Shield of Faith is a 1st-level abjuration spell for Clerics and Paladins. As a bonus action, you give one creature within 60 feet a +2 bonus to AC for up to 10 minutes, with concentration. It doesn't scale with higher slots. The 2024 version is the same except for its material component, a prayer scroll.
Shield of Faith is a flat +2 to AC that lasts a whole fight, or several fights within 10 minutes. On a d20, +2 AC removes two faces from the attacker's hit range. Against an attacker who needs 12 or higher, that is a 45% chance to hit dropping to 35%, about one hit in five prevented.
Two things make it efficient. It costs a bonus action, so you still have your action. And it lasts 10 minutes, so a cast before the door opens covers the whole encounter.
The cost is concentration. Shield of Faith competes with Bless, Spirit Guardians, Hold Person, and every other concentration spell a Cleric or Paladin wants. It wins when the party's front line is taking most of the hits and nothing else needs your concentration.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | 1 |
| School | Abjuration |
| Casting Time | 1 bonus action |
| Range | 60 feet |
| Components | V, S, M |
| Material | A small parchment with a bit of holy text written on it. |
| Duration | Up to 10 minutes |
| Concentration | Yes |
| Ritual | No |
| Save/Attack | None |
| Classes | Cleric, Paladin |
Clerics have it from 1st level and Paladins from 2nd level in the 2014 rules. In 2024, Paladins get spells at level 1, and the Oath of Devotion always has it prepared from level 3.
| Metric | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Slot Efficiency | Good. A 1st-level slot for up to 10 minutes of +2 AC. |
| Action Economy | Bonus action, so you keep your action. |
| Opportunity Cost | Concentration, which most Cleric and Paladin spells also want. |
When worth the slot: A long fight against several attackers who target one front-liner.
When NOT worth the slot: Short fights, saving-throw-heavy enemies, or when your concentration is already on a better spell.
Shield of Faith has no higher-level effect. Always cast it with a 1st-level slot.
Why it works: The spell lasts up to 10 minutes. Cast it outside the room and your bonus action is free on the first turn.
This avoids the mistake of: Spending round one on a buff you could have had ready.
Why it works: +2 AC is worth more on a creature taking many attacks. A fighter facing three bandits benefits three times per round; the rogue hiding at range benefits zero times.
This avoids the mistake of: Buffing yourself by reflex when the tank is taking the hits.
Why it works: Different spells add together. Shield of Faith plus the Shield spell is +7 AC. Half cover adds another +2 (see the cover rules).
This avoids the mistake of: Thinking AC bonuses never stack. Only the same spell twice doesn't stack.
Why it works: If you cast it on yourself as a front-liner, every hit forces a Constitution save (DC 10 or half the damage, whichever is higher). The extra AC means fewer hits, which means fewer saves.
This avoids the mistake of: Forgetting the concentration check after a hit and keeping a spell you already lost.
Why it's bad: Two castings of the same spell don't stack. Two clerics casting Shield of Faith on one fighter give +2, not +4.
Do this instead: The second cleric casts Bless or something else.
Why it's bad: In 2014, if you cast a spell as a bonus action, the only other spell you can cast that turn is a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. In 2024, you can expend only one spell slot per turn.
Do this instead: Pair Shield of Faith with a cantrip, an attack, or the Dodge action on the same turn.
Why it's bad: You can concentrate on one spell at a time. Casting Bless ends Shield of Faith. In 2014, Divine Favor and Branding Smite also need concentration.
Do this instead: Decide before the fight which concentration spell the party needs.
The 2024 spell is the same in play: 1st-level abjuration, Bonus Action, 60 feet, +2 AC, Concentration up to 10 minutes, Cleric and Paladin. The material component changed from a parchment with holy text to a prayer scroll.
The changes around it matter more. The 2024 Oath of Devotion always has Shield of Faith prepared from level 3, and the 2024 Cleric's prepared spell list recommends it at level 1. In 2024, Spiritual Weapon needs concentration, so a Cleric can no longer run it alongside Shield of Faith. The 2024 rule that you can expend only one spell slot per turn replaces the 2014 bonus-action spell rule.
It gives one creature within 60 feet a +2 bonus to AC for up to 10 minutes. It takes a bonus action and concentration.
Yes. Effects of different spells add together, so Shield of Faith and Shield give +7 AC combined.
No. The same spell cast twice on one creature gives only the highest bonus, +2.
Yes, up to 10 minutes. It ends if you cast another concentration spell or fail a concentration save.
Yes. It targets a creature of your choice within range, which can be you.
In 2014, only a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action. In 2024, any spell that doesn't use a spell slot, such as a cantrip, because you can expend only one slot per turn.
When your concentration is free and one creature is taking most of the attacks, yes. A +2 AC prevents about one hit in five against a typical attacker. Bless on three allies is often better for the same slot.
Clerics and Paladins in both editions. 2024 Oath of Devotion paladins always have it prepared from level 3.
Citations: SRD 5.1 (2014 rules), SRD 5.2.1 (2024 rules)
Includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
This page includes material from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2.1 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Loreify is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast.
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