A question regarding armor [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question regarding armor [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
the_icon
03-06-07, 12:46 AM Let me start off by saying that I'm a new-ish player, with enough practice to know most of the basic guidelines of the game (but by no means a master of them). That said, I have a question about what seems a nice little piece of armor that was awarded to me today.

The armor in question is a +4 Glamered Chain Shirt of Etherealness, and my quandary is this: This armor only adds a +4 Armor Bonus to my AC and nothing more, correct?

I only ask because my friend seems to think that I get an additional +4 to AC [from the '+4' noted in the title of the armor] on top of the +4 I would get for its being a chain shirt.

It all sounds very complicated to me, and I'd appreciate some clarity on this issue.
Kouk
03-06-07, 01:08 AM When there is a +4 (or any number) in front of the name of armor or weapons, it is the base item +4 armor class (or damage dealt for weapons).

Chain shirt normally gives 4 armor, with max 4 dexterity points bonus and -2 armor check.

A +4 Chain Shirt would give 8 armor, max 4 dexterity point bonus and -1 armor check. The magic placed on the chain shirt makes it better than a normal chain shirt, so higher armor class. For an item to be enchanted with magic, it has to also be masterwork, so that is why the armor check penalty is -1 instead of the normal -2.

If you were specifically awarded a +4 Chain shirt (sometimes said as chain shirt +4) then it will give you 8 armor class. I would say ask your DM if you are not sure whether it has a magical enhancement bonus.

I assume you are playing fairly high level characters though? Glamered and Etherealness aren't cheap enchantments on armor.
the_icon
03-06-07, 01:15 AM First of all, thanks for the quick (and informative!) reply, it was a ton of help.

Secondly, I was acting as a mercenary spellcaster today for a group (comprised mainly of characters almost twice my level) whose wizard player had not shown up. As a mercenary, my price was first pick of the treasure, and this just happened to be pried off of the chest of a very nasty sorcerer. A very lucky day, if you ask me.
Loki5654
03-06-07, 02:26 AM A very lucky day, if you ask me.
A lucky day to the tune of 67,950gp.

That's 33,975gp if you sell it.

Sounds like either a very lucky day or the DM wasn't truly aware of the value of the armor.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
the_icon 03-06-07, 12:46 AM	Let me start off by saying that I'm a new-ish player, with enough practice to know most of the basic guidelines of the game (but by no means a master of them). That said, I have a question about what seems a nice little piece of armor that was awarded to me today. The armor in question is a +4 Glamered Chain Shirt of Etherealness, and my quandary is this: This armor only adds a +4 Armor Bonus to my AC and nothing more, correct? I only ask because my friend seems to think that I get an additional +4 to AC [from the '+4' noted in the title of the armor] on top of the +4 I would get for its being a chain shirt. It all sounds very complicated to me, and I'd appreciate some clarity on this issue.
Kouk 03-06-07, 01:08 AM	When there is a +4 (or any number) in front of the name of armor or weapons, it is the base item +4 armor class (or damage dealt for weapons). Chain shirt normally gives 4 armor, with max 4 dexterity points bonus and -2 armor check. A +4 Chain Shirt would give 8 armor, max 4 dexterity point bonus and -1 armor check. The magic placed on the chain shirt makes it better than a normal chain shirt, so higher armor class. For an item to be enchanted with magic, it has to also be masterwork, so that is why the armor check penalty is -1 instead of the normal -2. If you were specifically awarded a +4 Chain shirt (sometimes said as chain shirt +4) then it will give you 8 armor class. I would say ask your DM if you are not sure whether it has a magical enhancement bonus. I assume you are playing fairly high level characters though? Glamered and Etherealness aren't cheap enchantments on armor.
the_icon 03-06-07, 01:15 AM	First of all, thanks for the quick (and informative!) reply, it was a ton of help. Secondly, I was acting as a mercenary spellcaster today for a group (comprised mainly of characters almost twice my level) whose wizard player had not shown up. As a mercenary, my price was first pick of the treasure, and this just happened to be pried off of the chest of a very nasty sorcerer. A very lucky day, if you ask me.
Loki5654 03-06-07, 02:26 AM	A very lucky day, if you ask me. A lucky day to the tune of 67,950gp. That's 33,975gp if you sell it. Sounds like either a very lucky day or the DM wasn't truly aware of the value of the armor.