Mass Shield spell

[Elite Hatter]

Hi playground. So my player (Evocation Wizard) wants to know about making a spell like shield but for 4-8 people. I'm (the DM) on board, I just want advice on how to approach this. Either modifying Sheild. Or creating an entirely new spell.

So far, only 10 min into thinking about this, I'm thinking a 6th level spell covering 2 people scaling up per level?

Any advice is greatly appreciated =)

[Elite Hatter]

Oh, also only +3 AC instead of the normal 5.

[Cybren]

6th level seems pretty high. 3rd or 4th scaling per slot is probably more fair, but I'm not sure how the mechanics of mass shield would work.
How about: a 4th level abjuration, as a reaction create a shield giving +n AC on a target within n' when you see them get hit by an attack. For the duration, you or the current person holding the shield can use their reaction to send it to someone else within range. Then you can play with the details, like how much AC it gives, the range it can extend to, whether it requires concentration or not

[Seekergeek]

Did something similar with absorb elements. Added scaling to the basic spell, expanding the area of effect by 5 foot radius chunks one spell level at a time, so increasing the spell level by one created a 5 foot radius AOE, and so on. We all felt it worked pretty well. Obviously shield is a little different, but the principle could remain. At higher levels, you could encompass more targets within a sliding range scale.

[Foxhound438]

shield can be a really powerful effect, so I'd probably make the progression pretty steep in cost. Probably add to shield +1 target at each odd level (2 at 3rd, 3 at 5th, etc.) If it's too much more than that you'd find that your wizard is just casting mass shield every round and then you can't hit anything with attack rolls ever again.

Maybe you could make it 1 per spell level up, but severely limit the range- like 10' or something, so that in order to cover the entire party he has to risk fireball damage due to the party's positioning.

[Paeleus]

I second the upcasting suggestion. Shield is a very strong spell, and should be handled carefully. Maybe using a 3rd level slot allows the caster to grant one ally +3 to AC, a 6th level slot grants two allies +3 to AC, and a 9th level slot grants 3 allies +3 to AC, a la Elemental Weapon.... kinda. Make them claim who the ally is when calculating to hit.

This totally steps on Shield of Faith's toes by using the Shield casting time, but duration and the cost those precious resources of thiers seems to kinda fill out, I guess.

[JobsforFun]

I second the upcasting suggestion. Shield is a very strong spell, and should be handled carefully. Maybe using a 3rd level slot allows the caster to grant one ally +3 to AC, a 6th level slot grants two allies +3 to AC, and a 9th level slot grants 3 allies +3 to AC, a la Elemental Weapon.... kinda. Make them claim who the ally is when calculating to hit.

This totally steps on Shield of Faith's toes by using the Shield casting time, but duration and the cost those precious resources of thiers seems to kinda fill out, I guess.

I like this idea, not to overpowered

[AttilatheYeon]

If you make the mass spell a bonus action instead of a reaction, it'll make the spell more manageable.

[Puh Laden]

Does your player specifically want "shield" for multiple people or do they want to create a group shield that's more of a magic bubble of some kind that creates an area of protection for all creatures within the area from all creatures without? Since you've already got a lot of suggestions for the former I'll do the latter. Something like:

Sphere of Protection - 2nd-level evocation
Casting time: 1 action
Range: 60ft / self
Duration: 1 minute

You create a 20ft radius spherical barrier of magical energy centered on a point within range. Alternatively you can target yourself as the center; if you do the barrier moves with you. All creatures within its area have half cover against all attacks originating outside of the affected area.

At higher levels: when you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the half cover upgrades to 3/4ths cover and the radius of the sphere increases by 20ft for each level above 2nd.

Admittedly upgrading this spell isn't always a good idea, but if you have an army you need to escort to a castle wall...

[gfishfunk]

Does your player specifically want "shield" for multiple people or do they want to create a group shield that's more of a magic bubble of some kind that creates an area of protection for all creatures within the area from all creatures without? Since you've already got a lot of suggestions for the former I'll do the latter. Something like:

Sphere of Protection - 2nd-level evocation
Casting time: 1 action
Range: 60ft / self
Duration: 1 minute

You create a 20ft radius spherical barrier of magical energy centered on a point within range. Alternatively you can target yourself as the center; if you do the barrier moves with you. All creatures within its area have half cover against all attacks originating outside of the affected area.

At higher levels: when you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the half cover upgrades to 3/4ths cover and the radius of the sphere increases by 20ft for each level above 2nd.

Admittedly upgrading this spell isn't always a good idea, but if you have an army you need to escort to a castle wall...

I was going to suggest something similar to the above. My only alternative suggestion is a 20' area of effect centered on yourself (so it will help others, but you need to be near them), but it effects all attacks inside and outside. Very much a screw everybody spell but with its uses.

[solidork]

I'll throw my hat into the ring.

Mystic Bulwark
4th-level Abjuration
Casting Time - 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components - V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You weave a visible aura of protective magic around up to three creatures within range. While you concentrate on this spell, when one of the creatures affected by this spell is hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to grant that creature a +5 bonus to AC until the start of your next turn, including against the triggering attack. Once you protect a creature this way the magic of this spell fades from them and you cannot protect them in this way again.