1) The third element of the Protection from Evil spell (see para IV in Mage & Cleric spell descriptions below) is the barrier. Creatures affected by this barrier are prevent from physically touching the recipient of the spell (some examples are: touch, claw, or bite attacks). This element does not prevent the creatures affected from hitting the recipient of the spell with melee weapons, missile weapons, spells, or any other attack that does not require a touch by the creature.
2) When pushing affected creatures back with the third element of the spell (the barrier), the creature is forced back at half it's movement rate.
3) The spell is broken by Melee attacks against affected creatures, all other attack forms do not break the spell. Two good examples of attacks that do not break the spell are missiles and other spells.
4) The spell only prevents bodily contact by any creature (regardless of alignment) of an extraplanar or conjured/summoned nature. This spell would not stop the touch of a vampire, nor the touch of a wraith as they are not conjured, summoned, or extraplanar.
1. Ref: 2nd Edition Player’s Handbook
Mage spell: Protection From Evil
(Abjuration) Reversible
Range: Touch Components: V, S, M
Duration: 2 rds./level Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: Creature touched Saving Throw: None
I. When this spell is cast, it creates a magical barrier around the recipient at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the recipient and has three major effects:
II. First, all attacks made by evil (or evilly enchanted) creatures against the protected creature suffer -2 penalties to attack rolls; any saving throws caused by such attacks are made with +2 bonuses.
III. Second, any attempt to possess (as by a magic jar attack) or to exercise mental control over (as by a vampire's charm ability) the protected creature is blocked by this spell. Note that the protection does not prevent a vampire's charm itself, but it does prevent the exercise of mental control through the barrier. Likewise, a possessing life force is merely kept out. It would not be expelled if in place before the protection is cast.
IV. Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by creatures of an extraplanar or conjured nature (such as aerial servants, elementals, imps, invisible stalkers, salamanders, water weirds, xorn, and others). This causes the natural (body) weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creatures to recoil, if such attacks require touching the protected being. Animals or monsters summoned or conjured by spells or similar magic are likewise hedged from the character.
V. This protection ends if the protected character makes a melee attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature.
VI. To complete this spell, the wizard must trace a 3-foot-diameter circle on the floor (or ground) with powdered silver.
VII. This spell can be reversed to become protection from good; the second and third benefits remain unchanged. The material component for the reverse is a circle of powdered iron.
Cleric spell: Protection From Evil
(Abjuration) Reversible
Sphere: Protection
Range: Touch Components: V, S, M
Duration: 3 rds./level Casting Time: 4
Area of Effect: 1 creature Saving Throw: None
I. When this spell is cast, it creates a magical barrier around the recipient at a distance of 1 foot. The barrier moves with the recipient and has three major effects:
II. First, all attacks made by evil or evilly enchanted creatures against the protected creature receive a penalty of -2 to each attack roll, and any saving throws caused by such attacks are made by the protected creature with a +2 bonus.
III. Second, any attempt to exercise mental control over the protected creature (if, for example, it has been charmed by a vampire) or to invade and take over its mind (as by a ghost's magic jar attack) is blocked by this spell. Note that the protection does not prevent a vampire's charm itself, nor end it, but it does prevent the vampire from exercising mental control through the barrier. Likewise, an outside life force is merely kept out, and would not be expelled if in place before the protection was cast.
IV. Third, the spell prevents bodily contact by creatures of an extraplanar or conjured nature (such as aerial servants, elementals, imps, invisible stalkers, salamanders, water weirds, xorn, and others). This causes the natural (body) weapon attacks of such creatures to fail and the creature to recoil if such attacks require touching the protected creature. Animals or monsters summoned or conjured by spells or similar magic are likewise hedged from the character. This protection ends if the protected character makes a melee attack against or tries to force the barrier against the blocked creature.
V. To complete this spell, the priest uses holy water or burning incense.
VI. This spell can be reversed to become protection from good, with the second and third benefits remaining unchanged.
VII. The material components for the reverse are a circle of unholy water or smoldering dung.