Ring of Force Shield

[Storm Queen]

In M&T, a Ring of Force Shield allows the user to project a 'Heavy Shield' in front of them. However, there is no Heavy Shield in the equipment list. Also, most shields only do +1, so aren't the effects of a Ring of Force Shield mostly duplicated by a Ring of Protection +1?
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[serleran]

"Heavy shield" should be "large shield." And no, it is not identical to a ring of protection +1. A shield can prevent you from being seen, and therefore, not subject to effects that rely on vision - your shield, perhaps, but not you, and that can be a very subtly powerful difference. For example, a spell such as magic missile requires that the target is visible, so, if you're a halfling fighter behind a "large shield" you're practically invisible, save for the shield, which cannot be targeted by the spell... so, you're safe from it. Better hope that spellcaster doesn't have a sleep...

Of course, that assumes its actually not see-through.
However, even if it is, as a shield of force, its not subject to a lot of saving throws, and can be used in a lot of ways that even a magical shield would not. And that, in my opinion, makes it better than a ring of protection.

[Fiffergrund]

Also, keep in mind that shields only work when the wielder can see the attack coming. A ring of protection would protect against all attacks. Therefore, any sort of surprise attack would ignore a shield bonus, while a ring of protection is "always on."
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Sir Fiffergrund, Lord Marshal of the Castle and Crusade Society.

He Who Hides Behind The Elephant's Back