Magic shield effects

[Action]

So Vine Shield doesn't check MR, but works on everyone no matter what, although they get to swing first?

Amazing if true, but seems to agree with in game testing (that first round of combat often makes or breaks borderline thugs with vine shield)

So at a minimum, it reduces attacks by 50% (attack one turn, break out one turn, attack one turn, repeat, but often a lot more vs low strength units?

Confirms my opinion that it's way more broadly useful than gleaming gold, although gleaming gold is probably better for really wimpy mage thugs facing PD etc.