Stacking Bonuses [Archive] - Wizards Community

Stacking Bonuses [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RappinRabbi
03-05-07, 01:46 PM Im just trying to make sure I understand the RAW. Bonuses of the same TYPE do no stack when they apply to the same thing; cloak of +2 Charisma does not stack with Eagles Splendor. So my question is, if a bonus is given without a type, like skill focus or something similiar, does it stack with other bonuses that give the same thing and are also not specified?

In other words do two non-typed bonuses that provide the same benefit stack? Are there exceptions? Does this apply to everything (feats, spells, items)? Is there anywhere I can go aside from the core books to clear this up better? Eratta? Other sites? Anything?

Help much appreciated...
Pyke_Moonshadow
03-05-07, 01:47 PM Last I knew all unnamed bonuses stacked.
Merestil Haye
03-05-07, 02:50 PM All unnamed bonuses stack with each other, unless they come from the same source.

"From the same source" means from two sources of the same type that have the same name. So two castings of the same spell that provide an unnamed bonus don't stack. An example is the Warlock invocation Beguiling Influence, which gives an untyped +6 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy and another skill. Cast that every 6 seconds for an hour then go and charm the socks off the world - at first level.

Another would be the Melee Weapon Mastery feat taken for two different types of damage. A weapon that deals both types does not gain the benefit of both feats, because they have the same name.

I believe both these examples are discussed in the FAQ somewhere.
jadehawk
03-05-07, 04:42 PM btw, some named bonuses stack sometimes too. The most prevalent example of this is the dodge bonus which always stacks even though the bonuses come from different sources under the same name. Some natural armour bonuses stack (improve existing natural armours like the MM feat).

But yes, for the most part named bonuses do not stack with each other and unnamed bonuses from different sources stack with themselves and with named bonuses.
WinterPsionic
03-05-07, 06:07 PM An example is the Warlock invocation Beguiling Influence, which gives an untyped +6 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy and another skill. Cast that every 6 seconds for an hour then go and charm the socks off the world - at first level.

The rule of thumb for Warlocks is nothing stacks, you just stretch it out. Like puttin a cinder block on silly putty.
Oliver D'Argent
03-06-07, 02:06 PM The rule of thumb for Warlocks is nothing stacks, you just stretch it out. Like puttin a cinder block on silly putty.

I'm pretty sure that Merestil was giving an example of how broken it would be if you could stack unnamed bonuses from the same source. . .
Merestil Haye
03-06-07, 02:13 PM I'm pretty sure that Merestil was giving an example of how broken it would be if you could stack unnamed bonuses from the same source. . .That was my intention, yes. Sorry if I confused anyone.

If it were possible, and assuming 4 ranks and a 16 Cha, a 1st level Warlock could have +3,607 Diplomacy modifier after one hour, then go out to win friends and influence people.

So it's a good thing the rules stop it dead.
ShinAkuma2
03-06-07, 03:49 PM If it were possible, and assuming 4 ranks and a 16 Cha, a 1st level Warlock could have +3,607 Diplomacy modifier after one hour, then go out to win friends and influence people.

He'd be like, "Hey."

And the masses wuld run to him, screaming their praises.
Nom
03-06-07, 09:36 PM btw, some named bonuses stack sometimes too. The most prevalent example of this is the dodge bonus which always stacks even though the bonuses come from different sources under the same name.I'm not entirely sure what you're saying, but I don't think it's correct. If you have two haste spells on, you only get one dodge bonus to AC or Ref saves.

Dodge bonuses stack with other dodge bonuses, but AFAIK the "same source" rule trumps everything else as far as bonuses and penalties go, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RappinRabbi 03-05-07, 01:46 PM	Im just trying to make sure I understand the RAW. Bonuses of the same TYPE do no stack when they apply to the same thing; cloak of +2 Charisma does not stack with Eagles Splendor. So my question is, if a bonus is given without a type, like skill focus or something similiar, does it stack with other bonuses that give the same thing and are also not specified? In other words do two non-typed bonuses that provide the same benefit stack? Are there exceptions? Does this apply to everything (feats, spells, items)? Is there anywhere I can go aside from the core books to clear this up better? Eratta? Other sites? Anything? Help much appreciated...
Pyke_Moonshadow 03-05-07, 01:47 PM	Last I knew all unnamed bonuses stacked.
Merestil Haye 03-05-07, 02:50 PM	All unnamed bonuses stack with each other, unless they come from the same source. "From the same source" means from two sources of the same type that have the same name. So two castings of the same spell that provide an unnamed bonus don't stack. An example is the Warlock invocation Beguiling Influence, which gives an untyped +6 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy and another skill. Cast that every 6 seconds for an hour then go and charm the socks off the world - at first level. Another would be the Melee Weapon Mastery feat taken for two different types of damage. A weapon that deals both types does not gain the benefit of both feats, because they have the same name. I believe both these examples are discussed in the FAQ somewhere.
jadehawk 03-05-07, 04:42 PM	btw, some named bonuses stack sometimes too. The most prevalent example of this is the dodge bonus which always stacks even though the bonuses come from different sources under the same name. Some natural armour bonuses stack (improve existing natural armours like the MM feat). But yes, for the most part named bonuses do not stack with each other and unnamed bonuses from different sources stack with themselves and with named bonuses.
WinterPsionic 03-05-07, 06:07 PM	An example is the Warlock invocation Beguiling Influence, which gives an untyped +6 bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy and another skill. Cast that every 6 seconds for an hour then go and charm the socks off the world - at first level. The rule of thumb for Warlocks is nothing stacks, you just stretch it out. Like puttin a cinder block on silly putty.
Oliver D'Argent 03-06-07, 02:06 PM	The rule of thumb for Warlocks is nothing stacks, you just stretch it out. Like puttin a cinder block on silly putty. I'm pretty sure that Merestil was giving an example of how broken it would be if you could stack unnamed bonuses from the same source. . .
Merestil Haye 03-06-07, 02:13 PM	I'm pretty sure that Merestil was giving an example of how broken it would be if you could stack unnamed bonuses from the same source. . .That was my intention, yes. Sorry if I confused anyone. If it were possible, and assuming 4 ranks and a 16 Cha, a 1st level Warlock could have +3,607 Diplomacy modifier after one hour, then go out to win friends and influence people. So it's a good thing the rules stop it dead.
ShinAkuma2 03-06-07, 03:49 PM	If it were possible, and assuming 4 ranks and a 16 Cha, a 1st level Warlock could have +3,607 Diplomacy modifier after one hour, then go out to win friends and influence people. He'd be like, "Hey." And the masses wuld run to him, screaming their praises.
Nom 03-06-07, 09:36 PM	btw, some named bonuses stack sometimes too. The most prevalent example of this is the dodge bonus which always stacks even though the bonuses come from different sources under the same name.I'm not entirely sure what you're saying, but I don't think it's correct. If you have two haste spells on, you only get one dodge bonus to AC or Ref saves. Dodge bonuses stack with other dodge bonuses, but AFAIK the "same source" rule trumps everything else as far as bonuses and penalties go, unless explicitly stated otherwise.