Does a set of bracers of armour +2, stack with chainmail armour +2? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Does a set of bracers of armour +2, stack with chainmail armour +2? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
id0
02-20-06, 11:32 PM This is a pretty simple question, but when an experienced group of people claim they are right and you are wrong, I would appreciate an answer from an outside party.

thanks
Callista
02-20-06, 11:37 PM Nope. Both armor bonuses. Same type doesn't stack.
Vacerious
02-20-06, 11:41 PM Nope. Both armor bonuses. Same type doesn't stack.
Dang! You beat me to the post! :P
No, id0, Bracers of Armor and any other type of Armor Bonus don't stack. Don't bother wasting your gold on both.

EDIT: Just read the rest of the OP. id0, your evidence lies in the information on the bottom of the Bracers of Armor description, where it tells all of the stuff necessary to create it. If you look, you'll find the words mage armor . If you look up the spell description, it'll say that mage armor doesn't stack with other types of armor bonuses. Hence, it can be deduced that, because the component spell for the item doesn't stack armor bonuses, neither does the item itself.

Either that, or they can actually read the description. :P
Rhomphaia
02-20-06, 11:41 PM No they do not. Both provide an armor bonus to AC and bonuses of the same type (other than unnamed and Dodge bonuses) do not stack, they overlap (and you use the higher one). In your case, the +2 chainmail is the higher armor bonus of the two.

For quick reference, here is a list of common protective items that give AC bonuses and the types of AC bonuses they give.

Armor Bonus:
Magic armor, bracers of armor.

Deflection Bonus:
Ring of protection, certain ioun stones.

Natural Armor Bonus:
Amulet of natural armor.

Shield Bonus:
Magic shields, ring of force shield.

Hope this helps.
Archmage_Vall
02-20-06, 11:47 PM So bracers of armor are only really very useful to arcane spellcasters and monks. For arcane casters, they're only useful if they're +5 or higher, because they could get the same or better benefit with Mage Armor instead.
Darkuwa
02-21-06, 12:22 AM They're also very usefule too rogues. They don't have ACP's so as long as their bracers of +4 they're better.
Kheldren
02-21-06, 03:26 AM Actually if you don't have a ready market for magic, and don't have a bracer slot item they are useful to the armoured tanks!
Next time you run into an incorporeal opponent that small bit of armour might just save your life!
Kerri_Evanwood
02-21-06, 03:38 AM Bracers of Armor are also useful for higher-level characters with dexterity bonuses of greater than +8, as no armor type that I can think of has a maximum dexterity bonus to AC of greater than +8 (padded armor). Also, the lack of an ACP is useful (although masterwork studded leather is just the same).
CaoSlayer
02-21-06, 08:06 AM They're also very usefule too rogues. They don't have ACP's so as long as their bracers of +4 they're better.

but it is damn cheaper to buy a mithril chain shirt.
AaronR
02-21-06, 09:27 PM They're good for any armor wearing class, wear them as well as your armor so that when you get ambushed at night you don't have to worry about doning your armor. You still have somewhat of an AC bonus during combat.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
id0 02-20-06, 11:32 PM	This is a pretty simple question, but when an experienced group of people claim they are right and you are wrong, I would appreciate an answer from an outside party. thanks
Callista 02-20-06, 11:37 PM	Nope. Both armor bonuses. Same type doesn't stack.
Vacerious 02-20-06, 11:41 PM	Nope. Both armor bonuses. Same type doesn't stack. Dang! You beat me to the post! :P No, id0, Bracers of Armor and any other type of Armor Bonus don't stack. Don't bother wasting your gold on both. EDIT: Just read the rest of the OP. id0, your evidence lies in the information on the bottom of the Bracers of Armor description, where it tells all of the stuff necessary to create it. If you look, you'll find the words mage armor . If you look up the spell description, it'll say that mage armor doesn't stack with other types of armor bonuses. Hence, it can be deduced that, because the component spell for the item doesn't stack armor bonuses, neither does the item itself. Either that, or they can actually read the description. :P
Rhomphaia 02-20-06, 11:41 PM	No they do not. Both provide an armor bonus to AC and bonuses of the same type (other than unnamed and Dodge bonuses) do not stack, they overlap (and you use the higher one). In your case, the +2 chainmail is the higher armor bonus of the two. For quick reference, here is a list of common protective items that give AC bonuses and the types of AC bonuses they give. Armor Bonus: Magic armor, bracers of armor. Deflection Bonus: Ring of protection, certain ioun stones. Natural Armor Bonus: Amulet of natural armor. Shield Bonus: Magic shields, ring of force shield. Hope this helps.
Archmage_Vall 02-20-06, 11:47 PM	So bracers of armor are only really very useful to arcane spellcasters and monks. For arcane casters, they're only useful if they're +5 or higher, because they could get the same or better benefit with Mage Armor instead.
Darkuwa 02-21-06, 12:22 AM	They're also very usefule too rogues. They don't have ACP's so as long as their bracers of +4 they're better.
Kheldren 02-21-06, 03:26 AM	Actually if you don't have a ready market for magic, and don't have a bracer slot item they are useful to the armoured tanks! Next time you run into an incorporeal opponent that small bit of armour might just save your life!
Kerri_Evanwood 02-21-06, 03:38 AM	Bracers of Armor are also useful for higher-level characters with dexterity bonuses of greater than +8, as no armor type that I can think of has a maximum dexterity bonus to AC of greater than +8 (padded armor). Also, the lack of an ACP is useful (although masterwork studded leather is just the same).
CaoSlayer 02-21-06, 08:06 AM	They're also very usefule too rogues. They don't have ACP's so as long as their bracers of +4 they're better. but it is damn cheaper to buy a mithril chain shirt.
AaronR 02-21-06, 09:27 PM	They're good for any armor wearing class, wear them as well as your armor so that when you get ambushed at night you don't have to worry about doning your armor. You still have somewhat of an AC bonus during combat.