I, too, must step in to defend Blur. This arguably the best defensive 2nd level spell out there. It adds concealment, 20% miss chance. Folks who are comparing it to Mage armor or shield are missing the point.
Consider a 5th level sorcerer with this spell. He can use it on himself, and everyone else in the party. Granted, doesn't last long, but for the big fight - it can go a long way.
Shield - self only - protects from one side only - but generally the first defensive spell cast by a mage or sorcerer in a tight spot.
Mage armor - doesn't work with armor, doesn't work with bracers of armor, can be cast on others.
Mirror Image - self only, on average slightly better miss chance than blur.
But, the real power of blur is two-fold: casting it on others, and stacking. Cast it on the tank with the high AC. He now has some protection from touch spells! From insubstantial critters! And can not be sneak attacked! And as it is a miss chance, it stacks with almost every other affect, spell, protection, etc. out there.
As low level defensive spells go, it is fairly good - on par with Mirror Image (plus can cast on others), and compliments the lower levels ones
Consider a 5th level sorcerer with this spell. He can use it on himself, and everyone else in the party. Granted, doesn't last long, but for the big fight - it can go a long way.
Shield - self only - protects from one side only - but generally the first defensive spell cast by a mage or sorcerer in a tight spot.
Mage armor - doesn't work with armor, doesn't work with bracers of armor, can be cast on others.
Mirror Image - self only, on average slightly better miss chance than blur.
But, the real power of blur is two-fold: casting it on others, and stacking. Cast it on the tank with the high AC. He now has some protection from touch spells! From insubstantial critters! And can not be sneak attacked! And as it is a miss chance, it stacks with almost every other affect, spell, protection, etc. out there.
As low level defensive spells go, it is fairly good - on par with Mirror Image (plus can cast on others), and compliments the lower levels ones
