Are bracers of armor armor or bracers? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Are bracers of armor armor or bracers? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Animorphic
02-18-06, 12:47 PM exactly as title suggests.

The description says they're arm or wrist guards, but tangible armor too?

so both, one, or neither?
Someone
02-18-06, 12:52 PM Bracers of armor take up the bracers slot on the body (see "magic items on the body"). They provide an armor bonus to AC, just like physical armor that occupies the armor slot on the body. However, they don't actually occupy the armor slot.
ReverendCow
02-18-06, 01:25 PM So, wearing nonmagical bracers provide no mechanical benefit, correct? Only when enchanted as Bracers of Armor, do they provide Armor Bonus?
CryoSilver
02-18-06, 01:35 PM Indeed.
Wyrd Bearer
02-18-06, 01:38 PM Indeed, only the magical bracers of armour have any bonus towards your AC. A character simultaneously wearing both bracers of armour +2 and a chain shirt (+4 AC bonus) has an AC of 14 (discounting any Dex or Natural Armour for simplicity), as they overlap, they do not stack (same as mage armour not stacking with the chain shirt).

Now, suppose a wraith attacked the same character. The wraiths incorporeal attack passes through the chain shirt as if it were not there, but the bracers of armour +2 still apply against the incorporeal attack because the bracers produce a force effect.

The bracers have an advantage in that they don't weigh as much as physical armour (in fact a monk can wear them and still retain his Wis bonus to AC), and the bracers can go up to a +8 AC bonus, making them the equivalent of full plate without the weight or Dex penalties.

I do not know of any non-magical bracers that add an AC bonus, as they'd be more advantagous than shields (the bracers leave the hands free for casting or TWF, shields take up a hand), so any bracers that duplicate a physical shield's AC bonus should be more expensive and less effective than an similar shield.

*edit* Heck and spit! I was out-typed!
Anifer_Unglum
02-18-06, 10:36 PM The Dastana in the Arms & Equipment Guide can be worn with Padded, Leather, and Chain Shirt armor and add a stackable bonus to the AC. I belive they can still be used with a shield as well. I do not have the book with me, so I can not give you the exact description, but I can say that every Rogue in my group uses them.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Animorphic 02-18-06, 12:47 PM	exactly as title suggests. The description says they're arm or wrist guards, but tangible armor too? so both, one, or neither?
Someone 02-18-06, 12:52 PM	Bracers of armor take up the bracers slot on the body (see "magic items on the body"). They provide an armor bonus to AC, just like physical armor that occupies the armor slot on the body. However, they don't actually occupy the armor slot.
ReverendCow 02-18-06, 01:25 PM	So, wearing nonmagical bracers provide no mechanical benefit, correct? Only when enchanted as Bracers of Armor, do they provide Armor Bonus?
CryoSilver 02-18-06, 01:35 PM	Indeed.
Wyrd Bearer 02-18-06, 01:38 PM	Indeed, only the magical bracers of armour have any bonus towards your AC. A character simultaneously wearing both bracers of armour +2 and a chain shirt (+4 AC bonus) has an AC of 14 (discounting any Dex or Natural Armour for simplicity), as they overlap, they do not stack (same as mage armour not stacking with the chain shirt). Now, suppose a wraith attacked the same character. The wraiths incorporeal attack passes through the chain shirt as if it were not there, but the bracers of armour +2 still apply against the incorporeal attack because the bracers produce a force effect. The bracers have an advantage in that they don't weigh as much as physical armour (in fact a monk can wear them and still retain his Wis bonus to AC), and the bracers can go up to a +8 AC bonus, making them the equivalent of full plate without the weight or Dex penalties. I do not know of any non-magical bracers that add an AC bonus, as they'd be more advantagous than shields (the bracers leave the hands free for casting or TWF, shields take up a hand), so any bracers that duplicate a physical shield's AC bonus should be more expensive and less effective than an similar shield. edit Heck and spit! I was out-typed!
Anifer_Unglum 02-18-06, 10:36 PM	The Dastana in the Arms & Equipment Guide can be worn with Padded, Leather, and Chain Shirt armor and add a stackable bonus to the AC. I belive they can still be used with a shield as well. I do not have the book with me, so I can not give you the exact description, but I can say that every Rogue in my group uses them.