Confusion in Monk's Belt

[Crosshair]

Another PC and I had a discrepency on a Monk's Belt. He said that as the DMG is worded you get the "AC Bonus" as written in the PHB. If you look at the monk description, it specifically says "AC bonus(EX)" for an entry, which would then entitle his character to the Wisdom bonus as well as the +1 to AC every 5th level.


I said no. You just get the +1 AC to bonus based on every 5th level because the second paragraph of the PHB "AC bonus" entry says.... blah blah... "These bonuses" denoting two separate bonuses and the DMG goes to say that the belt treats you as a 5th level monk for purposes of determining AC Bonus/Unarmed damage and the PHB refers to two bonuses: One based on level(The +1 every 5th level) and one not based on level (Wisdom bonus).


It's poorly phrased in places, but an answer would be appreciated.

 

[3d6]

If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th-level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus

I don't really see a way to read that other than the user of a monk's belt gets to add his or her Wisdom bonus to AC. If you're not adding your Wisdom bonus to AC, you don't have "the AC [...] of a 5th-level monk".

 

[Caliban]

I believe it's intended to just be the "+1 every 5 levels" AC bonus, but the monks AC bonus section is worded poorly, and included 2 different bonuses in the same section. (This is the ruling by the RPGA Living Greyhawk campaign administrators, and I believe they got it it confirmed by someone in WOTC R&D, but I don't have any links or documentation to back it up.)

Some people are more than willing to push for the full wisdom AC bonus, others think that it's a lot more than was intended.

This is another one of those debates that will not be resolved by looking at the text, because it's a magic item referring to a vaguely worded section of a class ability. Debates on it can (and have) gone on for pages without any consensus.

 

[wayne62682]

If the character is not a monk, she gains the AC and unarmed damage of a 5th-level monk. This AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus.

AC Bonus (Ex)

When unarmored and unencumbered, the monk adds her Wisdom bonus (if any) to her AC. In addition, a monk gains a +1 bonus to AC at 5th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every five monk levels thereafter (+2 at 10th, +3 at 15th, and +4 at 20th level).

I really don't see how it DOESN'T allow Wisdom to AC, since that's specifically listed under the Monk's "AC Bonus" ability. In fact, given that a Monk's Belt is 13,000 gold it makes sense for it to offer the Wisdom bonus, otherwise why bother to waste the gold on it when you're getting a measly +1 AC? For 13,000 gold? Ridiculous. It's clearly intended to offer both, or it's not worth 3,000 gold, let alone over four times that. If it doesn't allow the Wis bonus, that item just became pretty much worthless.

 

[Goreg Skullcrusher]

I really don't see how it DOESN'T allow Wisdom to AC, since that's specifically listed under the Monk's "AC Bonus" ability. In fact, given that a Monk's Belt is 13,000 gold it makes sense for it to offer the Wisdom bonus, otherwise why bother to waste the gold on it when you're getting a measly +1 AC? For 13,000 gold? Ridiculous. It's clearly intended to offer both, or it's not worth 3,000 gold, let alone over four times that. If it doesn't allow the Wis bonus, that item just became pretty much worthless.

Do note that you also get the unarmed strike damage of a 5th level monk, 1d8, which is considerably better than the standard 1d3. There aren't many ways of improving your unarmed strike damage without levels of monk. It offers these benefits together in a single item, and is useful for both monks and non-monks. 13,000 gp seems reasonable for that.

The ultimate conclusion we can draw is that the item is poorly worded, and you'll need to establish how the item functions in your game. The RPGA has set a precedent for just the +1 AC bonus, however.

 

[Corsair]

The ultimate conclusion we can draw is that the item is poorly worded, and you'll need to establish how the item functions in your game. The RPGA has set a precedent for just the +1 AC bonus, however.

Which as the detractors of the FAQ will be forced to agree, isn't "official".

 

[Fortain]

From the latest WotC FAQ:
Does a monk’s belt (Dungeon Master’s Guide, 248) grant
a non-monk wearer his Wisdom bonus to AC?
Yes. Note, however, that the wearer gains the AC bonus
only when unarmored and unencumbered, since the belt clearly
states that “this AC bonus functions just like the monk’s AC bonus."

Short answer: yes, the wearer of a Monk's Belt gains Wis-to-AC, as long as they are unarmored.

 

[Jack Simth]

It's just one of those things.

If you want to be an AC monkey, even for the group where Wisdom is going to be pumped up anyway (Clerics, Druids) the belt, due to its monetary price and opportunity cost (can't use either armor or shield).

With the price (13,000 gp), it's comperable to, oh, Mithral Fullplate (10,500 gp) (with some caveats - Monk's Belt applies to touch AC as well, for instance, but Mithral Fullplate works even if you are rendered unable to move).

Enchanting the fullplate costs the same as Bracers of Armor, so we'll ignore the magic aspect beyond what's listed.

Now, with Mithral Fullplate, you've got a maximum dexterity modifier of +3, and an armor bonus of +8, for a total AC increase of +11; if, for whatever reason, you don't take a shield anyway, then if your Dexterity Modifier + Your Wisdom modifier equals or exceeds that +11, the Monk's belt is superior. If you can use a shield, then you need to add +1 to +5 to that number (mundane buckler to a +1 Tower Shield) for what you're not getting from a shield - and that's before items to increase your stats; the +1 Tower Shield costs only a little over a thousand, while the Mithral Fullplate costs 10,500 - with both, you're still below the cost of the Monk's Belt.

That said, Clerics and Druids can do that, as can rogues and some arcane spellcasters ... but mostly only because they're pumping either Wisdom or Dexterity anyway. They can't usually pull it off until at least 10th, though.

 

[Quartz]

The problem with the Monk's Belt is that it's too good for very high level characters. It is a totally must-have item for any high-level caracter with a very good Wis. It's too good, purely for the AC.

Paladin in shining platemail? Uh-uh. Start with Wis 16, +6 enhancer, +5 Inherent, +1 level (Wis 28), Bracers of Armour +8, Monk's Belt. That's AC 27. Plus Dex. Plus Int if you're a duellist. Consider a Ftr 10 / Du 10 with 16 Wis, 16 Dex, 16 Int. +10 to each from Inherent Bonuses and enhancers. Bracers +8 and Monk's Belt. That's AC 36 straight off.

 

[Piratecat]

Paladin in shining platemail? Uh-uh. Start with Wis 16, +6 enhancer, +5 Inherent, +1 level (Wis 28), Bracers of Armour +8, Monk's Belt. That's AC 27. Plus Dex. Plus Int if you're a duellist. Consider a Ftr 10 / Du 10 with 16 Wis, 16 Dex, 16 Int. +10 to each from Inherent Bonuses and enhancers. Bracers +8 and Monk's Belt. That's AC 36 straight off.

With respect, AC 27 is ludicrously low for a high level character, and even AC 36 is just fine for PCs in the high teens.