Quote Originally Posted by Buffalobiian View Post
So if barriers don't actually use mana to block magic but simply cost mana to maintain duration and area, then weak physical attacks are simply pointless - such as the girl with flying rocks. If a physical attack's advantage is in circumventing barriers, then those that don't are just as (in)effective as Zoltraak. A barrage of rocks requires the same shield size/duration to block as much as similarly-sized Zoltraak attacks. I suppose lifting 100 rocks might be different from controlling 100 Zoltraaks though.

Fern also said it "feels like a cannon" when she blocked her rocks. If the shields only cost mana to maintain duration and area, it shouldn't "feel" like anything. It either blocks or doesn't, or feels draining to maintain because of a long duration or large area of effect.
The barrier spell is made for Zoltraak. It is not made to deflect rocks. It does deflect rocks to a degree, but Richter's point is that unless it is modified, which slows down the casting time, the barrier is not strong enough to block repeated physical attacks.

Fern correctly realized the same thing Richter was explaining to the duo.

Stop overthinking this.

Frieren and Fern use the basics because it always gets the job done. Zoltraak is made for killing. Barrier is made for defending against Zoltraak. Zoltraak is very efficient, has no telegraphed casting, its casting time is effectively zero, and when well-controlled has incredible range (as shown by Fern when she was young).