Shield Of Faith
- Level: 1
- School: Abjuration
- Class: Cleric, Paladin
- Casting Time: Bonus Action
- Range: 60 feet
- Components: V, S, M (a prayer scroll)
- Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
A shimmering field surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.
Tactical Usage
Extended AC Enhancement. Shield of Faith provides sustained defensive improvement through 10 minutes of concentration-based AC bonuses.
Bonus Action Efficiency. The bonus action casting enables defensive enhancement without interfering with main action combat options.
Ally Protection Focus. The 60-foot range allows protection of endangered allies from safe distances during combat.
Spell Combinations
Defensive Stacking. Combining with other AC bonuses creates comprehensive protection layers for critical party members.
Concentration Coordination. Planning concentration spell usage helps maximize Shield of Faith's duration while maintaining tactical flexibility.
Healing Synergy. Pairing with healing magic creates comprehensive support that both prevents and recovers from damage.
Material Component Details
Prayer Scroll Symbolism. The prayer scroll represents written divine invocation that channels protective power through sacred words.
Religious Component. The material requirement reinforces the divine nature of protection through sacred text and prayer.
Component Preparation. Prayer scrolls can be prepared with specific divine invocations or blessed texts appropriate to individual deities.
Creator Notes
Divine Protection Identity. Shield of Faith exemplifies divine magic through protective blessing that manifests as shimmering defensive fields.
Concentration Management. The spell requires concentration management decisions about when defensive protection outweighs other magical activities.
Early Level Value. The spell provides crucial early-level protection when few defensive options are available to party members.
Environmental Interactions
Visible Protection. The shimmering field provides visible indication of divine protection that might affect social interactions or enemy targeting.
Divine Manifestation. The spell creates obvious divine magic effects that might trigger responses from religiously sensitive individuals.
Environmental Persistence. The 10-minute duration enables protection throughout extended encounters and dangerous exploration.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
AC Bonus Mechanics. The +2 AC bonus applies to all attack rolls against the protected creature throughout the duration.
Concentration Requirements. The spell requires sustained concentration, ending if concentration is broken through damage or other effects.
Target Selection. The spell affects any creature within range, including allies, enemies, or neutral parties as chosen.
Duration Consistency. The protection remains consistent throughout the full duration unless concentration is interrupted.
Alternative Applications
Diplomatic Protection. Providing defensive enhancement during negotiations or dangerous social encounters.
Exploration Safety. Offering sustained protection during dangerous exploration where extended defensive benefits matter.
Support Role Enhancement. Enabling support characters to survive dangerous encounters through improved defensive capabilities.
Related Spells
Shield Comparison. Shield provides superior immediate protection, while Shield of Faith offers extended duration enhancement.
Divine Magic Integration. The spell connects with other divine protective magic through consistent abjuration and divine themes.
Concentration Alternatives. Various spells compete for concentration, requiring tactical decisions about protection versus other benefits.
Scaling Analysis
Consistent AC Value. Shield of Faith provides steady defensive improvement that remains valuable throughout character progression.
Concentration Investment. The spell justifies concentration usage through sustained defensive benefits for critical party members.
Divine Caster Identity. The spell reinforces divine caster support roles through protective magic that enhances ally survival.
Narrative Flavor
Divine Protection Manifestation. The spell should emphasize shimmering divine energy that surrounds and protects the target through sacred power.
Sacred Defense. The protection should feel distinctly divine, reflecting the caster's religious connection and divine favor.
Visible Blessing. The shimmering field should create obvious signs of divine protection that inspire confidence and demonstrate divine approval.