Armor Types [Archive] - Wizards Community

Armor Types [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Candin
04-12-07, 01:57 PM From what I've gathered multiple items granting bonuses of similar types of armor (deflection, magical, natural, etc.) don't stack. So I'm trying to figure out what goes where.

I recently bought a ring of mage armor to get a permanent +4 bonus to my AC. Now, apparently this negates any properties bracers of armor +1 confers. I thought the bracers gave an armor bonus, but that's what I've been told. So do the two items stack, or are the bracers worthless?

I also have inertial armor as a psionic ability. If I use it in combat will I still receieve the +4 temporary AC, or is that negated by the ring as well?
jadehawk
04-12-07, 02:06 PM I think if you looked at each of the item/spell/manifestation descriptions you would notice they all grant an armour bonus, even though neither of them are actually armour. So no they won't stack. But there is still a point in having alternatives at least as standbys, not only in case 1 runs out. In an antimagic field your mage armour and bracers of armour wouldn't work, but your inertial armour would work (unless you guys play that psionics and magic are the same thing...urgh)...The same is true vice-versa for anything that negates or suppresses psionic effects.

Also, note that (as with everything) there are exceptions to the rule, but not with armour bonus as far as I know. I speak about everyone's friend, the dodge bonus, which against all odds stacks all the time. And there are also other bonuses that kind of stack, like some natural armour bonuses (as in some descriptions indicate that they don't necessarily provide a natural armour bonus as much as they enhance an already existant natural armour bonus).
Candin
04-12-07, 02:09 PM Thanks. I was hoping they would stack, but I won't lose sleep over it.

I still like the ring. It saves me some psionic points and time in the beginning of combat.
TienFong
04-12-07, 02:13 PM Bracer of armor +1AC
Inertial armor +4AC, +1/2pp
Mage armor +4AC
Ring of Protection +1-5AC

Ring of mage armor? or ring of Protection?

THe bracers, Inertial Armor, Mage armor would all overlap, in which the highest would you gain benefit from. Now if it was a Ring of protection, that would stack because it confers a deflection bonus rather then an armor bonus.
StevenO
04-12-07, 03:09 PM I don't know how you aquired the Ring or Mage Armor but it should be valued at 16,000 GP for providing a +4 Armor bonus which is as much as Bracers of Armor +4 would cost.

For a Ring of Mage Armor you do NOT use the spell effect guideline for pricing magic items which may indicate the dirt cheap price of 2000 gp for an item that provides +4 AC. Instead you use the Effect estimation which for AC bonus to armor is bonus squared x 1000gp.

As for the question: Mage Armor, Bracers of Armor, and actual armor all provide an Armor bonus to AC and do not stack. They do overlap which can be important if you start dealing with incorporeal attacks which usually ignore actual armor but not the armor force provided by Mage Armor or Bracers.
Kouk
04-13-07, 02:32 AM Thanks. I was hoping they would stack, but I won't lose sleep over it.

I still like the ring. It saves me some psionic points and time in the beginning of combat.

Regardless of how you got that item, your hands slot is now free to use gloves of dexterity, which will increase your (not flat footed) armor class and will stack with those other things. Unless psionic armor gives an enhancement bonus to dex, I don't really know psionics that well.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Candin 04-12-07, 01:57 PM	From what I've gathered multiple items granting bonuses of similar types of armor (deflection, magical, natural, etc.) don't stack. So I'm trying to figure out what goes where. I recently bought a ring of mage armor to get a permanent +4 bonus to my AC. Now, apparently this negates any properties bracers of armor +1 confers. I thought the bracers gave an armor bonus, but that's what I've been told. So do the two items stack, or are the bracers worthless? I also have inertial armor as a psionic ability. If I use it in combat will I still receieve the +4 temporary AC, or is that negated by the ring as well?
jadehawk 04-12-07, 02:06 PM	I think if you looked at each of the item/spell/manifestation descriptions you would notice they all grant an armour bonus, even though neither of them are actually armour. So no they won't stack. But there is still a point in having alternatives at least as standbys, not only in case 1 runs out. In an antimagic field your mage armour and bracers of armour wouldn't work, but your inertial armour would work (unless you guys play that psionics and magic are the same thing...urgh)...The same is true vice-versa for anything that negates or suppresses psionic effects. Also, note that (as with everything) there are exceptions to the rule, but not with armour bonus as far as I know. I speak about everyone's friend, the dodge bonus, which against all odds stacks all the time. And there are also other bonuses that kind of stack, like some natural armour bonuses (as in some descriptions indicate that they don't necessarily provide a natural armour bonus as much as they enhance an already existant natural armour bonus).
Candin 04-12-07, 02:09 PM	Thanks. I was hoping they would stack, but I won't lose sleep over it. I still like the ring. It saves me some psionic points and time in the beginning of combat.
TienFong 04-12-07, 02:13 PM	Bracer of armor +1AC Inertial armor +4AC, +1/2pp Mage armor +4AC Ring of Protection +1-5AC Ring of mage armor? or ring of Protection? THe bracers, Inertial Armor, Mage armor would all overlap, in which the highest would you gain benefit from. Now if it was a Ring of protection, that would stack because it confers a deflection bonus rather then an armor bonus.
StevenO 04-12-07, 03:09 PM	I don't know how you aquired the Ring or Mage Armor but it should be valued at 16,000 GP for providing a +4 Armor bonus which is as much as Bracers of Armor +4 would cost. For a Ring of Mage Armor you do NOT use the spell effect guideline for pricing magic items which may indicate the dirt cheap price of 2000 gp for an item that provides +4 AC. Instead you use the Effect estimation which for AC bonus to armor is bonus squared x 1000gp. As for the question: Mage Armor, Bracers of Armor, and actual armor all provide an Armor bonus to AC and do not stack. They do overlap which can be important if you start dealing with incorporeal attacks which usually ignore actual armor but not the armor force provided by Mage Armor or Bracers.
Kouk 04-13-07, 02:32 AM	Thanks. I was hoping they would stack, but I won't lose sleep over it. I still like the ring. It saves me some psionic points and time in the beginning of combat. Regardless of how you got that item, your hands slot is now free to use gloves of dexterity, which will increase your (not flat footed) armor class and will stack with those other things. Unless psionic armor gives an enhancement bonus to dex, I don't really know psionics that well.