After a member of my local lodge mentioned this archetype, I started to read into it and I'm unsure about something. I also haven't found an answer on the forums, though I think I know what the most likely answer will be. My main concern is people attempting to abuse an ability due to the wording in an ability this archetype provides.
Taken directly from the PRD:
Bastion of Good (Su): At 1st level, a sacred shield can call upon the powers of good to defend her and her allies against evil. This ability functions as smite evil, except that the paladin gains no benefit on attack or damage rolls against her target. Instead, any attacks the target makes against allies within 10 feet of the paladin deal half damage. Attacks against the paladin deal full damage, but the paladin gains a deflection bonus to her AC equal to her Charisma bonus (if any) against attacks made by the target of the smite. This bonus increases by +1 for every four paladin levels (to a maximum of +6 at 20th level). As with smite evil, if the paladin targets a creature that is not evil, her bastion of good ability is wasted with no effect. Feats, abilities, and the like that increase a paladin's number of uses of smite evil per day increase a sacred shield's uses of bastion of good per day. This ability replaces smite evil.
Note how this talks about reducing damage. While I believe it is intended solely to reduce hit point damage, anyone could argue that this could also reduce the amount of ability damage is taken if it affects someone with in the area of Bastion of Good.
Hopefully someone can answer this or point me to some errata? I've been looking though it is possible I missed something? In any case, I definitely want to try this archetype at some point in the future whether it be in a home game, or Society play. Thanks!
