armor stacking question [Archive] - Wizards Community

armor stacking question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Seifalmasy
05-08-07, 06:01 PM So I understand that if I wore padded armor and Bracers of Armor +4, I'd have a +4 armor bonus to my AC (no stacking). But if I then upgraded to +2 padded armor, what happens?

My initial understanding was that I'd have a +2 enchantment bonus, a +1 armor bonus, and a +4 armor bonus, and end up with a total +6 to my AC. But I'm wondering if maybe the enchantment bonus is to be read as an "enchantment to the armor bonus," meaning I'd have a +3 armor bonus overlapping with a +4 armor bonus, and only end up with +4.

This came up in my game with a highly dexterous (+6 mod) character who just traded in his mithral chain shirt for said bracers of armor, and then found enchanted padded armor lying around.
Seifalmasy
05-08-07, 06:05 PM Substitute "enhancement" for "enchantment" in all of the above.
Loki5654
05-08-07, 06:08 PM So I understand that if I wore padded armor and Bracers of Armor +4, I'd have a +4 armor bonus to my AC (no stacking). But if I then upgraded to +2 padded armor, what happens?

My initial understanding was that I'd have a +2 enchantment bonus, a +1 armor bonus, and a +4 armor bonus, and end up with a total +6 to my AC. But I'm wondering if maybe the enchantment bonus is to be read as an "enchantment to the armor bonus," meaning I'd have a +3 armor bonus overlapping with a +4 armor bonus, and only end up with +4.

This came up in my game with a highly dexterous (+6 mod) character who just traded in his mithral chain shirt for said bracers of armor, and then found enchanted padded armor lying around.
The highlighted portion is correct.
Xavorin
05-08-07, 07:30 PM Wait... I always thought that you stacked Bracers of Armor bonuses and Armor bonuses...

In fact, I seem to remember that in the description of Bracers of Armor that the bracers project an invisible force field around the wearer... So that you added it to "miscilaneous modifier" in the AC part of your character sheet.

Maybe it's something like Ring of Protection that I'm thinking of.
kalstrand
05-08-07, 10:14 PM Bracers of Armor give an armor bonus so they don't stack with any other armor bonus.
Nephlite
05-08-07, 10:56 PM Wait... I always thought that you stacked Bracers of Armor bonuses and Armor bonuses...

In fact, I seem to remember that in the description of Bracers of Armor that the bracers project an invisible force field around the wearer... So that you added it to "miscilaneous modifier" in the AC part of your character sheet.

Maybe it's something like Ring of Protection that I'm thinking of.

Rings of P are deflection not armor.

It states in the PHB that armors bonuses don't stack: they overlap. So +3 Padded and Bracers +4 are the same in AC.
Xavorin
05-09-07, 03:12 PM Rings of P are deflection not armor.

It states in the PHB that armors bonuses don't stack: they overlap. So +3 Padded and Bracers +4 are the same in AC.

Oh, I see. Thanks! That cleared an old problem up for me.
feraltibbit
05-09-07, 03:49 PM From what I understand,from inner to outer:

ARMOR and SHIELDS:
Clothing-Types stack w/vest-types w/armor-types (including helmets and inner or outer mods) w/robe-types w/shield-, cloak-, or cape-types. Capes and cloaks are considered shield bonuses.

Deflection- and Miscellaneous-Types come from either class/prestige class abilities or magical items. These stack with AC, but as a separate type.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Seifalmasy 05-08-07, 06:01 PM	So I understand that if I wore padded armor and Bracers of Armor +4, I'd have a +4 armor bonus to my AC (no stacking). But if I then upgraded to +2 padded armor, what happens? My initial understanding was that I'd have a +2 enchantment bonus, a +1 armor bonus, and a +4 armor bonus, and end up with a total +6 to my AC. But I'm wondering if maybe the enchantment bonus is to be read as an "enchantment to the armor bonus," meaning I'd have a +3 armor bonus overlapping with a +4 armor bonus, and only end up with +4. This came up in my game with a highly dexterous (+6 mod) character who just traded in his mithral chain shirt for said bracers of armor, and then found enchanted padded armor lying around.
Seifalmasy 05-08-07, 06:05 PM	Substitute "enhancement" for "enchantment" in all of the above.
Loki5654 05-08-07, 06:08 PM	So I understand that if I wore padded armor and Bracers of Armor +4, I'd have a +4 armor bonus to my AC (no stacking). But if I then upgraded to +2 padded armor, what happens? My initial understanding was that I'd have a +2 enchantment bonus, a +1 armor bonus, and a +4 armor bonus, and end up with a total +6 to my AC. But I'm wondering if maybe the enchantment bonus is to be read as an "enchantment to the armor bonus," meaning I'd have a +3 armor bonus overlapping with a +4 armor bonus, and only end up with +4. This came up in my game with a highly dexterous (+6 mod) character who just traded in his mithral chain shirt for said bracers of armor, and then found enchanted padded armor lying around. The highlighted portion is correct.
Xavorin 05-08-07, 07:30 PM	Wait... I always thought that you stacked Bracers of Armor bonuses and Armor bonuses... In fact, I seem to remember that in the description of Bracers of Armor that the bracers project an invisible force field around the wearer... So that you added it to "miscilaneous modifier" in the AC part of your character sheet. Maybe it's something like Ring of Protection that I'm thinking of.
kalstrand 05-08-07, 10:14 PM	Bracers of Armor give an armor bonus so they don't stack with any other armor bonus.
Nephlite 05-08-07, 10:56 PM	Wait... I always thought that you stacked Bracers of Armor bonuses and Armor bonuses... In fact, I seem to remember that in the description of Bracers of Armor that the bracers project an invisible force field around the wearer... So that you added it to "miscilaneous modifier" in the AC part of your character sheet. Maybe it's something like Ring of Protection that I'm thinking of. Rings of P are deflection not armor. It states in the PHB that armors bonuses don't stack: they overlap. So +3 Padded and Bracers +4 are the same in AC.
Xavorin 05-09-07, 03:12 PM	Rings of P are deflection not armor. It states in the PHB that armors bonuses don't stack: they overlap. So +3 Padded and Bracers +4 are the same in AC. Oh, I see. Thanks! That cleared an old problem up for me.
feraltibbit 05-09-07, 03:49 PM	From what I understand,from inner to outer: ARMOR and SHIELDS: Clothing-Types stack w/vest-types w/armor-types (including helmets and inner or outer mods) w/robe-types w/shield-, cloak-, or cape-types. Capes and cloaks are considered shield bonuses. Deflection- and Miscellaneous-Types come from either class/prestige class abilities or magical items. These stack with AC, but as a separate type.