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Mage Armor

Abjuration
Level: 1st-level
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 8 hours
Components: V, S, M
Materials: A piece of cured leather.

You touch a willing creature who isn't wearing armor, and a protective magical force surrounds it until the spell ends. The target's base AC becomes 13 + its Dexterity modifier. The spell ends if the target dons armor or if you dismiss the spell as an action.

Spell Details

School: Abjuration
Level: 1
Ritual: No
Concentration: No
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard
A-Tier Essential defensive spell for unarmored casters, providing reliable AC scaling that remains relevant throughout early-to-mid game.

Player Guide

Cast Mage Armor before combat begins since it requires a touch and lasts 8 hours, making it ideal for preparation. The spell is particularly valuable for wizards, sorcerers, and monks who lack heavy armor proficiency. Focus on maintaining concentration during combat and prioritize staying out of melee range, as your improved AC (typically 13-17) is still inferior to heavy armor users.

DM Tips

Remind casters to cast this during downtime/long rests for maximum uptime. Be clear that it ends when armor is donned, preventing exploitation of stacking benefits.