Shield of the Archons is a 7th level priest spell protection that absorbs many single-target spells and spell effects directed against the priest.
Description[]
| “ | This powerful abjuration spell causes the spells cast against the priest to be absorbed and consumed. This affects a total of spell levels equal to half the level of the caster. This includes spells cast from scrolls and innate spell-like abilities, but excludes the following: area effects that are not centered directly upon the priest, as well as area effects that are stationary, such as Cloudkill and Stinking Cloud. As long as the spell is cast directly at the priest, it will be absorbed provided that there are spell levels remaining. For example, if there is only 1 level left and a 3rd-level spell is cast at the priest, the spell will be absorbed while canceling the shield. | ” |
Gameplay[]
This spell is for the caster only.
Casting the spell requires no targeting, and when the casting time is finished, the shield is applied to the caster automatically.
A text will display, reading "Protected by Shield of the Archons", as well as a short sound effect, and the caster will show an icon (No. 67) titled "Spell Deflection" on their portrait for the spell's duration, as well as a characteristic swirling white energy graphic.
The shield absorbs/consumes single-target spells and spell-like effects aimed directly at the caster - for example, Magic Missile, Melf's Acid Arrow, Cause Serious Wounds Ray, Spook, or Domination etc.
The shield will absorb any effects with a spell Power level between 1 through 9, however, the shield has a maximum capacity limit, and when the limit is exceeded, the shield will cease to function and disappear.
The capacity limit is determined by the priest's level, equivalent to spell levels equal to half the level of the caster - for example, a level 14 priest's shield has a capacity that can absorb seven Power level 1 spells before reaching its limit, while a level 20 caster's shield has a limit of 10 power level 1 spells.
Depending on the incoming spell's power level, a shield may last for several attacks before reaching its protective capacity, or a single level 9 spell such as Imprisonment can be enough to do it all by itself, depending on the priest's level.
As long as the shield has a least 1 remaining capacity, it can block one additional level 1 through 9 spell before the shield disappears - which is visually obvious to the player, as all the spell's graphics and portrait icon disappear from the caster.
When a spell is absorbed/consumed, a text is displayed reading "Spell ineffective" (even if the spell happened to also be blocked by Magic Resistance).
Shield of the Archons can be taken down by all of the Magic attack type spells listed in the InfoBox, but a Dispel Magic effect doesn't touch the shield, and will pass right through it - the shield and the dispel effect don't interact at all.
Notes[]
Shield of the Archons relies on the same mechanics as the wizard's Spell Deflection. As such, it:
- Protects against effects by targeting their power level, namely values 1 through 9.
- Also blocks beneficial spells from allies.
- Lets effects with power level 0 pass through.
- Does not protect against effects coming from the caster's own spells, AoE attacks or the Magic attack spell type, regardless of power level.
- Can be destroyed by all spell protection removers, except for Spell Thrust and a Fallen Solar's Bow, which are not strong enough to take down a level 7 spell protection.
Bugs[]
The spell is supposed to apply an icon (No. 116) titled "Shield of the Archons" to the caster's portrait but instead applies a Spell Deflection icon.
Trivia[]
The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition spell Shield of the Archons is very rarely known or available in the PnP ruleset, except for planar priests.
Evil aligned planar priests wouldn't have access to this spell but instead might know spell shield of the tanar'ri.
This spell creates a mystic shield of beneficent energies that interposes itself between the caster and incoming attacks by spell, spell-like ability, or magical device such as a rod, staff, or wand. Attacks on the caster within the spell's arc hit the shield instead, and each strike has a chance of shattering it. The player rolls 1d20 for every attack the shield intercepts. The shield of the archons shatters if the roll is less than the level of the intercepted magical attack. A shield that shatters still provides protection from the spell that destroyed it.
If an area-effect spell would include the caster but is not directly targeted on him, the shield provides a +4-saving throw bonus and reduces damage by -2 points per die. This protection also applies against breath weapon attacks that cause physical damage.
If attacks are launched at the caster from different directions at the same time, the shield interposes itself between the caster and the most dangerous threat, as determined by the DM.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
Sword Coast Stratagems Mod changes Shield of the Archons to block the Breach Spell.
Spell Revisions mod has changed this Divine spell, revising its effects, casting time, duration, and description. See below:
Shield of the Archons
Level: 7
School: Abjuration
Sphere: Protection
Range: Personal
Duration: 1 turn
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Caster
Saving Throw: None
This powerful abjuration spell causes spells cast against the priest to be absorbed and consumed. This spell will not protect the caster from dispel magic, but it will not be affected by dispel magic, either.
This spell also grants protection from spells cast from scrolls and innate spell-like abilities but will not protect against area effect spells that are not centered directly upon the priest (such as Fireball), or stationary area effect spells (such as Cloudkill and Stinking Cloud).
External links[]
- Shield of the archons on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.
- Advanced D&D 2nd Edition Wiki - Shield of the Archons (Priest Spell)