How difficult would it be to hit a wand?

[demon_jr]

I'm trying to come up with the AC for hitting a wand in my character's hand.

Here is what I came up with:

10 - base AC
+5 - character's dex bonus
+2 - deflection bonus from ring of protection
+5 - for being in my character's hand

22 - total

I got these figures from the PHB about attempting to attack an item.

So if my character was holding a wand and an opponent wanted to sunder or damage it, they would have to hit an AC of 22 right?

The PHB states that you add "magical deflection bonuses" to the AC of the object. Does that mean the literal "deflection bonus" such as that from the ring of protection or does it include magical bonuses to AC as well?

Would a shield spell add to the AC of attempting to strike an object carried by my character? I would assume so since it grants an cover AC bonus (I think. I'm not sure what type of AC bonus the revised shield spell gives.) I would think that the any beneft to AC you receive from cover also applies to any object you carry in your hands.

 

[dkilgo]

10 - base AC
+5 - character's dex bonus
+2 - deflection bonus from ring of protection
+5 - for being in my character's hand

22 - total

Your total is correct by what information you have given thus far.

Would a shield spell add to the AC of attempting to strike an object carried by my character? I would assume so since it grants an cover AC bonus (I think. I'm not sure what type of AC bonus the revised shield spell gives.) I would think that the any beneft to AC you receive from cover also applies to any object you carry in your hands.

I would have to say, "no". The shield spell gives you a cover bonus to AC, but not a deflection bonus. The PHB states on page 135 that ,"... and any magic defelction bonus to AC to character might have...". So, hence the only bonus to the AC would have to come from a defelction bonus, charcter's Dex bonus, or any enhancements that add to an items Dex score. Which I do not think that I have seen any enhancements that do that. I might be wrong.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Here is what I came up with:

10 - base AC
+5 - character's dex bonus
+2 - deflection bonus from ring of protection
+5 - for being in my character's hand

22 - total

You only forgot the +2 size bonus for being a tiny sized object.

See the DMG, page 206. It says a wand has an AC of 7, if you break that down it is:

10 (base) -5 (no dex) +2 (size) = 7

EDIT: And off course the wand also gets the same cover bonus as you have.

 

[Shin Okada]

Don't forget that attacking a wand in your hand is a different from sundering. So even someone with Sunder feat provokes AoA from you.

 

[mmu1]

Don't forget that attacking a wand in your hand is a different from sundering. So even someone with Sunder feat provokes AoA from you.

Or they would, if you threatened an area, but here you are, holding a wand...

 

[dkilgo]

Re: Re: How difficult would it be to hit a wand?

You only forgot the +2 size bonus for being a tiny sized object.

Oh yeah, I forgot that! OOPS!

Where does it say that the item held would gain the same cover bonus as the character would? I would really like to know. Thanks.

 

[Hygric]

Sunder feat doesn't allow you to hit a wand? That seems a bit silly to me. I guess that it is what the rules say from a technical stand point, but really... if a fighter can try to break someone's dagger, why not a wand? Is it that different?

If one wanted to take it to the logical conclusion, you could sunder a staff that is enchanted as a weapon, but not a spell-staff. You can sunder a rod of alertness, but not a rod of cancellation etc etc.

 

[Dash Dannigan]

If one wanted to take it to the logical conclusion, you could sunder a staff that is enchanted as a weapon, but not a spell-staff. You can sunder a rod of alertness, but not a rod of cancellation etc etc.

That makes sense. Afterall, they ARE using it as a weapon. The repeated strikes of weapon on weapon as they attempt to sunder their opponents weapon is far different from a wiz with a wand trying to play keep away from the big brauny barbarian.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Re: Re: Re: How difficult would it be to hit a wand?

Where does it say that the item held would gain the same cover bonus as the character would? I would really like to know. Thanks.

Logic dictates it. If you hide behind a tree you get a cover bonus to your AC, why should a wand be the only part of your equipment not affected by it ?

 

[Lothar]

Base AC for an object is 5. Add +2 for size. Total AC=7. Objects don't have dexterity modifiers.