Mage Armor, Touch Attacks, and Incorporeal

[Jeb McDonald]

Making sure I've got this correct--Mage Armor (and Bracers of Armor for that matter) surround the recipient with a force field--if you will. Since touch attacks bypass armor, the touch attack bypasses Mage Armor, correct?
Secondly, both Mage Armor and/or Bracers of Armor help protect the wearer vs. incorporeal attacks. Again, am I interpreting the rules correctly? My apologies if this has been chatted into the ground.

 

[AuraSeer]

Yes, you're correct. Regular touch attacks ignore all armor bonuses. Incorporeal attacks ignore most armor bonuses, but not mage armor because it's a force effect.

 

[Thanee]

Note, that this is also true for shield bonuses, so touch attacks ignore the AC from the shield spell, but incorporeal touch attacks do not, since it's a force effect.

Bye
Thanee

 

[shilsen]

Note, that this is also true for shield bonuses, so touch attacks ignore the AC from the shield spell, but incorporeal touch attacks do not, since it's a force effect.

Bye
Thanee

Good point. That's a big change from 3e which I've seen people miss a few times on these boards.

 

[The Souljourner]

Yeah.. WoTC really screwed up when they called them "incorporeal touch attacks". They're not touch attacks at all... they're just incorporeal attacks. They act similarly, but have significant differences.

Incorporeal attacks ignore armor, natural armor, and shield bonuses that aren't either a.) force effects or b.) specifically say they work against incorporeal attacks.

That's all.

-The Souljourner

 

[UltimaGabe]

Note, that this is also true for shield bonuses, so touch attacks ignore the AC from the shield spell, but incorporeal touch attacks do not, since it's a force effect.

Bye
Thanee

Actually, the Shield spell is a deflection bonus, is it not...?

 

[Staffan]

Actually, the Shield spell is a deflection bonus, is it not...?

Nope, shield bonus. If you want a deflection bonus, use shield of faith or protection from evil.