Incorporeal Vs. Bracers of Armor

[DMFTodd]

Would Bracers of Armor apply for the incorporeal *touch* attack of a wraith?

DM, pg 78: "The physical attacks of incorporeal creatures ignore material armor...unless it is made of force" (which bracers are).

I argue that this says "physical attacks", that is not the same thing as touch attacks. Touch attacks very specifically state that they ignore armor. There's no allowance for the type of armor or the type of touch.

If this was a slam attack, then yes, the bracers would apply. Touch attack, no.

Anybody else?

 

[CRGreathouse]

I agree.

 

[CRGreathouse]

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[CRGreathouse]

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[AuraSeer]

That's my understanding too.
..derstanding too.
..derstanding too.

(Dang! Still skipping. Somebody, please, put a penny on the needle. )

 

[boothbey]

I would say depends on the type of armor bonus. Natural armor I would allow the wraith to ignore. A deflection bonus to AC would still protect the wearer.

 

[Taren Seeker]

Incorporeal touch attacs aren't true touch attacks. They're unique in that Bracers work against them. Check out incorp in the DMG for details.

All incorp creatures have their attacks listed as incorp touch.

Now, if a Wraith with class levels cast a touch spell on a PC, then Bracers wouldn't help.

 

[Tarek]

Mage Armor

Consider this: Why is a wraith's attack a touch attack rather than a slam attack or a claw attack? Because the wraith is incorporeal, and thus ignores physical armor.

I have not yet seen an incorporeal monster whose attacks were *not* touch attacks.

Therefore, it is clear to me that the Wraith's "touch attack" isn't REALLY a "touch attack" in the same manner as, say, Shocking Grasp. It is meant to simulate the effect of bypassing armor.

Mage Armor and Bracers of Defense do apply their bonus vs. the Wraith's touch attack. Ditto vs. Shadows.

Now, I do see the other side of the argument. I'll leave someone else to present it.

Tarek

 

[Caliban]

Would Bracers of Armor apply for the incorporeal *touch* attack of a wraith?

DM, pg 78: "The physical attacks of incorporeal creatures ignore material armor...unless it is made of force" (which bracers are).

I argue that this says "physical attacks", that is not the same thing as touch attacks. Touch attacks very specifically state that they ignore armor. There's no allowance for the type of armor or the type of touch.

If this was a slam attack, then yes, the bracers would apply. Touch attack, no.

Anybody else?

All incorporeal attacks are effectively touch attacks.

That statement would be pretty meaningless if it didn't apply to incorporeal touch attacks.

 

[DMFTodd]

Why is a wraith's attack a touch attack rather than a slam attack or a claw attack?

Because the writers wanted us to treat it like a *touch* attack rather than a slam or claw? That's my guess.

If they had wanted it to work as you describe, then it would be listed as "incorporeal slam". The rules would be very clear then.

Incorporeal touch attacs aren't true touch attacks.

Why not? What do you base that on?

That seems to be the argument. That these really aren't "touch" attacks. I can see that reasoning. What rule do we have to back that up? Or does it rely only on the "it makes sense" argument?

They're unique in that Bracers work against them. Check out incorp in the DMG for details

I did. The DMG says "physical attacks", it says nothing about touch attacks.