Order of Operations

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Tashiro

Nov 10, 2014 13:06:32

If a magic item says 'your attribute becomes X', and you have an item which gives +1 to an attribute, how do these combine?  I'm of the mind that the fixed value replaces any value+modifiers, so if you've got a magic item which gives you 20 Strength, and you have an item which gives you +1 Strength, you would have 20 Strength (presuming your Strength was 18 or less before putting on the magic items).

 

A friend says Item 1 would give you a 20 Strength, and item 2 would raise it to 21.

 

So, what do you think should happen?

#2

Kalani

Nov 10, 2014 14:01:00

The item which says "your ability becomes X" is absolute. It will overight all other calculations, and is a continuous effect.

 

It doesn't matter which order you do the operations, it results in the same effect as follows:

 

Scenario 1

  • Starting ability score Y
  • Item grants +1 to ability score. Result: Y+1
  • Item sets your ability score to X. Result: Y+1 becomes X

Scenario 2

  • Starting ability score Y
  • Item sets your ability score to X. Result: Y becomes X
  • Item grants +1 to ability score. Result: X+1
  • First item resets your ability score to X (its a continuous effect). Result: X+1 becomes X
#3

Tashiro

Nov 10, 2014 13:59:47

That's what I thought, thanks.

#4

Jay_Ibero_911

Nov 10, 2014 16:24:45 		This is one of many reasons there are no official items that give bonuses to stats, only those that set stats.
(Reply to #4)

Tashiro

Jay_Ibero_911 wrote:
(Reply to #2)

Coredump00

Kalani wrote:
#7

Youngy

Nov 10, 2014 21:49:27

The other one is that ability score increases gained whilst wearing one of those items just stack up underneath it. So if you have Str 16 and Gauntlets of Ogre Strength, your Str becomes 19. Then, if you spend an ability score increase improving your Strength, your character has a Str of 18, but Str becomes 19 due to the item. Its only after the second ability score increase spent on Strength that your character reaches Str 20.

#8

Sutekh1

Nov 11, 2014 17:58:34

Magic items will allow stats to go over 20, and items that set a stat number don't work if you are already higher. As to the original question, I agree that if a +1 stat item existed, it would modify your natural stat, and not affect an item such as the Belt of Hill Giant Strength.

 

Belt of Hill Giant Strength
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
While wearing this belt, your Strength changes to 21. If
your Strength is already equal to or greater than 21, the
item has no effect on you.

#9

Jay_Ibero_911

Nov 11, 2014 18:16:30

Sutekh1 wrote:
#10

Timborama

Nov 12, 2014 5:45:35

Think of it like Barkskin (which SETS your AC to 16 if it otherwise would be lower). With one of those items* if your ability score is 19 or lower, it BECOMES 19. When you get +whatever it refers to your lower score, and then, again, you check to see if it's 19 or lower after said increase and then it becomes 19 again.

 

Your natural strength is 18, but those ogre gauntlets make them 19. You get an ABI for leveling up and decide to add +2 to Strength. This makes your Strength 20. NOT 21.

 

Similarly: Your natural strength is 16, but those ogre gauntlets make them 19. You get an ABI for leveling up and decide to add +2 to Strength. This makes your Strength 18 which then is treated as 19 due to the gauntlets. NOT 21.

 

 

*This is for those items like Headband of Intellect and the like that set it to 19. There are others that set it higher, and likely ones that will set it lower!