Do Shields Count Against Mage Armor?
The short and definitive answer is no, shields do not count against Mage Armor. You can absolutely use a shield while benefiting from the Mage Armor spell. This is because the spell and the use of a shield interact with your Armor Class (AC) in different ways. Mage Armor sets a base AC calculation, while a shield provides a bonus to that AC. They are not mutually exclusive and work together harmoniously.
Understanding the Mechanics: Mage Armor and Shields
To fully grasp why shields don’t negate Mage Armor, it’s essential to understand how each affects your character’s defense.
Mage Armor: A Magical Base AC
The Mage Armor spell creates a protective magical force around the target. It doesn’t provide you with physical armor, but rather, it sets a baseline for how your AC is calculated. Specifically, Mage Armor changes your base AC to 13 + your Dexterity modifier. This effectively replaces any other method you might have for determining your base AC such as wearing armor. Note that Mage Armor ends if you choose to wear physical armor.
Shields: A Bonus to AC
Unlike Mage Armor, a shield doesn’t establish a new base AC. Instead, a shield grants a bonus to your existing AC. Typically, a non-magical shield provides a +2 bonus to your AC. This means that if your base AC is calculated through a spell or some other means, you can still benefit from the shield’s bonus. This crucial distinction allows shields and Mage Armor to work together.
Why They Work Together
The crucial point is that Mage Armor is setting your base AC, not providing an armor bonus. Shields, on the other hand, provide an AC bonus, and bonuses stack unless they are the same type. Since base AC calculation and AC bonuses are different, they do stack. This means you calculate your base AC using Mage Armor and then apply the shield’s +2 bonus. The same logic applies to other AC bonuses, such as those from magic items like Rings of Protection or spells like Shield of Faith.
Distinguishing from Other Forms of Armor
It’s important to note the difference between the way shields and actual armor function. When you wear physical armor, your base AC is derived from that piece of armor, and Mage Armor will not stack. Mage Armor is designed to be an alternative to physical armor, not a supplement, which is why putting on armor will dismiss the magic. However, shields are not considered armor in this context, therefore, they will work with Mage Armor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Mage Armor and its interactions with shields and other abilities:
1. Does wearing any armor break Mage Armor?
Yes, if you put on any kind of physical armor, be it light, medium or heavy, your Mage Armor spell will immediately end. Mage Armor is designed as an alternative to physical armor, not an addition.
2. Can I stack Mage Armor with Unarmored Defense?
No, you cannot stack Mage Armor with Unarmored Defense. Both features calculate your base AC, and only one calculation applies. You would use either Mage Armor (13 + Dex) or Unarmored Defense (usually 10 + Dex + Wis/Con/other modifier).
3. Can Mage Armor be dismissed?
Yes, Mage Armor can be dismissed as an action. It also ends if you put on any kind of armor.
4. Does Mage Armor stack with a Ring of Protection?
Yes, Mage Armor stacks with a Ring of Protection. The Ring of Protection provides a bonus to your AC and other saves, which can be added to your base AC determined by Mage Armor.
5. Can a fighter/mage use a shield while benefiting from Mage Armor?
Yes, a fighter/mage can use a shield while benefiting from Mage Armor, as a shield does not count as armor and doesn’t interfere with the Mage Armor spell. However, wearing physical armor would cancel Mage Armor, making a shield-using fighter/mage a very poor candidate for using the Mage Armor spell.
6. Does Mage Armor carry over when polymorphed?
Yes, any spell effects you have on you, including Mage Armor, stay on you when you are polymorphed. This means if you cast Mage Armor before being turned into a squirrel, you’ll be a squirrel with an AC modified by Mage Armor.
7. Can I cast Mage Armor on myself and someone else?
Yes, you can cast Mage Armor on multiple targets if you have the slots available. Each target will have their own Mage Armor effect. A sorcerer with the Twinned Spell metamagic can even cast it on two targets for one spell slot.
8. Do shields count as weapons for Dueling fighting style?
No, shields do not count as weapons for the Dueling fighting style. You can use a one-handed weapon and a shield while benefiting from the Dueling style’s bonus.
9. Do shields work with Barbarian’s Unarmored Defense?
Yes, shields work with Barbarian’s Unarmored Defense. Shields provide a +2 bonus to your AC on top of whatever base AC calculation you’re using, such as Unarmored Defense (10 + Dex + Con).
10. Can you use Mage Armor and Bracers of Defense?
Yes, you can use Mage Armor and Bracers of Defense together. The Bracers of Defense provide a +2 bonus to AC and do not set a base AC. Bonuses that aren’t the same type stack, such as a bonus to your AC from a spell with the bonus provided by an item.
11. Does Mage Armor stack with natural armor?
No, Mage Armor does not stack with natural armor This is because both would act as a way to calculate your base AC, and you can only apply one calculation at a time. If you had a creature with natural armor you would pick between their natural armor or the mage armor calculation of 13 + dex mod.
12. Can I twin Mage Armor?
Yes, a Sorcerer can use the Twinned Spell metamagic to cast Mage Armor on two targets at once. Since Mage Armor isn’t a concentration spell it is a valid target for the sorcerer metamagic.
13. Does Mage Armor count as being unarmored?
Yes, Mage Armor does count as being unarmored, since you are not wearing physical armor. This is good for abilities that require you to not wear armor.
14. Does Mage Armor stack with light armor?
No, Mage Armor does not stack with light armor. If you wear light armor, the mage armor spell will be cancelled as you are now wearing physical armor.
15. What’s the best shield for a mage?
There isn’t one best shield for a mage, as it depends on your playstyle and game. In the context of D&D 5e and other similar games, any shield providing a +2 AC bonus would work well with a mage using Mage Armor. The specific type of shield is largely cosmetic and does not affect how well it interacts with Mage Armor. The Elden Ring specific shield suggestions don’t really apply in most other contexts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, shields and Mage Armor work exceptionally well together. Shields provide an AC bonus, while Mage Armor sets your base AC, allowing you to benefit from both. Understanding the distinction between these two mechanics is crucial for any character utilizing Mage Armor and a shield. Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has answered all your questions about how these mechanics interact. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about how to best protect your character in combat.