It's just a +2 to AC
Well besides the function of being a pretty good shield which takes up a ring slot for mages, what else can it do? I'm pointing at the wall of force part of the description specifically.
Wall of Force's first paragraph touches on how the "shield" can be destroyed but since it can be activated and deactivated at will as a free action I'm just going to assume that it can be remade at any time.
The thing I'm wondering about is the second paragraph.
There is no facing in PF, so how exactly is the directions the "shield" blocks from determined? The same with ethereal creatures. Does that mean they cannot attack with their ethereal weapons? Or would the benefit against such items/creatures only be the +2?
Only +2 AC except in rare cicumstances. Plus, someone can try sundering your shield, but sadly you'll just make another.
What about spells? What sort of spells is blocked (wall of force doesn't even mention anyway)
Unless the only way to hit you is a small area that can be covered with the shield (arrow slit), it will just be a +2 no blockage.
it remains a force effect, so it still works against incorporeal creatures.
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The big benefit I've seen is people with 2-h weapons can use a free action to bring down the shield, grab weapon 2/2nd hand, perform their iterative attacks, let go with one hand, then use a free action bring to the shield back up.
This gives them +2 AC while waiting around, but it means they are holding their 2-h weapon with only one hand and so that affects any attacks of opportunity they might have had.
That is assuming you rule grabbing/letting go of a weapon is a free action. that is a lot of free actions piled up, so some DMs might rule that is too much.
But other than that, the main benefit is it is weightless, and the force effects as mentioned, and no polishing etc.
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The big benefit I've seen is people with 2-h weapons can use a free action to bring down the shield, grab weapon 2/2nd hand, perform their iterative attacks, let go with one hand, then use a free action bring to the shield back up.
Yeah - that wouldn't work.
The Ring of Force Shield "must be wielded as if it were a Heavy Shield".
This means you have to dedicate a hand to it - so that hand can't be used for wielding a weapon.
Edit: Remember - combat rounds are just an abstraction we use. Characters don't actually take turns attacking each other. It all happens at once.
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While it is "raised" you have to wield it, but you can "lower" the shield, and then use the hand for other things. Sorry if that was not clear. It specifies it is a free action to raise or lower the shield, unlike most magic items.
edit: I would rule a riposte or similar immediate action by the attacked character would come before the PC could raise his shield back up of course, because it's at the same time.
But I would not remove the order of actions just because they are abstractions.
Though the DM is the arbiter of how many free actions you can take, so I can certainly see people saying it is too cheesy, or the PC is simply not quick enough and dexterous enough to do that. But by RAW I think it is possible.
My group just lets people do this because, why not, it's just +2 and takes up a ring slot. Otherwise the item is not terribly useful.
Can't you just use the magic item creation rules to make a ring that gives you a constant shield spell, which would then be better in every way? Doesn't take a hand, +4 shield bonus, and blocks magic missiles. And a continuous CL 1, 1st lvl spell should be 1*1*1000*2 or just 2,000g.
You forgot to multiply for duration correctly I think.
It is 2K x caster 1 x spell lv 1 =2K. Then duration 2x multiplier if duration min/lvSo the asterisk means that you multiply by 2 I think.
So 4K.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items
How did you get 1x1x1?
Could you shield bash with it? It's weightless, but it says it works like a heavy shield. It would be a very expensive way to hide a fairly useful weapon.
Ooo, and you could shield bash ghosts. That would make it a pretty cheap "ghost touch" weapon.
Can't you just use the magic item creation rules to make a ring that gives you a constant shield spell, which would then be better in every way? Doesn't take a hand, +4 shield bonus, and blocks magic missiles. And a continuous CL 1, 1st lvl spell should be 1*1*1000*2 or just 2,000g.
No.
Many factors must be considered when determining the price of new magic items. The easiest way to come up with a price is to compare the new item to an item that is already priced, using that price as a guide.
An item providing a continuous +4 shield bonus to AC would use the "AC bonus (other)" formula: Bonus squared x 2,500 gp; 4 x 4 x 2,500 gp = 40,000 gp.
Note that a ring of force shield is 8,500 gp, pretty close to the 10,000 gp that a continuous +2 shield bonus item would be. There is a 1,500 gp (15%) saving because you have to activate the effect and you can't use one hand while it's up.
Could you shield bash with it? It's weightless, but it says it works like a heavy shield. It would be a very expensive way to hide a fairly useful weapon.
Ooo, and you could shield bash ghosts. That would make it a pretty cheap "ghost touch" weapon.
Yes, "this simple ring generates a shield-sized (and shield-shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield..." Granted, it only does 1d4 damage (assuming a Medium size character) and, RAW, it can't be enhanced by magic weapon/greater magic weapon (as the wall of force effect is not an object), so it's not that great of a weapon.