Cloak of Mage Armor

[Elethiomel]

I don't buy the "bracers of armor are too expensive" argument. They allow unarmored characters to have an armor bonus. That is pretty huge right there. And unlike actual armor, it doesn't have a max dex modifier. I love dextrous characters, and I have made a few that are better off with bracers of armor than with any other armor.

 

[Slaved]

Mage Armor is a cheap and easy Spell. Getting above the Maximum Dexterity Limit for Light Armors takes a lot of time and effort as well! Padded Armor costs 5 Gold Pieces, gives a +1 Armor Bonus, and has a +8 Maximum Dexterity Bonus Limitation. So until the Character gets above 27 in Dexterity they save 995 Gold Pieces by getting Padded Armor!

Having someone in the party Cast Mage Armor on the Character saves a Large Pile of Money Too!!!!

 

[WhatGravitas]

Basically: mage armor lasts a long time. He should just cast it every day, or he should suck it up and buy Bracers of Armor. IMHO the smarter wizard is the one who does not rely on AC to defend himself, but tastes differ.

Seconded. Also: He should rather pick up a Lesser Metamagic Rod, Extend for that money. It only costs 3,000 gp and he can apply it to nifty stuff like Rope Trick as well. Oh, and ready False Life. It's fun - esp. with that nifty rod.

At 6th level, the wizard can walk around for 12 hours, decked out in mage armor and false life with that little trinket!

Cheers, LT.

 

[frankthedm]

For the Armor Class Bonus that they give Bracers of Armor are too expensive.

I think that adding +3 Armor Bonus to each while keeping the costs the same would be about right. That would also make it match up better with the Mage Armor Spell as a side benefit!!

They are not supposed to match up to Mage Armor. Mage armor was given extra oomph and a generous duration to give a leg up to low level mages.

Bracer's cost match up perfectly to armor enhancement costs. Want 3 more points of AC? Enhance a suit of studded leather.

Although it is funny you say "+3" too expensive. They practically get a +3 property for free. Since the bracer AC is from planes of Force, it is like having 'Ghost touch" built in.

 

[Slaved]

Two important things here. I said Side Benefit and Bracers of Armor do not function anywhere near the level of Ghost Touch.

 

[jaelis]

... and Bracers of Armor do not function anywhere near the level of Ghost Touch.

Why not?

 

[frankthedm]

Bracers of Armor do not function anywhere near the level of Ghost Touch.

As far as players are concerned they certainly do. Unless the player has a specific Splat spell going or is a incorporeal undead, it is just as good as the ghost touch property.

Ghost Touch
This armor or shield seems almost translucent. Both its enhancement bonus and its armor bonus count against the attacks of incorporeal creatures. It can be picked up, moved, and worn by incorporeal creatures at any time. Incorporeal creatures gain the armor or shield’s enhancement bonus against both corporeal and incorporeal attacks, and they can still pass freely through solid objects.

Strong transmutation; CL 15th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, etherealness; Price +3 bonus.

 

[Hyperfist]

Bracers of Armor don't provide protection from incorporeal touch attacks. It only provides an armor bonus. Or is there a reference aside from the spells used to create the magic item?

 

[Nifft]

Bracers of Armor don't provide protection from incorporeal touch attacks. It only provides an armor bonus. Or is there a reference aside from the spells used to create the magic item?

Yep, it does; and yes, there is:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm#incorporeality

Cheers, -- N

 

[darthkilmor]

Bracers of Armor don't provide protection from incorporeal touch attacks. It only provides an armor bonus. Or is there a reference aside from the spells used to create the magic item?

Armor Bonus

An armor bonus applies to Armor Class and is granted by armor or by a spell or magical effect that mimics armor. Armor bonuses stack with all other bonuses to Armor Class (even with natural armor bonuses) except other armor bonuses. An armor bonus doesn't apply against touch attacks, except for armor bonuses granted by force effects (such as the mage armor spell) which apply against incorporeal touch attacks, such as that of a shadow.

and

Bracers of Armor

These items appear to be wrist or arm guards. They surround the wearer with an invisible but tangible field of force, granting him an armor bonus of +1 to +8, just as though he were wearing armor. Both bracers must be worn for the magic to be effective.

Moderate conjuration; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, mage armor, creator’s caster level must be at least two times that of the bonus placed in the bracers; Price 1,000 gp (+1), 4,000 gp (+2), 9,000 gp (+3), 16,000 gp (+4), 25,000 gp (+5), 36,000 gp (+6), 49,000 gp (+7), 64,000 gp (+8); Weight 1 lb.

relevant parts highlighted. Its a bit obtuse to be sure.