Shield

Level 1 Abjuration spell available to Sorcerers and Wizards. A Reaction that adds +5 Armour Class the instant before you are hit and makes you immune to Magic Missile. One of the best defensive spells in the game.

Spell description: When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class by 5. You also take no damage from Magic Missile. These effects last until the start of your next turn.

Spell properties

• Range: Self
• Duration: 1 turn
• Conditions applied: +5 Armour Class. Immune to Magic Missile.
• Cost: Reaction + Spell Slot
• Recharge: Per turn

Spell upcasting

Casting Shield at higher levels provides no additional benefits.

How to obtain Shield

• Sorcerer, Wizard, and The Hexblade (Warlock) at Class level 1
• Arcane Trickster (Rogue) and Eldritch Knight (Fighter) at Class level 3
• Granted by features: Magic Initiate: Sorcerer, Magic Initiate: Wizard
• Source items: Amulet of the Harpers, Shield of Shielding, Elegant Studded Leather

Shield

Level 1 Abjuration Spell

When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class by 5. You also take no damage from Magic Missile. These effects last until the start of your next turn.

Range: Self

Reaction Level 1 Spell Slot

When to cast Shield

A Reaction that adds +5 Armour Class the instant before you get hit is one of the best defensive spells in the game. That +5 often turns a hit into a miss retroactively, and it lasts until your next turn, so it can dodge several attacks from one Reaction.

It also makes you completely immune to Magic Missile, which is the one spell your Armour Class normally cannot dodge. Keep a slot in reserve on any Wizard or Sorcerer and you will save yourself from a killing blow more than once.