Does a shield work with Bracers of Armor?

[Adjudicator]

Does the AC bonus gained from using a shield of buckler stack with the armor bonus granted from Bracers of Armor?

example: A rogue wearing Bracers of Armor 3 and a 1 Buckler. Is his AC 13, they do not stack (the Bracers provide the highest protection so they override the shield), or is it AC 15, they do stack ( 3 from Bracers plus 2 from Buckler).

Bracers of Armor replace having to wear conventional armor, but at a higher cost, ranging from AC 1 (equivalent of padded armor) to AC 8 (equivalent of full plate) without incurring extra weight or check penalties, but again at a much higher cost.

IMO, they should stack, seeing as Bracers of Armor max protection ends at AC 8, where as 5 Full Plate provides AC 13 (coupled with a 5 large shield AC 20).

You can use a shield while wearing other types of bracers.

Would love response to this, not looking to bend or break the rules, just a little clarification as to the use of bracers.

I apologize if this topic has already been covered, did look through the posts and if it was listed I missed it.

 

[Orco42]

I am pretty sure they do not stack since they are both armour bonuses.

There armour and shields only stack because it specifically says they stack.

 

[Marimmar]

Bracers of armor provides you with a protective force field that acts like worn armor. Thus the shield bonus stacks with the bracers.

BTW wearing bracers of armor sacrifices the free slot for bracers of health which is bad IMO.

~Marimmar

 

[BryonD]

Bracers of armor provides you with a protective force field that acts like worn armor. Thus the shield bonus stacks with the bracers.

BTW wearing bracers of armor sacrifices the free slot for bracers of health which is bad IMO.

~Marimmar

Sorry, but that is not correct. Bracers and shields both provide an armor bonus and they do not stack. The stacking on armor bonuses from armor and shields (including and enhancements) is a specific exception.

 

[Akunin]

From the SRD:

AC modifiers of the same type do not stack, except:
· Armor bonuses from armor and shields
· Enhancement bonuses from armor and shields
· Dodge bonuses
· Circumstance bonuses

The Bracers of Armor create a force field that acts like armor, but is not armor for the purpose of stacking with a shield.

 

[Adjudicator]

Does a shield work with bracers of armor?

p. 104 of the PHB states "ARMOR BONUS: The protective value of the armor. Bonuses from armor and a shield stack. This bonus is an armor bonus, so it does not stack with other effects that increase your armor bonuses, such as mage armor spell or bracers of armor."

I therefore will not allow the use of Bracers couples with shields in my campaign.

The argument that could have been made was, "Was this written to preclude the usage of ARMOR and BRACERS", the way I interpreted it, or "ALL armor, shields included, and bracers"? Have left postings on Monte's, EN's, and Wizard's boards and so far have received about a 50%/50% mix as to rulings.

Until a more conclusive argument can be made or a ruling from a higher power such as Monte himself shields and bracers won't mix.

 

[dcollins]

No. This has been repeatedly confirmed via (a) PH p. 104, (b) Sage Advice in Dragon #284, and (c) the Official D&D FAQ, p. 20.

For more on stacking issues you may wish to consider the following FAQ page (Example #3 basically deals with your current question) -- www.superdan.net/dndfaq1.html

 

[graydoom]

This has been discussed and settled before. The armor bonus from Bracers of Armor does not stack with the armor bonus from a Shield.

 

[Grendel]

However a tower shield (which provides a cover bonus, not an armor bonus) does stack with bracers of armor.

 

[Chris Nagle]

Mage Armor Spell says it stacks

From SRD

Mage Armor

Conjuration (Creation) [Force]
Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Creature touched
Duration: 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

An invisible but tangible field of force surrounds the subject of mage armor, providing a +4 armor bonus to AC. Unlike mundane armor, mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Since mage armor is made of force, incorporeal creatures can’t bypass it the way they do normal armor.

So in the spell description it advises that Unlike mundane armor, mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. there Mage Armor spell is the same as armor except no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction.

This means you treat Mage Armor as phsyical armor and it stacks with a shield.