Shield of Faith
Level 1 · Abjuration
- Concentration
Carried by cleric and paladin, Shield of Faith operates at the 1st level of the abjuration school. Cast time: Bonus Action. Range 60 feet, components V/S/M, duration up to 10 minutes. Material: a prayer scroll. Marked concentration. Effect: A shimmering field surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.
Stat Block
- Level
- 1
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- Bonus Action
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- up to 10 minutes
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Cleric, Paladin
- Material
- a prayer scroll
Description
A shimmering field surrounds a creature of your choice within range, granting it a +2 bonus to AC for the duration.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
The Abjuration school handles every spell that ends with the words 'this does not happen' — counterspells, dispels, shields, barriers, banishments. On the school axis, Shield of Faith is Abjuration: the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. The 1st-level slot is the most-cast slot of tier 1 — Shield of Faith earns its place there or somewhere else.
Class Fit
- Cleric: At tier 1 a Cleric has maybe four prep slots; Shield of Faith is competing with healing options for that limited count. Keep in mind that Shield of Faith ends the moment the caster takes concentration off it for any reason.
- Paladin: Auras dominate Paladin identity. Shield of Faith is a discretionary slot the Paladin chooses to add on top of the always-on aura suite. Concentration is the binding cost — Shield of Faith can't share a slot with another concentration spell.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
+2 AC to one ally. Concentration. Common error: casting Shield of Faith on yourself; cast it on the front-line martial instead.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Shield of Faith
- What level spell is Shield of Faith?
- Shield of Faith is a level 1 spell from the Abjuration school. The classes that can prepare it: Cleric, Paladin.
- What is the range of Shield of Faith?
- From the caster's position, Shield of Faith reaches 60 feet.
- Is Shield of Faith a concentration spell?
- Shield of Faith runs on concentration for up to 10 minutes. The caster can drop it on their next turn or lose it to a failed save after taking damage.
- What components and casting time does Shield of Faith need?
- Shield of faith is cast with v, s, m. The other notable details — Material component: a prayer scroll; the casting time is bonus action (not a standard Action).