[RPG] use Shield Spell to protect me from other attacks than just physicals and magic missiles

attackdnd-5espells

The PHB says that:

An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. Until the start of your next turn, you have a +5 bonus to AC, including against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.

It seems that any attack type may trigger the Shield spell, physical or magical, plus we take no damage from magic missile.

You can say, "No, it only prevents physical damage and magic missile", but I'm assuming that it's covering magic missile because this spell always hits, making the +5 on AC useless. So, IMO, I think it prevents any type of damage, plus magic missiles (since that always hits).

For example, say I'm in combat with a dragon, and it breathes fire at me.

Can I use Shield in this case, or is it useless for this type of attack?

Best Answer

Shield prevents damage from Magic Missile. It also boosts your AC, potentially preventing damage from any other attack as well.

In 5th edition, armor class (AC) is used to protect against any attack requiring an attack roll (melee, ranged and magic).

I think the confusion comes from the fact that some spells do not require attack rolls, and yet still inflict damage. Fireball for example does not require the caster to make an attack roll, so your armor class cannot protect you from the damage. Fireball, instead, requires the target(s) to make a saving throw.

Dragon's breath works the same way. It requires the targets to make a saving throw, and does not require the dragon to make an attack roll. As a result, the shield spell will not help you.