about the Monk's belt [Archive] - Wizards Community

about the Monk's belt [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jokke
03-10-06, 07:15 AM Just a quick question that came up recently during my last game session the magic item Monk's belt: Say a none monk were to wear it would the belt allow him to add his Wisdoms bonus to AC?
JadeSpider9643
03-10-06, 07:22 AM Just a quick question that came up recently during my last game session the magic item Monk's belt: Say a none monk were to wear it would the belt allow him to add his Wisdoms bonus to AC?
There is no clear answer, this point is HIGHLY debated. (and by "debated" I mean munchkins spam the forums shouting out that it does, in hopes that they can convince more people just by being louder)

For the price of the belt, giving the ability to add your Wisdom to your AC is EXTREMELY underpriced, but if you/your DM decides to use it that way, remember that it will work EXACTLY like the monk ability, namely it works only while you are unarmored, with no shield.
Esponer
03-10-06, 09:37 AM As written, it's difficult to dispute the apparent fact that it grants you your Wisdom bonus to AC. However, as far as I can tell many players do not play it this way, citing precedents in the costs of items. If you want to have the upper ground in terms of RAW (Rules As Written), then go with it granting you your Wisdom bonus to AC. However, if you're the DM you should seriously consider vetoing it.
Tacomannerism
03-10-06, 10:10 AM It's really very clear:

From the 3.5 DMG:

"If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk's AC bonus" (emphasis mine)

It is plainly clear that a non-monk character DOES get to add his/her Wisdom to AC (as a 5th level Monk does). It is also plainly clear that this AC is treated exactly as a Monk's AC - "When unarmored and unencumbered the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to AC). In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level..."

How can you read that any other way? It's not underpriced, because you have to take your armor off to get any benefit from it... that's a pretty large sacrifice for most characters. You'd need a Wisdom of 18 just to have AC equal to a mundane Chain Shirt.
babysamurai
03-10-06, 10:28 AM It's really very clear:

From the 3.5 DMG:

"If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk's AC bonus" (emphasis mine)

It is plainly clear that a non-monk character DOES get to add his/her Wisdom to AC (as a 5th level Monk does). It is also plainly clear that this AC is treated exactly as a Monk's AC - "When unarmored and unencumbered the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to AC). In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level..."

How can you read that any other way? It's not underpriced, because you have to take your armor off to get any benefit from it... that's a pretty large sacrifice for most characters. You'd need a Wisdom of 18 just to have AC equal to a mundane Chain Shirt.

Damn straight!
ManTimeForgot
03-10-06, 11:09 AM My only problem is that the Monk's Belt doesn't do diddly squat for a monk compared to the benefit it grants to non-monks.

For a non-monk this belt might as well be called the belt of giving me a bunch of AC.

For a monk this might as well be called the waist rope of giving me 1/3 of 1 feat at 5 times the cost.

MTF
mvincent
03-10-06, 12:18 PM (and by "debated" I mean munchkins spam the forums shouting out that it does, in hopes that they can convince more people just by being louder)That seemed uncalled for. Both opinions seem valid, and as mentioned, RAW does seem to lend itself to the interpretation of those "munchkins".

It seems balanced to me, since the extra AC only applies when unarmored and unencumbered (and it seems like the writer's made the belt with this in mind). No?

Has WotC custserv been asked yet?
mvincent
03-10-06, 12:29 PM For a monk this might as well be called the waist rope of giving me 1/3 of 1 feat at 5 times the cost.At higher levels the cost isn't very much, and I learned it improved the AC of my wife's 15th level monk by +1, and her damage by +7.5 points per hit (which was huge since she could attack nine times in a full attack).
Tacomannerism
03-10-06, 01:00 PM My only problem is that the Monk's Belt doesn't do diddly squat for a monk compared to the benefit it grants to non-monks.

For a non-monk this belt might as well be called the belt of giving me a bunch of AC.

For a monk this might as well be called the waist rope of giving me 1/3 of 1 feat at 5 times the cost.

