I'd like to air this argument I had in Friday's game in this forum and get some responses.
Player A gets targeted by a Ray of Enfeeblement (who'd have thunk it?) and claims that he was missed. The to-hit total was pretty high, so I (Player B) in poor taste, questions the legitamacy of his AC.
Player A: "I got +3 Dexterity Bonus, a +1 Deflection Bonus and a +4 Shield Bonus."
Player B: "Shield Bonuses do not protect against touch attacks."
Player A: "Its the spell Shield, a force effect that does protect against touch attacks."
Player B: "I think you're wrong. The Shield spell, and Mage Armor, protect against an incorporeal's touch attack, not a regular touch attack."
Player A and B argue about it a while, and we move on with the game.
But I'm pretty sure I'm right on this (recall, I'm player B). If I'm wrong, I'll eat my crow and put this issue to rest.
Touch Attacks
Some attacks disregard armor, including shields and natural armor. In these cases, the attacker makes a touch attack roll (either ranged or melee). When you are the target of a touch attack, your AC doesn’t include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. All other modifiers, such as your size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) apply normally.
and
Shield creates an invisible, tower shield-sized mobile disk of force that hovers in front of you. It negates magic missile attacks directed at you. The disk also provides a +4 shield bonus to AC. This bonus applies against incorporeal touch attacks, since it is a force effect. The shield has no armor check penalty or arcane spell failure chance. Unlike with a normal tower shield, you can’t use the shield spell for cover.
and
An invisible but tangible field of force surrounds the subject of a mage armor spell, providing a +4 armor bonus to AC.Unlike mundane armor, mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Since mage armor is made of force, incorporeal creatures can’t bypass it the way they do normal armor.
Therefore, shield grants a shield bonus, which is ignored for touch attacks. Likewise, mage armor gives an armor bonus, which is ignored for touch attacks. Ergo, you would be correct.
Ergo, you would be correct.
That reminds me of MTV's spoof of the Matrix where Will Ferrell plays the character Architect. If you haven't seen it, rent Matrix Reloaded and look for it on the SPecial Features. Its arguably more entertaining than the real film.
But I digress. Thanks for the comments Gwydion.
Now allow me to play devils advocate and ask WHY force effect spells like Mage Armor and Shield do not stop rays (and other touch spells when a Wall of Force does?
IGR, the force effects are meant to protect the person from things penetrating it just like a shield or armor. Mage armor is actually "worn" by the character, though it is weightless, invisible, and does not hamper the character's movement. This is why the spell describes in detail how it is unlike mundane armor.
As for shield, that's actually a very good question as to why it is ignored by touch attacks other than it simply says so. The way it is described as a mobile tower shield floating in front of you it doesn't seem to even be in contact with the caster unlike a normal shield. Therefore, logic would say that it could deflect such attacks away from the protected creature.
My simplest and best answer, though, as to why shield doesn't protect against normal touch attacks is: because the rules say so :)
Along the same line then bracers of armor would not protect from touch attacks? I figure this is a good one to get out there as well.
Unless otherwise noted in the item's description, nothing which grants an Armor, Natural Armor, or Shield bonus applies against a Touch Attack. Certain force effects apply against Incorporeal Touch Attacks (such as that of a Wraith) only. The point is that if such a bonus would make a difference, they're already touching you.
Again, thanks for the comments.