Running Jade Regent and the group's samurai now has possession of a repaired Whispering Shrike. My question is about the Shield Other spell. here's the spell info:
Shield Other
School abjuration; Level cleric/oracle 2, inquisitor 2, paladin 2; Domain community 2, martyr 2, protection 2
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a pair of platinum rings worth 50 gp worn by both you and the target)
EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
DESCRIPTION
This spell wards the subject and creates a mystic connection between you and the subject so that some of its wounds are transferred to you. The subject gains a +1 deflection bonus to AC and a +1 resistance bonus on saves. Additionally, the subject takes only half damage from all wounds and attacks (including those dealt by special abilities) that deal hit point damage. The amount of damage not taken by the warded creature is taken by you. Forms of harm that do not involve hit points, such as charm effects, temporary ability damage, level draining, and death effects, are not affected. If the subject suffers a reduction of hit points from a lowered Constitution score, the reduction is not split with you because it is not hit point damage. When the spell ends, subsequent damage is no longer divided between the subject and you, but damage already split is not reassigned to the subject.
If you and the subject of the spell move out of range of each other, the spell ends.
My concern is the last sentence. I see in the description that the spell's range is 25 feet +5ft/2 levels, but is that just for casting it on your target or do the two have to stay within that range during the duration as well? That seems unreasonable as the protected fighter suddenly can't charge anything or else she'll move out of range and negate the spell. Am I missing something here (entirely possible) or is the required proximity a limiting factor purposely built into the spell? Thanks in advance for help!
yes that is a limiting factor purposely built into the spell so your pool of extra hit points can't be 3 miles away relaxing in a medic tent.
The spell is intended to be constrained into a combat environment so your foes have a reasonable chance to threaten the caster, not just the warded creature.
Be thankful for this, elsewise every BBEG you encounter would be using this to connect to a protected hit point factory hidden elsewhere.
yes that is a limiting factor purposely built into the spell so your pool of extra hit points can't be 3 miles away relaxing in a medic tent.
The spell is intended to be constrained into a combat environment so your foes have a reasonable chance to threaten the caster, not just the warded creature.
Be thankful for this, elsewise every BBEG you encounter would be using this to connect to a protected hit point factory hidden elsewhere.
Cool. thanks for taking the time to answer me.