usually applies to the people they want it to--especially if the PC is not a combat-mage.

4. For those who worry about fighters with one level of wizard or sorceror for the shield spell: It's highly advantageous at second level. At third level, you're wearing light armor and don't really end up with a much better AC than the fighter in fullplate with a normal shield. . . and your spell costs a standard action. By seventh level, the extra AC you can get from that one level of sorceror isn't enough to make up for your light armor. It certainly isn't enough to keep you from getting hit unless you really really focus on defense (which means you're probably lacking on the offense). And your caster level is low enough that the obligatory dispel magic (which is quite common) ruins your defenses--even if you get the spell from a wand.

 

[haiiro]

That seems like pretty sound reasoning, Elder-Basilisk. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[MarauderX]

I treat the shield just like DEX; in a fight you either have it or you don't. After all, the shield can be moved around as a free action, so if a mage gets flat-footed once, he can move it around to face the other direction (if he survived the flat-footed attack...).

 

[Kyramus]

http://www.wizards.com/D20/article.asp?x=msrd

try checking the shield from d20 modern. It is basically what you were having problems with and it's fixed. I believe it will be how they change it in 3.5.

the link is the d20 modern srd.

 

[haiiro]

I don't have d20 Modern, and I haven't cozied up with its SRD -- thanks for the link, Kyramus.

The d20M shield doesn't seem good enough -- why take it when you could take mage armor instead? I'd rather have +4 AC for several hours than be able to negate MM attacks and have a +4 for several minutes.

IMO, the bonus to your REF save and the fact that it provides a cover bonus are a big part of what makes shield such an attractive spell.

Edit: Checked the news page and noticed that shield is among the spells that are to be altered in 3.5. I agree that it seems likely to be brought in line with the one featured in d20M.