Shields against magic or unusual attacks
Characters who have the shield proficiency Merit can apply the same passive defense bonus against magical ray attacks that they would get against regular rocks and arrows.
Dragon's breath or wide area Invocation spells are another story. A non-magical shield will not negate this kind of attack but they can diminish it, assuming the shield is larger than a buckler.
In this case, the ranged passive defense bonus against ranged attacks is treated as successes deducted from the attacker's damage roll.
If the defender is actively trying to parry the attack, half their parry successes add to this value, rounded up.
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