Marble Shield - 4th level druid spell

[Barrok]

Marble Shield
Conjuration (creation) (earth)
Level: druid 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Duration: 1 round per level (D)
Saving Throw: Special (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes
A shield made from pure white thick marble covers your shield arm. The marble shield give you +8 shield bonus to AC and has a 0% chance of spell failure. You can decide to end the spell early in two ways: firstly letting the shield be dismissed and watch as it quickly evaporates into nothingness, leaving your arm devoid of marble; or secondly where as a full attack you launch the shield at any creature within 100ft, making a Ranged Attack to hit it. On a successful hit you cause 1d8 + Str bonus damage but also the creature must make a fort save or be stunnedfor 1 round per 2 caster levels (max 7 rounds) as their body takes on a pale white hue, as a side effect they also gain an increase of +2 natural armour .

Material Component: A pinch of marble dust

[Scorch]

Is marble subject to the effects of the Rock to mud spell, if so this makes a lovely defensive AND offensive spell.

*imagines army of marble wielding druids and drools*

[MindForge]

I don't think this is a ranged touch attack, just a ranged attack because armor would come into question against the marble.

Also, the round based petrify effect should be dropped, too powerful for 4th level. The spell is too versatile for a 4th level spell. Maybe the spell could encase them or affix them to the ground in some manner. Even then though, I think it is too versatile. Because you get armor, a weapon, and an effect out of the deal. Stack that with some sort of strength bonus spell and you are set to dish out high bottom line damage.

The damage isn't really the issue here though, it is the armor effect and then a petrify effect. A slow effect or something similar might be better, reduced movement as they become part marble. Does this give them an AC bonus?

[Barrok]

but really for them to be turned to marble they have to take damage - as it was a non permanent petrification effect could maybe lessening the time elapsed be better - as mud shield slows a target down.. or actually making the level higher?

[MindForge]

I think creating a dazed effect or partial stun for several rounds might be better or its level increased 1 and the duration dropped. But then it might seem a little weak... I don't know.. your call man.

[Barrok]

Thanks for the advice I am a bit flummoxed over what to do with it to be honest (though I swear I have never flummed an ox!! or will do in the near future!!)

does this sound okay..

A shield made from pure white thick marble covers your shield arm. The marble shield give you +8 shield bonus to AC and has a 0% chance of spell failure. You can decide to end the spell early in two ways: firstly letting the shield be dismissed and watch as it quickly evaporates into nothingness, leaving your arm devoid of marble; or secondly where as a full attack you launch the shield at any creature within 100ft, making a Ranged Attack to hit it. On a successful hit you cause 1d8 + Str bonus damage but also the creature must make a fort save or be dazed for 1 round per caster level as their body takes on a pale white hue, as a side effect they also gain an increase of +2 natural armour .

[MindForge]

That is better. Normally a dazed condition does not last more than one round, but I personally can see how it can in this case. I would go with 1 round per 2 caster levels... At the first level this spell can be gained it would take them out for 3 rounds... Most fights in 3.5 never advance past 5-6 rounds. So this 4th level spell with the reduced rounds would still own in combat. It is kind of a percieved limitation. Otherwise, this would be a glass cannon spell and if hit and a save is missed you take a target out of the fight.

[Barrok]

Thanks for that MF I changed dazed to stunned.. I may have to re think that perhaps just have it as a blanket -1 circumstance bonus to attack, damage and saves.

[Firefox15]

if the caster makes a ranged attack with the marble shield, how would the caster take into effect the opposition being flat footed or a moving target?

[Barrok]

It depends on if the target was flat footed or moving.. So lets say that a creature was moving away from the caster as they throw the shield at them like a medieval Captain America. It gets them from behind thus they have no dexterity bonus added to their AC - thus counted as flat footed. A DM may rule that if the creature is trying its best to dodge the shield by defensively weaving around that the caster may get a penalty to their attack.