Stacking AC Bonuses

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Thank_Dog

Aug 20, 2014 22:42:13

I can't seem to find any rule on this in the PHB.

 

Say I've got a Staff of Defence. I cast Mage Armour on myself. That gives me a base AC of 13 + Dexterity + the Staff of Defence bonus of +1, right? Then say I cast a Shield spell. Does the +5 from that stack with everything?

#2

vodokar

Aug 20, 2014 23:17:28

yes

#3

shivafang

Aug 20, 2014 23:32:54

And if you also have bracers of defense (+3 to AC when not wearing armour), your total AC would be 13 + Dexterity + 9.

#4

Thank_Dog

Aug 20, 2014 23:36:53

Damn. Maybe my sorcerer should start tanking.

#5

shivafang

Aug 20, 2014 23:47:45

Thank_Dog wrote:
#6

JRutterbush

Aug 21, 2014 0:56:09

shivafang wrote:
#7

Thank_Dog

Aug 21, 2014 1:21:31

Eh, I'm not sure about that magic item thing. The magical items found in Hoard and Lost Mines are pretty powerful. Staff of Defense is... overpowered for such a low level. It gives a class with Shield and Mage Armour on their spell list an effective +9 to AC with virtually no downside (the limit of 9 charges per day isn't very much of a limit). My sorcerer went from 13 AC to 22 AC with one item.

#8

Dooflegna

Aug 21, 2014 3:46:37

Thank_Dog wrote:
#9

Thank_Dog

Aug 21, 2014 3:50:24

Dooflegna wrote:
#10

Sorxores

Aug 21, 2014 4:54:57

Dooflegna wrote:
#11

shivafang

Aug 21, 2014 8:22:44

Sorxores wrote:
(Reply to #11)

Garuun

I get a feeling that AC enchantments on armor are going to be in much smaller increments. I wouldn't be surprised if a +2 or +3 armor is equivalent to +5 rarity in past editions. Furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised if the defensive weapon enchantment is ditched altogether.

 

Who knows, enhancement bonuses might cease to grant addtional AC and attack bonuses, instead just increasing durability and giving equipment the magical property.

#13

reddaemon

Aug 21, 2014 10:29:49

shivafang wrote:
(Reply to #12)

Guest703856308

Garuun wrote:
#15

Kalani

Aug 21, 2014 11:16:14

Guest703856308 wrote:
#16

shivafang

Aug 21, 2014 11:27:16

reddaemon wrote:
#17

LordValas

Sep 05, 2014 16:19:21

Could my monk take the feat Magic Initiate (wizard) to meet the pre-req to use the armor and shield spells from the staff of defense?

#18

Kalani

Sep 05, 2014 20:31:25

shivafang wrote:
#19

E-Tallitnics

Sep 06, 2014 8:33:47

LordValas wrote:
#20

LordValas

Sep 06, 2014 9:13:46

E-Tallitnics wrote:
#21

Captnq

Sep 07, 2014 6:11:41

Uhhh... attunement isn't for EVERY magic item, only some.

 

For example, only 5 weapons require attunement.

Both staffs, but only one wand.

5 out of 8 rings

No scrolls

And only the rod of lordly might is listed as requiring attunement for wondrous items.

 

Frankly, the 3 magic item limitation well... isn't.