MTF

I would argue that a Monk's Belt does the same if not more for a Monk than for a non-monk. Monks are already built to make full use of the Wisdom bonus to AC. Non-monks have to take off what might very well be better armor if they want to make use of this AC boost (which might end up being the opposite of a boost). It really gives about the same damage boost to both monks and non-monks.. monks are even more likely to be focused on their unarmed attacks already so it caters to them. A non-monk gives up quite a bit in order to benefit from half of what this belt does.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jokke 03-10-06, 07:15 AM	Just a quick question that came up recently during my last game session the magic item Monk's belt: Say a none monk were to wear it would the belt allow him to add his Wisdoms bonus to AC?
JadeSpider9643 03-10-06, 07:22 AM	Just a quick question that came up recently during my last game session the magic item Monk's belt: Say a none monk were to wear it would the belt allow him to add his Wisdoms bonus to AC? There is no clear answer, this point is HIGHLY debated. (and by "debated" I mean munchkins spam the forums shouting out that it does, in hopes that they can convince more people just by being louder) For the price of the belt, giving the ability to add your Wisdom to your AC is EXTREMELY underpriced, but if you/your DM decides to use it that way, remember that it will work EXACTLY like the monk ability, namely it works only while you are unarmored, with no shield.
Esponer 03-10-06, 09:37 AM	As written, it's difficult to dispute the apparent fact that it grants you your Wisdom bonus to AC. However, as far as I can tell many players do not play it this way, citing precedents in the costs of items. If you want to have the upper ground in terms of RAW (Rules As Written), then go with it granting you your Wisdom bonus to AC. However, if you're the DM you should seriously consider vetoing it.
Tacomannerism 03-10-06, 10:10 AM	It's really very clear: From the 3.5 DMG: "If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk's AC bonus" (emphasis mine) It is plainly clear that a non-monk character DOES get to add his/her Wisdom to AC (as a 5th level Monk does). It is also plainly clear that this AC is treated exactly as a Monk's AC - "When unarmored and unencumbered the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to AC). In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level..." How can you read that any other way? It's not underpriced, because you have to take your armor off to get any benefit from it... that's a pretty large sacrifice for most characters. You'd need a Wisdom of 18 just to have AC equal to a mundane Chain Shirt.
babysamurai 03-10-06, 10:28 AM	It's really very clear: From the 3.5 DMG: "If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk's AC bonus" (emphasis mine) It is plainly clear that a non-monk character DOES get to add his/her Wisdom to AC (as a 5th level Monk does). It is also plainly clear that this AC is treated exactly as a Monk's AC - "When unarmored and unencumbered the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to AC). In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level..." How can you read that any other way? It's not underpriced, because you have to take your armor off to get any benefit from it... that's a pretty large sacrifice for most characters. You'd need a Wisdom of 18 just to have AC equal to a mundane Chain Shirt. Damn straight!
ManTimeForgot 03-10-06, 11:09 AM	My only problem is that the Monk's Belt doesn't do diddly squat for a monk compared to the benefit it grants to non-monks. For a non-monk this belt might as well be called the belt of giving me a bunch of AC. For a monk this might as well be called the waist rope of giving me 1/3 of 1 feat at 5 times the cost. MTF
mvincent 03-10-06, 12:18 PM	(and by "debated" I mean munchkins spam the forums shouting out that it does, in hopes that they can convince more people just by being louder)That seemed uncalled for. Both opinions seem valid, and as mentioned, RAW does seem to lend itself to the interpretation of those "munchkins". It seems balanced to me, since the extra AC only applies when unarmored and unencumbered (and it seems like the writer's made the belt with this in mind). No? Has WotC custserv been asked yet?
mvincent 03-10-06, 12:29 PM	For a monk this might as well be called the waist rope of giving me 1/3 of 1 feat at 5 times the cost.At higher levels the cost isn't very much, and I learned it improved the AC of my wife's 15th level monk by +1, and her damage by +7.5 points per hit (which was huge since she could attack nine times in a full attack).
Tacomannerism 03-10-06, 01:00 PM	My only problem is that the Monk's Belt doesn't do diddly squat for a monk compared to the benefit it grants to non-monks. For a non-monk this belt might as well be called the belt of giving me a bunch of AC. For a monk this might as well be called the waist rope of giving me 1/3 of 1 feat at 5 times the cost. MTF I would argue that a Monk's Belt does the same if not more for a Monk than for a non-monk. Monks are already built to make full use of the Wisdom bonus to AC. Non-monks have to take off what might very well be better armor if they want to make use of this AC boost (which might end up being the opposite of a boost). It really gives about the same damage boost to both monks and non-monks.. monks are even more likely to be focused on their unarmed attacks already so it caters to them. A non-monk gives up quite a bit in order to benefit from half of what this belt does.