Please explain the limitations of stacking bonuses (so I can pass it along to a friend offline). I thought I was doing OK upto the point where I had to explain the difference between an inherent bonus and a plain ol' unspecified bonus. Is there an upper bound for plain ol' unspecified bonuses? And is an inherent bonus usually permanent?
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Bonus types explanation needed
- Thread starter BVB
- Start date
BVB said:
Primary rule: Bonuses of the same type don't stack.
Exceptions: Dodge bonuses do stack. Circumstance bonuses from different circumstances stack (e.g. the +2 circumstance bonus you get for flanking someone and the +1 circumstance bonus you get for higher ground). In D&D 3.0, armor bonuses from physical armor and shields stack (in 3.5, they made shields give shield bonuses instead).
Inherent bonuses don't stack. That's why you need to cast several wishes in quick succession in order to get an inherent bonus of more than +1. They are usually permanent - the two main sources are Wishes/Miracles and Tomes/Manuals (which use Wishes or Miracles in their construction).
Unspecified bonuses are just that, unspecified (or rather, unnamed). They stack with pretty much anything, including other unnamed bonuses. The exception is unnamed bonuses that are pretty much the same bonus - for example, I would not let the Barbarian Rage bonuses stack with those of the spell Rage (from Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil), because they are both granted by rage.
OK. Thanks.
The majority of that makes sense (and jives with what I consumed from the rule books).
I guess I just had a problem with "inherent," which the dictionary describes as intrinsic, permanently existing within something, or an essential characteristic. ... I sort of imagine that kind of bonus as soaking into the object or changing its core nature -- which, in turn, would make additional "inherent" bonuses stackable. ... A permanent unspecified bonus would be, in my thinking, an inherent bonus.
A case where one's own lexicon got in the way of understanding.
(It's also a pain to keep track of multiple bonus sources from various sources on one little character sheet.)
The majority of that makes sense (and jives with what I consumed from the rule books).
I guess I just had a problem with "inherent," which the dictionary describes as intrinsic, permanently existing within something, or an essential characteristic. ... I sort of imagine that kind of bonus as soaking into the object or changing its core nature -- which, in turn, would make additional "inherent" bonuses stackable. ... A permanent unspecified bonus would be, in my thinking, an inherent bonus.
A case where one's own lexicon got in the way of understanding.
(It's also a pain to keep track of multiple bonus sources from various sources on one little character sheet.)
Skinwalker
First Post
Potential Can of Worms
I'm hoping this turns out to be a stupid question, but considering how bow + arrow enhancement got nerfed in 3.5...
In 3.5, do the Enhancement bonuses from armor and shield still stack?
Staffan said:
I'm hoping this turns out to be a stupid question, but considering how bow + arrow enhancement got nerfed in 3.5...
In 3.5, do the Enhancement bonuses from armor and shield still stack?
Particle_Man
Explorer
Yes, the armour bonus is now separate from the shield bonus (shields do not provide an armour bonus anymore). And the respective enhancement bonuses now apply to different things (magic to armour bonus for the armour, magic to shield bonus for the shield).
So what was an exception has now been rewritten to become the rule, but it will not have a practical difference on your campaign. (Except perhaps with respect to certain spells that now specifically provide a shield bonus or an armour bonus).
Me, I am waiting for the helmet bonus.
So what was an exception has now been rewritten to become the rule, but it will not have a practical difference on your campaign. (Except perhaps with respect to certain spells that now specifically provide a shield bonus or an armour bonus).
Me, I am waiting for the helmet bonus.
Skinwalker
First Post
Particle_Man said:Me, I am waiting for the helmet bonus.
First of all, thanks for clearing up my question. New rule, same effect. (wipes bead of sweat off forehead in relief)
Second, check out the Destana in the Arms and Equipment Guide. They pretty much *did* start a third category of armor bonus there. Its not a helmet, but it kinda opens that door.
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