Divine Magic • Core Spell Reference

Protection from Chaos

This is a legacy spell. The published Pathfinder and 3.5 mechanics appear below; fifth-edition characters use their own edition’s spell list.

Protection from Chaos at a Glance

Pathfinder 1e	Level 1
D&D 3.5e	Level 1
Browse	Cleric spells • Cleric class

Spell Rules

Pathfinder 1eD&D 3.5e

Protection from Chaos — Pathfinder 1e

Cleric spell level 1. Edition source.

School	abjuration [lawful]
Level	cleric 1, paladin 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time	1 standard action
Components	V, S, M/DF
Range	touch
Target	creature touched
Duration	1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw	Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance	no; see text

Base Procedure

This spell wards a creature from attacks by evil creatures, from mental control, and from summoned creatures. It creates a magical barrier around the subject at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the subject and has three major effects.

First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.

Second, the subject immediately receives another saving throw (if one was allowed to begin with) against any spells or effects that possess or exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment [charm] effects and enchantment [compulsion] effects, such as charm person, command, and dominate person. This saving throw is made with a +2 morale bonus, using the same DC as the original effect. If successful, such effects are suppressed for the duration of this spell. The effects resume when the duration of this spell expires. While under the effects of this spell, the target is immune to any new attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target. This spell does not expel a controlling life force (such as a ghost or spellcaster using magic jar), but it does prevent them from controlling the target. This second effect only functions against spells and effects created by evil creatures or objects, subject to GM discretion.

Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures. This causes the natural weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil if such attacks require touching the warded creature. Summoned creatures that are not evil are immune to this effect. The protection against contact by summoned creatures ends if the warded creature makes an attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature. Spell resistance can allow a creature to overcome this protection and touch the warded creature.

Changes and Additional Effects

Changes for this spell: the deflection and resistance bonuses apply to attacks made by chaotic creatures. The target receives a new saving throw against control by chaotic creatures and chaotic summoned creatures cannot touch the target.

Protection from Chaos — D&D 3.5e

Cleric spell level 1. Edition source.

School	Abjuration [Lawful]
Level	Clr 1, Law 1, Pal 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components	V, S, M/DF
Casting Time	1 standard action
Range	Touch
Target	Creature touched
Duration	1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw	Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance	No; see text

Base Procedure

First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.

Second, the barrier blocks any attempt to possess the warded creature (by a magic jar attack, for example) or to exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment (charm) effects and enchantment (compulsion) effects that grant the caster ongoing control over the subject, such as dominate person). The protection does not prevent such effects from targeting the protected creature, but it suppresses the effect for the duration of the protection from evil effect. If the protection from evil effect ends before the effect granting mental control does, the would-be controller would then be able to mentally command the controlled creature. Likewise, the barrier keeps out a possessing life force but does not expel one if it is in place before the spell is cast. This second effect works regardless of alignment.

Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by summoned creatures. This causes the natural weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil if such attacks require touching the warded creature. Good summoned creatures are immune to this effect. The protection against contact by summoned creatures ends if the warded creature makes an attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature. Spell resistance can allow a creature to overcome this protection and touch the warded creature.

Arcane Material Component: A little powdered silver with which you trace a 3-foot -diameter circle on the floor (or ground) around the creature to be warded.

Changes and Additional Effects

Changes for this spell: the deflection and resistance bonuses apply to attacks from chaotic creatures, and chaotic summoned creatures cannot touch the subject.

Rules Sources and Licensing

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