This spell protects the caster against the hostile usage of magical items upon his person. There are two applications of Artifice Shield. The first allows the caster to render himself immune to the magical effects of the item touched during casting. If, at any time in the future, the magical item is used with hostile intent against the caster of Artifice Shield, he gains the benefit of 100% magic resistance versus the item in question. The protection only applies against a single usage of the item; afterwards, the caster is subject to the item's effects as normal. The spell's duration is effectively permanent until triggered.

The second application of Artifice Shield is usable during the actual creation of a magical item. By casting this spell upon a magical item during the creation process, the caster renders himself permanently immune to any and all applications of the item's magical ability. The 100% MR versus the magical item does not fade after the first triggering, but is indeed permanent. This application of Artifice Shield must be researched per individual magical item being created, and adds roughly 50% to the cost of the item (additional components, research time, etc).

Artifice Shield does not protect against willing applications of magical items. A mage who had cast the spell upon his wand of fireballs could not voluntarily detonate a ground-zero Fireball without suffering the effects of the blast himself. Such usage of Artifice Shield instantly ends the spell, as well as causing the caster to suffer the full possible effect of the magic item (ie - no saving throw versus the Fireball, as well as suffering maximum damage from the spell).