An ethereal barrier of spikes, made of magical force, interposes itself between you and an attacker. Until your next turn, when you are hit by a melee attack, the barrier reduces the damage your are dealt by 2d4, and deals the same amount of piercing damage to the attacker.

The shield is ineffective against ranged attackers, but still provides a +2 bonus to AC (treat as half cover) against them for the duration.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot above 1st level, increase the spell's effect by an additional 1d4 for every slot level above 1st.