Shield Spells
Magic spells have long provided potent shields to those of us unable to haul a real shield around everywhere we go, and we’re continuing that proud tradition today. When we set out to create The Ebon Vault: Impenetrable Shields, the first thing we did was ask ourselves what it was that differentiates shields from armor. We came up with a few ideas, such as that shields should be actively defensive, whereas armor is more passively defensive; that shields can be used for bashing; and that shields protect against certain kinds of attacks. You will notice these general themes throughout the book and in today’s new defensive spells. In The Ebon Vault: Impenetrable Shields, however, you will also find other themes which developed throughout the project, such as the idea that shields get better the more punishment they absorb, or that a shield’s design matters, so be sure to pick up your copy today!
MAGE’S INTERVENTION
School abjuration; Level bard 1, magus 1, sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a shield strap)
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 min./level, or until discharged
You surround yourself with a number of mobile and brightly colored shields of force energy, which swirl about you, ready to be directed in order to help absorb danger. You create a number of shields equal to 1/2 your caster level (rounded down, minimum 1). At any time during the spell’s duration, as an immediate action, you may discharge one of these shields in order to absorb an incoming attack. If you do, you gain a +6 shield bonus to AC and a +3 bonus to Reflex saves. These bonuses apply to a single attack, spell, or special ability, or other effect. When you have discharged all the shields created by this spell, it instantly ends.
SELECTIVE SHIELD
School abjuration; Level cleric 4, sorcerer/wizard 5
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (a painted shield)
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 round/level
You surround yourself with potent abjurative energy which is focused against a specific creature, greatly enhancing your defensive capabilities against that foe. When you cast this spell, choose a single creature you can see. You gain DR 5/— against all attacks made by that creature, and gain an amount of spell resistance equal to your caster level + 11 against spells and spell-like abilities cast by that creature.
STRIKING SHIELD
School abjuration; Level sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (a piece of wood splintered from a heavy shield)
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 min./level
You create a wall of invisible force which you can use to protect yourself and attack nearby enemies. Choose a single edge of your space. A transparent square of force energy appears on that edge, granting you total cover (but not concealment) from all attacks which pass through that edge of your space. The wall is as tall as it is wide (for Medium creatures, it is 5 ft. tall and 5 ft. wide, for Large creatures it is 10 ft. tall and 10 ft. wide, etc.), but is always exactly 1 inch thick. It has hardness 30 and 20 hit points per caster level (to a maximum of 200 hit points at 10th level). Contact with a sphere of annihilation or a rod of cancellation instantly destroys this wall, as does a disintegrate spell. Unlike a wall of force, the wall created by this spell is subject to dispel magic.
If you leave your square, the wall disappears, and reappears again after you finish moving. As a swift action, you may move the wall created by this spell, so that it occupies a different edge of your space. Finally, as a standard action, you can cause the wall to explode in a one-directional blast of force energy, which fills the area adjacent to the chosen edge of your space. Creatures in the affected area suffer an amount of force damage equal to 4d6 + your caster level. A successful Reflex save halves this damage. Using this ability causes the wall to vanish until the beginning of your next turn.